tion with automobile accidents, it is well to remember that 

 gasoline is a good disinfectant. 



If the blood comes from a wound in jets or spurts, an 

 artery is bleeding, and the result may be serious if the flow is 

 not checked. Fortunately, at most parts of the body the 

 arteries are deeply buried in the flesh. A severed artery 

 calls for prompt action. Put firm pressure close to the bleed- 

 ing part, between the wound and the heart. In case the 

 wound is in the arm or the leg, the pressure is best applied 

 by tying a knot in the center of a folded handkerchief, and 

 laying this knot over the artery. Tie it loosely around the 

 limb, but with a good knot. Place a stick under the bandage 

 and twist it round and round until the bandage is tight 

 enough to stop the bleeding. 



The pain and swelling of an ordinary bruise will be much 



_» . . less if something cold is placed on the bruise 



Bruises and . , , , . & ., , . ^ , T . 



_ . at once to drive the blood away. Ice in a 



cloth may be used for this purpose, or simply 

 a cloth wrung out in cold water. 



If a joint has been sprained (which means that the liga- 

 ments that hold the bones together have been strained or 

 torn), the same treatment with cold cloths is very useful, 

 and should be kept up at intervals for twelve hours. In 

 old and enfeebled patients, hot wet cloths are better. The 

 injured part should be placed as high as possible, so as to 

 keep the blood out of it. 



If a bone is broken, medical care is, of course, necessary. 

 . While waiting for the doctor, the only thing 



to do is to keep the broken limb in as com- 

 fortable a position as possible. Above all, 

 do not let the limb bend at the place where the bone is 

 broken, because that gets the splinters of bone out of place, 

 and may drive them through the skin and lead to an infected 

 wound. If you find it necessary to lift a broken limb, put 

 one hand on each side of the break and lift it with both 

 hands at the same time. 



48 



