340 [ FIRST AID TO THE INJURED 



body and just above the elbow. Fractured ribs may be 

 temporarily treated by fastening broad bandages around 

 the body, tying the knot on the side opposite the frac- 

 ture, as in Fig. 10. 



DISLOCATIONS AND SPRAINS 



A dislocation is the displacement of the bones of a joint. 

 Ordinarily, a physician is needed, and little can be done 

 before his arrival except to make the patient as com- 

 fortable as possible. 



A sprain should be kept very quiet. If possible, keep 

 the injured member in water as hot as can be borne 

 for l l / 2 hr. or more; then bandage with moderate firmness 

 in such a manner as to prevent any movement of the 

 joint, using splints for this purpose if necessary. 



EFFECTS OF HEAT 



Burns. -The general treatment of a burn consists in 

 relieving the pain, in combating the depression, and 

 increasing the warmth of the patient. The pain may 

 usually be relieved by excluding the air from the burned 

 portion; stimulants should be given, if necessary, to 

 relieve the depression. A covering of flour may be 

 spread over the burned surface; or bicarbonate of soda, 

 either in the form of paste or powder, can be used; any 

 oil, such as sweet oil, raw linseed oil, or carron oil, or 

 a dressing, such as vaseline, cold cream, etc., is 

 effective. 



In removing the clothing from over a burn or in 

 dressing it, the blisters should not be broken. If any 

 clothing adheres, it should be saturated with oil and 

 allowed to remain. The patient should not be exposed 

 to cold. 



Heat exhaustion is generally accompanied by weakness, 

 cool skin, pale face, weak voice, rapid and feeble pulse, 

 increased respiration, dim vision, and possibly by un- 

 consciousness. The patient should be placed in a 

 horizontal position with the head low, and stimulants 

 and hot applications should be administered. Occasional 

 doses of brandy should be given, also a teaspoonful of 



