CUTS AND BURNS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 10, 11 July 1936, Page 28

CUTS AND BURNS

FIRST-AID MEASURES

DANGER IN NEGLECT

Comparatively few people realise the importance of treating minor injuries at once. . A serious gash, and they are full of concern; but the "hardly worth while cut" is usually neglected, with the result that dirt and germ-laden grease from the garage or repair shop are allowed to come in contact with the wound, writes J.W.H. in. "The Motor." Although.most of these small injuries are not actually dangerous in .themselves, and do not often lead to complications, much depends upon the individual. When overtired cr recover-

ing '-from one-: of- the>many ills that .beset us, the-germs-are able:.to., set .up infection more easily, ;^o;i:C£.\ v_ ■.

First aid, as it impljes,-" is the first attention' that is givenj to an' injury. So whether a piece of-dirtyJrag ,or ai clean sterile dressing is placed upon the. wound, it all comes under this Heading. Why not indulge in safety rirst and eliminate risk of infection by: making your first aid efficient? s ' This can- be done easily enough by noting the following-tips:— •' ■ •;■'. -•'"• .•-

Treat''all-wounds—even if they;only appear -to ■ be"; scratches—immediately. Do not/wait until the job in hand is completed,- or-think ;that because of the apparent slightness of the wound it is; of- ho- consequence. Dry wounds heal quickest.,'* It is ever so necessary to wash away dirt;. -Ensure that the skin-is dry-before' applying the dress-1 ing. ' -■' ■'',-'• : ■ • . :

The use-qf;iddine as1, an antiseptic is widely'appreciated and is certainly one of the safest. ■ Other forms of antisep-tic,--although eminently useful for the dick room,'require diluting, and as this provides ah element of risk it-is not desirable' that they should be used in an emergency. - ■. :

Bleeding usually yields to the pressure of the dressing. If this should i prove ineffective,'.then a constriction placed adjacent to the injury on the side of it nearest to the heart-will be found sufficient to control the loss of blood. This must never be kept in positiori'for longer than :fifteen minutes, but rarely "in-the case of minor injuries will-the need for this'arise.

Burns are- almost as prevalent as cuts, more so from those repairs which necessitate attention while the engine is still hot, and it is. surprising how really painful a small burn can be. The pain: can be eased by preventing -the air reaching the wound.- The best way is to make up a soothing solution composed of a teaspooriful of baking soda to a half-pint of lukewarm water. The part can be immersed, or lint soaked in this lotion can be applied to it. Ointment, grease, or oil (not mineral), may be. used as an alternative, but. the. former treatment will be found to give .more relief.. .Do. not hesitate to seek medical advice if things do not appear to be as they should be.

. The value of first aid lies in the speed at which it can be applied, so it is advisable to keep an outfit in the garage or, better still,'in the cubby-hole of the car. . . ..

This outfit need only be very small consisting of a small bottle of iodine, a bandage or two, lint,- cotton wool', pair of scissors, and a small packet of baking soda. The whole can be packed into a "50" cigarette' box, although aX inexpensive tobacco pouch will suit some people better as it obviates rattling while the'car is in motion.

A plea for co-operation among chemists, engineers, and oil refiners to create, a blended fuel which could successfully take the place of straight petrol without increasing cost to the motorist has been made by. an American engineer.. , He states his belief that motor engineers.are in sympathy with the idea of. .conserving petroleum resources and'will be glad to help in developing any workable plan. Compulsory use of alcohol in fue,l in other countries has not proved successful, he said, possibly because the . blended fuels were not suited- to the ■ engines,, but were forced into use-by law before the engine and fuel had been adapted to each other.

riding comfort, with :lower centre of gravity and seats between the- axles, !-low ..cost, becausebody, chassis, : .and as-; i "sembly will -: be simplified, twice .as ; many', miles i per gallon of fuel^while | touring,'because of deduced ;wirrdreI'sistance. -..-,'...'■ '.*■'.-;. .

■•• Overdrive.—This is -now. here; .rjiany more.cars will have'it in 1937,; and by 1940' most cars* will'be'equipped with it. The fuel ■economy possible-, with it, added to.-.reduced wear and tear and greater quietness, recommend the overdrive, and'the'public likes it .

Automatic Transmission.—The" possibilities of developing a fully-automatic transmission, completely free ."from driver-control and driver head-work, is-very remote, if indeed it is at all possible. The public, however, is interested .in effortless, rather than. automatic control. ! .'":-• ■•■■";, '

! .Streamlining.—Streamlining, scienl.tifically applied and properly co-ordin-ated; heed.'.riot be crude or grotesque— oh the contrary; it naturally blends into symmetry' and-beauty' in appearance. Streamlining can .bring about a reduction 'of 50; per cent, 'in petrol consumption.- - Wind:-tunnel tests have proved that •sjtreamiinihg.'can cut- wind resistance in 'half. ' :This reduction is easily accomplished- with a rear-'engined car and is possible also with a front-engine design. Streamlining—scientifically applied and attractively styled—is coming.

Chassis. Frame.—Elimination, of "the conventional frame has possibilities, but involves .production, difficulties.. It would eliminate convertible body types as production jobs. But unit body and frame construction has already appeared, and should appear in more front-engine models in 1940: It will appear as a logical part of rear-engine models, whenever, they come.'

Running Boards.—With low floors of cars, the running board is not required as a step, but it acts as protectorl for the lower body against stones and mud thrown by the front wheels. With a low-body floor and front wheels enclosed, a guard rail could be placed around the bottom edge of the body, eliminating the running board. ' i

Wheel Enclosures.—: Rear-wheel - enclosures are here, and front-wheel enclosure is desirable to prevent the throw of gravel and mud- But 'no design- has yet appeared for enclosing front wheels without making the car look grotesque and increasing the width of the front end.

On the enclosure of the bottom of the car the engineers had the following to 'say:—For several years engine/ring departments have been busy rounding off the corners of the front and sides and rear of cars and calling it streamlining. At the same time: advertising and; sales departments have been busy proclaiming the advantages resulting, from streamlining and the elimination of ■ unnecessary projecting units, as reflected in reduced air resistance and reduced gasoline consumption. But: very ; few have taken the trouble to look under the car to analyse, by authoritative tests, the turbulence and: air resistance created by the front axle and steering and fly-wheel housing. and, battery .box and muffler and rear axle, which; irregularly protrude into the air stream under the car and beat it into turbulence like an egg-beater operating upon its eggs. Wind-tunnel tests ponducted by the authors at-the University of Detroit indicate a reduction of 15 per cent, in the total air resistance of the car at touring speeds, which can be accomplished by providing a smooth enclosure under the main chassis units. ' "'