CARE OF CUTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20384, 12 October 1929, Page 7 (Supplement)

CARE OF CUTS

" Oh. it is only a little cut," has often been heard, and yet quite small pinpricks liavo led to blood poisoning. Of all wounds perhaps those caused in the garden need tho earliest attention, for the genn that causes lockjaw is found in garden soil in many parts of tho country. Of course, of tho hundreds of injuries of this nature that occur, onlv a very few ever becomo infected with this deadly germ, states an overseas writer. All cuts should 1)0 thoroughly washed —a littio bleeding does no harm durni'; this operation, dirt should be removed, and then tho cut surface painted with iodine; a piece of clean lint handled as littlo as possible, may then bo applied, next to a piece of wool, and the whole secured by some adhesivo plaster or a few turns ot bandage. Stamp paper should never bo used for even a tiny cut, as the gum is made from materials, which aro seldom pure. In tho caso of a series of abrasions about Ihe face, or other parts of the body, after first aid has been rendered it would be wise to get a doctor to give a protective inoculation for lockjaw, as (heso are just the kind of cases in which 71 might occur.