MISCELLAJfEOUS SUBJECTS AXD TABLES. 377 



WIL4.T TO DO IX CASE OF ACCIDENTS. 



By J. NoER, M.D., Stoughton, Wis. 



To consider the cause, nature, clTcct, and treatment of the 

 mukipUcity of injuries due to accidents is impossible, except 

 in a treatise devoted to the subject. The object here is to instruct 

 the layman to use his reason and good sense to aid the afflicted 

 till skilled help arrives. It is especially important that he refrains 

 from doing a lot of foolish things, and does not give or apply 

 remedies about which he knows nothing, the effects of which 

 are often more dangerous to the patient than the injury itself. 



The svmptoms demanding urgent attention after an injury are 

 usually shock, pain, bleeding, support, and adjustment of 

 mangled or broken limbs, protection to open wounds, burned 

 surfaces, bruises, etc. 



Wounds, — The all-important item in the treatment of wounds 

 or cuts is absolute cleanliness or asepsis. Asepsis can be secured 

 by having everything that is to be used for the wound boiled just 

 I efore applying it. 



Before dressing a wound: 



ist. Wash vour hands, scrub and clean finger-nails thoroughly 

 v;ith soap and hot boiled water. 



2d. Wash the limb or parts around cut or wound with boiled 

 Avatcr and soap, being careful not to wash dirt from around the 

 lore into it. 



3d. Wash out the wound with hot boiled water. If there 

 is still oozing from the cut surfaces, press clean cloths 

 wrung out of boiled water as hot as hands can bear against 

 the bleeding surfaces till it stops. 



4th. Draw the edges of the wound together with strips 

 of court-plaster. 



5th. Lay over the wound so as to cover it well ten to 

 twelve thicknesses of clean boiled and baked dry cheese- 

 cloth, sheeting, or linen, and fasten on with a bandage. \ 



6th. Let the injured parts be at rest. If you havj 

 secured asepsis and gotten the edges of the wound togethev 

 closely, keep the wounded parts at rest for from three to six 

 days; the wound will then heal untltoiit pain or pus, ariri 

 •vithout swelling, inflammation, or fever. Don't hinder 



