HOME HELPS. 327 



fracture seldom extends far, as it is usually confined to one 

 bone ; in such cases the fracture may be a mere crack, as 

 in a pane of glass, and perfect quietude with the necessary 

 precautionary measures in keeping down inflammation, 

 and keeping off flies, may be sufficient. 



General Treatment. The object is not to cure broken 

 bones, but to get the broken ends into their proper places, 

 and keep them there. A door, a flour-sack cut open, a 

 sheet of bark, or a blanket fastened at the four corners to 

 two saplings, makes a hammock, on which an injured 

 person can be placed. In case of injury to the arm or hand, 

 a splint is helpful, but whatever is used let it be long 

 enough to reach from the elbow to a little beyond the ends 

 of the fingers. Cover this with anything soft, then not 

 only the arm but the hand will rest comfortably. The 

 hand must not hang lower than the elbow. In cases where 

 the patient is insensible, lay him gently in a dry, quiet 

 place, and in the most natural position possible. Keep the 

 mouth and nose clean, keep off flies or insects, and keep up 

 the heat of the body with warm clothes, tins of hot water, 

 stones, or anything handy. Stimulants should be used 

 with the greatest caution, as tending to excite and bring 

 on inflammation. 



Burns and Scalds. Keep the air from the injured 

 parts. Cover the injured parts ; cloth, cotton, if possible 

 (but anything in an emergency), white of an egg, flour, oil, 

 or starch, are useful agents for that purpose. W^hen a 

 person is discovered on fire, he or she should be brought to 

 the ground as speedily as possible, with the double object 

 of smothering the tire and covering the injured parts. A 

 coat, a blanket, a sack, anything that will keep away the 

 air and smother the fire should be wrapped around the 

 sufferer. Do not attempt to tear off the clothes ; smother 

 out the fire ; that is the best thing that can be done. Do 

 not take cff anything that adheres to the flesh. Cover all 

 sores with flour, white of egg, molasses, or soap, or 

 starch, or oil, and put poultices of bread or bran over any 

 burnt pieces of cloth that may cling to the wound. They 

 will come off freely in five or six days, when a new skin 

 has formed. Do not puncture or peel off any of the skin ; 



