HEALTH NOTES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4396, 29 June 1901, Page 3 (Supplement)

HEALTH NOTES.

HOW TO ACT IN EMERGENCIES (By Dr Edward Soy.) In almost every life there comes, sooner or later, -some moment when on© is called upon to act with promptitude and energy-to avert a disaster or remedy a mistake. Common-sense is a valuable factor on such occasions, but to have a little useful knowledge “at one's finger ends” is very desirable, ’and these possessions, coupled with presence of mind, are undoubtedly most essential when an emergency necessitates one’s taking the part of-amateur dqctor or nurse, such, for instance, as a case of sudden illness or an accident, where there is unavoidable delay or difficulty in obtaining the assistance of a medical man In the limited space at my disposal I shall endeavour, in as simple a manner as possible, to give practical suggestions upon such emergencies as are most likely to occur in a household, or in the pursuit of one’s occupation, such as fainting, burns and -scalds, shock, sprains and bruises, bleeding from nose, arteries or veins; poisoning and fracture. FAINTING • may be caused by an’overcrowded or overheated room; any kind of sudden shock or disagreeable sight, or. by tight lacing. It generally comes on with a feeling of giddiness and fluttering at the heart. The face and lips lose their colour, and the person becomes insensible. Immediately ‘lay the patient in a recumbent position with the head lower than the body) this position. wbifh places the Head on a level with or even below, the heart, enables the blood to circulate more freely to the brain. When the circulation is restored, the patient will regain consciousness, and should be removed into the open air. The application of cold 'water upon the face, accompanied with a draught of cold air, w r ill enable him to breathe, 'and so cause the blood to circulate freely. BURNS are caused by hot solid substances or by flame; scalds by hot fluids. In the case of a woman being set on fire by her clothing, at once lay her down upon the floor. If it is the front part of her dress that, is alight, lay her upon her back; if the reverse, upon her face or on her side. The reason for this lies in the fact that flames ascend perpendicularly, and were she allowed to remain standing, they wmuld ascend and envelop the face and neck. This prompt action, which also entails the necessity of ’enfolding her in rugs, coats, or any woollen covering nearest to hand, will also serve to prevent the possibility of an attempt beinv made to rush either from room to room or into the open air. In the case of a burn or scald, there may be only a slight redness of the skin, or complete charring of the tissues. No attempt must be made to remove the clothes over the part affected, as tissue might be torn "away in doing so, and no blister should be pricked except by the medical man. Place the iniured limb in warm water in order to exclude the air; then procui’e any oil (except mineral). If lime water is within reach, mix equal parts of lime water and oil. Stir these until the mixture becomes of ’a creamy substance and carbon oil is obtained. Spread the ■mixture very thickly upon soft rags, lint, or cotton -wool, and well cover the injured part- after removing from warm water. When completely covered, bind with folds of cotton wool or handkerchief. If'no oil is obtainable, use flour, whiting or “prepared chalk made into a paste for covering the burnt surface. If the pain is very severe, a strong solution of ‘carbonate of soda and warm water may be applied as a lotion. Great care must he “taken of even slight burns on the throat and below the chin. Attention must now “be directed to the patient in allieviating the effects of the shook to the system which must have necessarily resulted. Internal heat must be generated by the administration of warm drinks, such as milk or tea, and ■warm covering placed over the body, "and the patient kept quiet. SPRAINS AND BRUISES.

Sprain is generally due to a violent wrench, or twist of the joint, often' accompanied by laceration of the tendons and soft tissues around. Symptoms—severe localised pain, increased on movement;' inability to sustain any weight; swelling; effusion of blood in and around joint. The joint should be placed at perfect rest tc prevent or subdue inflammation. Very hot fomentations, followed by bandages firmly applied, and, if much swollen, parts oluced in a sling or otherwise supported, for slight sprain, a few days rest, with the wet bandages, “followed by the use of a stimulating liniment, will be found efficient. Bruises, or contusions of a part, with a laceration “of the skin such as may b„ inflicted by a blow, should not have the edges brought together by strappings or plais'ters. Soak a piece of lint or soft rag in a spirit lotion composed of one-third of alcohol and two thirds of cold water; lay lightly "over the wound. For severe bruises use a flannel wrung out with hot water, and apply the spirit lotion. If near a joint, 'apply a splint or support to prevent movement. HEMORRHAGE. Nose-bleeding.—When excessive, open the window, and leave neck free from "any pressure Place patient on couch, and raise the arms to full extent above the "head and behind it. Apply cold sponge or ice to back of neck between 'shoulders and over the forehead, if the bleeding continues. syringe the nose with cold "water or a strong solution of alum and water or cold tea. and. if necessary, a plug for th e nostril may be inserted in the shape of a tightly-rolled corner of handkerchief. Arterial bleeding "is recognised by the blood spurting out in jets, the jets corresponding to the pulse or beats of the heart. Can. only be arrested by pressure on the point itself, or between the wound and the heart. Pocket handkerchiefs may be tied together for bandages and then "placing a pad on the vessel; a means of tightening thp, bandage is all that is necessary. This can be done by passing a small stick, key, or pencil between the Bandage and twisting the now formed tourniquet to make it sufficiently tight until the arrival of the doctor. Bleeding from veins can be easily distinguished by its dark "colour, purple or bluish black. The blood comes in a thick, uniform stream, or simply wells up in 'a dark, oozing flow. To arrest, moderate pressure with the thumb will be •sufficient. If in the limb a hard "pad can be placed over the wound and tightly bandaged. If a varicose vein, pressure on the wound will be sufficient, but if a large wound opening up a varicose vein, pressure both above and below is necessary. Always elevate the limb. A vein bleeding from the neck must be stopped by‘pressure of the thumb until the doctor arrives. POISONS.

For the treatment of narcotic poisoning an emetic should be administered; either a dessertspoonful of mustard in a break-fast-cupful of hot water, or a table-spoon-ful of table salt. The patient must be

-cm nvake by walking him about ami giving him copious drinks o-' strong black coffee. Where acid or corrosive poisons have been taken, such.as oxalic and carbolin acid, caustic potash and soda, and where the symptoms can be discovered by the marks and stains on the Ups. never trive an emetic, but administer linseed or salad o ; l -barley water. Give alkalis, a teasnoonful of ma-rnesa or cha’k, or even scraping from ceilincr or kitchen whitimr. For alkaline poisoning administer acids, such as vinegar, the acetic acid'contained in it counteracting the action of the alkali. For arsenic and allied metal poisons, grve as an emetic the ’’mustard or salt as prescribed for narcotic poisoning. Raw eggs, milk, or strong tea are all effective.