CHAPTER XIV 

 FIRST AID TO THE INJURED 



470. Prompt Aid in Common Accidents and Emergencies. 



What we have studied in the preceding chapters will 

 become tenfold more interesting, instructive, and valuable 

 to us, if we are able to supplement such study with its 

 practical application to the treatment of the more common 

 and less serious accidents and emergencies. 



While no book can teach one to have presence of mind, 

 a cool head, or to restrain a more or less excitable tempera- 

 ment in the midst of sudden danger, yet assuredly with 

 proper knowledge for a foundation a certain self-confidence 

 may be acquired which will do much to prevent hasty action 

 and to maintain a certain amount of self-control. 



471. Hints as to what to do first. Retain so far as pos- 

 sible your presence of mind ; or, in other words, keep cool. 

 Act promptly and quietly, but not with haste. Whatever 

 you do in the presence of danger, do in earnest ; and never 

 act in a half-hearted manner. Be sure and send for a doctor at 

 once if the emergency calls for skilled service. All that is expected 

 of you is to tide over matters until the doctor comes. 



Make the sufferer comfortable by giving him an abun- 

 dance of fresh air and placing him in a restful position. 

 Loosen all tight articles of clothing, as belts, collars, cor- 

 sets, and elastics. 



472. Contusion and Bruises. An injury to the soft tis- 

 sues, caused by a blow from some blunt instrument or by a 



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