346 FIRST HELP IN ACCIDENTS 



6. Sprains. A sprain is a severe straining or tearing of 

 the ligaments surrounding a joint. In the milder forms these 

 are only greatly stretched, but in the more severe cases they 

 are torn entire or in part, in some cases being even complicated 

 by a tearing off or breaking of the ends of the bones forming 

 the joint. Every joint may suffer from a sprain, although it 

 is most frequently met with in* the ankle. 



The symptoms of a sprain are : severe pain in the affected 

 joint, both upon motion and at rest ; swelling sets in usually 

 soon after the receipt of the injury, and blood soon makes its 

 appearance under the skin, coming from the ruptured blood- 

 vessels. 



The best immediate relief that can be given is to place the 

 joint in hot water, as hot as can be borne, and keep it there 

 for several hours, or until the doctor arrives, adding hot water 

 as it cools. Should medical aid not be obtainable, then take 

 the limb out of the hot water after two hours, and bandage it 

 firmly, well below and above the joint, so as to give the great- 

 est support and prevent all motion. 



7. Burns and Scalds. The secret of the best treatment of 

 these injuries is to exclude the air from the wounded surfaces. 

 When they are slight, and the skin is not destroyed, but merely 

 blistered, prevent the displacement of the skin as much as 

 possible. Let the blisters be punctured, if necessary, to let 

 out the liquid, and then keep the skin in place by cotton cloth 

 or lint, wet with a solution of one teaspoonful of carbolic acid 

 in a quart of water, or a strong solution of baking soda. The 

 cloth should be kept wet constantly, but do not irritate the 

 wound by taking off the dressing too often. 



Extensive burns are much worse than deep burns. In the 

 former case, the outlook is grave, and the patient will probably 

 require the best aid, both medical and surgical, of some 

 physician. 



Scars after Burns. If a burn be on the face, neck, or near 



6. Sprains, description, symptoms, immediate relief? How treated if medical aid is not 

 obtainable ? 



7. Burns and scalds, best treatment ? What are the worst burns ? What about scars ? 

 Spontaneous combustion ? What should be done when a. woman's cloth.es are on fire ? 



