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Classic
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page 428
when the body is heated and exhausted, and a cold bath is often fatal under such
circumstances.
BURNS AND SCALDS.--First put the fire out. If the clothing is on fire, throw the
person on the ground and wrap in carpet, rug, or your coat, if nothing else is
at hand. Begin wrapping at the neck and shoulders, and keep the flames away from
the neck and face, so as to prevent breathing the hot air and consequent injury
to the lungs. If prostration and shock or fainting is produced, a little brandy,
repeated often until there is a revival of strength, should be given. A
superficial burn covering a large surface is often more dangerous than a deeper
one confined to less surface. If there is any cause for apprehension that the
hot air has been inhaled, send for a physician at once. If the burn is slight in
character, apply the water-dressing, by placing two or more thicknesses of old
linen (from table-cloth or sheet), slightly dampened over a surface a little
larger than the wound; fasten on by slips of sticking-plaster, or tie on with
bandages, and keep it wet by frequent applications of water. When the pain has
moderated a dressing of pure hog's-lard is one of the best. It may be purified,
when doubtful, by boiling in water until the salt and impurities have settled,
and then set away to cool until the floating lard hardens; this is gathered,
placed in a bowl, set in hot water, and kept hot until all the water in the lard
has passed off, when it is ready for use. A good dressing for a slight burn or
scald is the white of an egg, applied with a soft rag or brush, applying fresh
as the first layer dries; a lather of soap from a shaving-cup often allays pain,
and keeps out the air. If so serious that a physician has been sent for, it is
better not to apply any thing, as it may interfere with his examination and
treatment of the case. In cases too severe for the mild treatment given above,
send at once for a physician.
BURNS BY ALKALIES.--Such as lime, caustic potash, soda, ammonia, etc., are
stopped in their progress by applying vinegar, lemon-juice, or other dilute
acid; they must be then treated like other burns.
BURNS FROM ACIDS.--Such as oil of vitriol and aqua fortis may be checked by the
free application of water or handfuls of moist earth. The first dilutes the
acid, and the second contains alkali enough to neutralize the acid.
FRACTURE.--Send at once for a physician, and simply make the patient as
comfortable as possible. If he is to be conveyed to some distance, the fractured
part should be supported in its natural position by handkerchiefs loosely tied.
Allow no more handling than is absolutely necessary.
WOUNDS.--If an artery has been severed, and the blood spurts out at each
heart-beat, press on the point of division firmly with the finger, to diminish
the size of the blood-vessel, until a clot is formed. If this does not produce
the desired effect, find the artery which supplies the wound, and press it as
firmly as possible. If this is not successful, place the patient on his back,
and hold up wounded arm or leg, and compress the artery by placing a large, firm
knot in a handkerchief over it, tying it about the limb, and tightening it by
passing a stick through it, and twisting it until the flow is stopped. When the
bleeding ceases, remove the foreign substances and the clots by a stream of
water from a sponge, and bring the edges carefully together, holding them in
place by strips of adhesive plaster. The best dressing is the "water dressing;"
but it must be used with an adhesive plaster which is not dissolved by water. If
chilliness appears from the use of water, it must be discontinued for a time.
After twenty-four hours the linen dressing may be removed, and renewed if the
wound is clear of discharge of blood or other material; and the same treatment
must be continued, remembering that all foreign substances are injurious and
should be removed. Whenever
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