Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/80

 MEDICAL 62 then alcohol must not be given unless haemor- rhage is under control. With an unconscious patient the lips and tongue should be moistened with the alcohol, but no attempt made to pour it into the mouth. The resourceful person is the most helpful, for in rendering first aid homely articles which lie at hand must be utilised, since surgical appliances can hardly be expected in the house, street, or field. These articles will show presently that splints, bandages, tourniquets, and stretchers can be extemporised from quite unpromising materials, and that they can be used by any person who takes the trouble to learn how to turn them to account. Knots Most exercises in first aid involve the tying of knots. This seems such a simple matter that many pupils assume they can do it easily. It is well to make the test before passing on to other work. Fold a handkerchief diagonally and tie the two ends with a double knot. Pull the handkerchief and see what happens. If the knot tightens it is a reef knot and is well done, but if the ends slip free, it is a "granny" knot, and is of no use for first aid purposes. Study the illustration, and practise knot-tying until it can be done without having to stop to think about method. Take one end in each hand, pass that in the right hand over that in the left, and make a single knot. Take that now in the right hand and pass it under that in the left, draw the end of it through to the front and pull both ends. (See illustration.) The Triangular Bandage Koller bandages are rarely at hand at the time of an accident, and their application is not within the provinces of first aid. Bandages must be used in many cases, and these have to be extem- porised. Pocket-handkerchiefs are usually forth- coming, and a large one folded cornerwise, or, better still, cut along this fold to make two, will prove serviceable. The short edge of the triangle should measure about 36 or 38 inches, but if less than this the bandage can be supplemented at the ends by lengths of tape or string. Even with such a simple thing as a triangular bandage there is only one right way of using it to many wrong ones, so the following directions must be observed : 1. To fold a triangular bandage, bring the point or apex over the middle of the base and crease the fokled edge, bring the folded edge to lie along the base, and crease the new fold. This gives a wide bandage, and a narrow bandage is made by folding a wide bandage lengthwise to half its width. 2. Stand as nearly as possible in front of the injured part. 3. Place the middle of the bandage on the part to be bandaged. 4. Never cross the ends more than once, and see that each end is carried round to lie fiat on its proper fold. 5. Tie with a reef knot, and see that the knot does not press on an injured part. Some Methods of Applying a Triangular Bandage A triangular bandage makes an excellent arm sling of which there are two varieties— narrow and broad. A narrow arm sling should always be u.sed when the arm is broken between the elbow and shoulder {see illustration), as the weight of the elbow pulls the fractured bone into position ; also when a dressing is applied to the shoulder. Note carefully that in applying .a narrow sling the end which passes over the uninjured side lies flat against the body and that the other end passes over the forearm to tie with the other on the shoulder. A broad sling is used to give support to the forearm. Spread out a bandage, and pass one end over the uninjured shoulder to the other side, arrange the apex under the injured arm, a little higher than the elbow, bend the arm in position, carry the other end upwards, and tie it with the other in a reef knot. Take the apex, bring it forward over the elbow of the injured arm, and pin it to the front of the bandage. (See illustration.) In applying either kind of sling it is important to see that the hand is at a higher level than the elbow and in such a position that the palm is towards the chest and the thumb pointing upwards. A triangular bandage is easily applied to the hand, and is useful for keeping dressings in place. Let the assistant spread out her hand to correspond with the patient's injured hand.. Place the bandage over the hand with the long edge just beyond the fingers and the apex towards the elbow. This covered hand makes a firm support for the patient's hand, which is placed as shown in illustration, while the assistant folds the apex over the patient's hand, arranges the sides in pleats, crosses the ends over, passes the ends round once, and afterwards, with both hands ties them with a reefknot. (See illustration.) A Knee Bandage The knee bandage is very useful when Httle folk fall and graze the knee. A folded piece of clean linen, dipped in cold water containing salt, or sanitas, or boracic acid, is spread over the injured part, the knee is slightly bent, the patient holds the point of the bandage well over the knee, the fulness is gathered in the hands and the ends are crossed behind the knee. One end is carried round above the knee and the other in a contrary direc- tion below it, and when they meet behind they are tied with a reef knot. (See illustration.) The Chest Bandage The chest bandage is of service for keeping a dressing or a poultice in position. The apex points upwards, the ends are crossed behind and carried over the shoulders, and pinned one to each side a few inches from the apex (see Ulustration), and thus when a poultice or dressing has to be changed, the triangular flap can be unpinned and turned back without disturbing the patient. Tf the poultice or dressing is required at the back, the crossing of the ends must be done in front. The Head Bandage The head bandage is often useful. Fold an inch or two of the Jong side upwards, and place the middle of the fold to the middle of the fore- head with the apex hanging loose behind the head. Lightly gather up the fulness of the short sides, and carry the folded edge over it. Cross the ends behind, well under the prominence at, the back of the head, bring the ends to the front, tie with a reef knot and tuck the loose ends in the fold. Pull the apex firmly down, fold it over the bandage crossing, and pin it with a safety-pin to the single fold that covers the head. (See illustration.) To b( continued itt Pari 2 of Every Woman's F;ncyci.opv«pja.