150 PHYSIOLOGY AND TEMPERANCE. 



may be lost, but as the current is towards the heart it has 

 not so much force. It flows evenly and is of a dark purple 

 color. If the capillaries only are cut, the blood oozes gently 

 from the wound. 



4. Bleeding from an Artery. The arteries are found 

 in nearly every part of the body. Wherever it is possible, 

 they are situated deep down in the tissues. The larger 

 trunks usually occupy the most protected situations, and 

 generally run in a very straight course. They are therefore, 

 fortunately, not so frequently cut or injured as the veins, 

 which run near the surface, and are more tortuous and more 

 exposed. When an artery is cut, it calls for prompt action, 

 and requires some presence of mind. If the artery is large, 

 there is no time to be lost. Let us remember two things to 

 be done, even if we forget everything else. Put firm pressure 

 directly on the Heeding part, and also on the artery some- 

 where above the wound, that is, between it and the heart. 

 To apply pressure on the wound, take a pad made of some 

 firm substance, such as a flat cork, a smooth, flat stone, a 

 roll of paper, a penny, or whatever is within reach, and tie 

 it firmly with a handkerchief or a triangular bandage folded 

 narrow. 



To apply pressure on the artery above the wound, we must 

 know the most suitable places. Gen- 

 erally speaking, we can arrest bleeding 

 from any part of the arm by pressing 

 upon the artery in the arm-pit, and 

 from any part of the leg by pressing 

 upon the artery in the groin. The 

 pressure is best applied by taking the 

 narrow folded bandage, or handker- 

 FIG. 45. showing how a tri- chief, tying a knot in its centre, plac- 



angular bandage and a stick . .-, . , JIT ji 



may be applied to the arm to ln S thlS knot Over the lme f the 



stop bleeding. artery, and tying it loosely but with 



