CHAPTER XXXVIII 

 FIRST AID 



Accidents often occur without warning. Something 

 happens suddenly that endangers our life, or that of others. 

 Minutes, even seconds, count. If we do not know what to 

 do, precious time is lost. But knowing how to apply 

 first aid steadies us, whether we have to serve ourselves 

 or another. If we are helping another, our own sure- 

 ness gives the patient confidence and self-control. 



Serious accidents are common occurrences in this 

 machine age. But even the small cuts and bruises and 

 burns, if denied prompt and proper attention, may become 

 serious. 



Surely some day each and every one of us will face a 

 first aid emergency, great or small. So there is a very 

 real need for studying first aid. It enables us to meet the 

 emergencies of everyday life and gives us the power to 

 render great help in time of need. 



An accident which requires quick action to insure safety is 

 called an emergency. Every one knows that, in spite of all pre- 

 cautions, accidents and illnesses needing immediate attention 

 happen daily. Few persons, however, realize how large a number 

 of cases occur where first aid may render valuable service. In a 

 certain lumbering district nearly five thousand accidents happened 

 within less than six months. Casualties occur frequently wherever 

 any number of automobiles are in use. On the public highways 

 of the United States during a single year there were over 

 770,000 casualties. Even in the household many accidents 

 occur. One accident insurance company, in a recent report, 

 says that nearly twenty-eight per cent of the number of claims 

 paid for accidental injuries were for injuries received in and 

 about the household. 



Doctor Agnew of Philadelphia once said: "Every surgeon 

 knows full well that in many cases of injury the crisis is reached 

 before the patient arrives at the hospital gate, and the lack 



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