522 GENERAL SCIENCE 



it is not really as dangerous as plaster. But it also may seal up germs under it. 

 A good rule to adopt is to use it only on slight, cleanly-cut wounds made by 

 sharp instruments, and to have it removed by a surgeon if inflammation sets in. 



Slight Cuts (Skin Wound with Slight Bleeding). Such cuts 

 should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and hot water, and the bleed- 

 ing stopped by steady pressure with a little cotton which may be 

 wet with adrenalin solution. This preparation is of value only 

 in slight superficial bleeding and is useless in severe hemorrhage. 

 If the part cut was not very dirty at the time of injury, and the cut 

 was made by a clean instrument or substance, a little cotton may now 

 be applied and saturated with collodion, which dries and hardens 

 into a protective covering. This may be hastened by blowing on 

 it. The collodion should not be applied until the bleeding has 

 stopped and the edges of the wound are dry. It should never be 

 used where there is danger of infection from dirt that may have 

 entered the wound. In the case of scalp wounds the hair should be 

 clipped for half an inch or more around the edges to give opportunity 

 for cleaning and treatment. 



Iodine will kill all germs. Peroxide of hydrogen should not be 

 used if the wound is to be covered. 



Moderate Cut (Deep, or with Free Bleeding). Cuts of a more 

 serious grade than the above should have the bleeding stopped by 

 pressure with a small piece of gauze or cotton which may if possible 

 be wet with water as hot as can be borne. If this is not available, 

 ice or snow may be used, but pressure must be the main reliance. 

 The skin of the part and the edges of the wound should be thoroughly 

 washed scrubbed if possible with hot .water and soap, and then a 

 piece of cotton wet with the boric acid solution applied and retained 

 by a tight bandage, making sufficient pressure to stop the bleeding. 

 The same treatment should be used for a slight cut made with an 

 unclean instrument. In either case, the wound should be seen by a 

 physician as soon as possible. 



Severe Cut. A cut involving a large artery is recognized by the 

 jet of blood with immediate profuse hemorrhage. In such a case 

 firm pre sure by the finger at once at the point of injury is called for 

 to stop the bleeding, as otherwise the loss of blood may be so severe 

 as to cause collapse, or even death, while other measures are being 



