Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/650

 By MARY WESTAWAY (Associate of the National Health Society) "Wounds and Their Treatment {co7itifzued)—Yio^ to Treat Bruises 4. A punctured wound is such as results from a stab with a sharp instrument, and, although it may not appear a great injury, it is really more serious than a surface wound of greater extent. If bleeding occurs, arrest it by the method described in Part 3, and cover the wound promptly with a clean pad soaked with an antiseptic dressing, be it even onlv water with salt or vinegar or water which has been sterilised by being boiled. 5. A poisoned wound is less rare than is commonly imagined, for bites and stings from certain animals, insects, and plants introduce poison which causes irritation or ma>' lead to serious consequences. The two great points to attend to in the treatment of such wounds are to prevent access of the poison to the circula- tory system, and to a p p 1 y a n antidote which shall neutralise the poison. Thus, with such a wound occurring on any part of a limb, a string or bandage should be immediately tightly tied round th^e limb between the wound and the heart, and rather than lose a second the limb should first be firmly grasped and compressed with the hand to prevent blood flowing from the wounded part towards the heart. Bleeding must be encouraged, so IS to get rid of as much poison as possible "^^^ immediate treatment of a dog or cat bite and this is done by sucking the wound (provided there is no wound or abrasion on the lips or in the mouth of the helper) or by holding the injured part in lukewarm water. The antidote depends upon the cause of the wound. A bite from a cat or a dog should receive medical attention. Until the doctor arrives the wound should be t-overed with a clean cloth pad dipped in carbolic solution (i part of carbolic acid in 20 parts of water) or a strong solution of boracic acid, and the ligature must be kept around the limb until the wound has been cauterised. If medical aid is not available, the wound should be cauterised with lunar- caustic, nitric acid, or red-hot iron, and the burnt part kept covered with boracic oint- ment spread on lint until the wound is healed and the skin sloughed. It must always be remembered that wounds on the exposed parts of the body are more serious than those in which clothing has been bitten through, for the fabric dries up the saliva containing the poisonous matter, and renders the teeth comparatively innocuous. Wasps and bees frequently leave the sting behind, and this must be pulled out before the antidote is applied. Ammonia is the best antidote, and a prompt application eafes the pain and prevents swelling. Vaseline, olive oil, soda, salt, and the laundry blue- bag are homely reme- dies which are of great service. Mosquito and gnat bites are eased in the same way, but as bites and stings generally occur in coun- try fields and lanes where domestic reme- dies are not at hand, it is best to look around for a dock leaf to spread over the wound. This can generally be found growing near a nettle bed, as though Nature had placed it there specially as an antidote to the poison of nettles — which, indeed, it is — as well as to that of noxious insects. Even a late application of an antidote is better than none at all, and should there be much irritation and swelling caused by the delay, rubbing the affected part with a lump of damp salt will be found to give great ease. Fortunately, poisonous snakes are not common in this country. Vipers give a dangerous bite, which should be treated immediately by the method described in connection with a bite from a dog or cat, and medical aid must be promptly sought. How to Treat Bruises A bruise is an injury caused by a fall or by a blow from a blunt instrument. Although the skin is uninjured, the small blood-vessels underneath it are ruptured, and it is the