AMBULANCE WORK.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9933, 1 August 1908, Page 6

AMBULANCE WORK.

INTERESTING LEOTUEE BY

DR. COOK

The Mastertou Branch of the St. Johu Ambulance Brigade held a wellattended meeting in Dominion Hall, Thursday]uight. Dr Cook, Hon. Surgoon, in the courso of an address, explained generally the functions of various wounds and injuries to skin poisojs, etc. In the treatment of -wounds the doctor impressed upon tho members .the necessity for absolute cleauliuess. Antiseptics should bo used aud all dressings thoroughly cleaused. The use of lysol, as a lotion, was recommended in tho proportions of one teaspoouful to a pint of water. Lacerated wounds, he said, wore caused by blunt or sharp instruments, or the claw of an animal. Tho parts were torn unequally, so that the surface of tho skin hai a ragged appearance. This kind of wouud soldom bled much. Pnuctnred wounds were caused by the stab of a knife, bayonet or auy sharp instrument. The troatmeutVas to clean the wouud and hold together the incised edges by means of nu adhesive plaster iv strips. Discussing frost-bite, the doctor said that during cold weather, such as was recently experienced in the South island, parts"of the body, usually the extremities, lose their sensation, aud have a purple appearance, throng!) cougostiou of blood. The patient should not be brought into a warm room until, by friction, or rubbing with soft snow, the sensatiou aud circulation iv frostbitten parts are restored. Through neglect* of this precaution, death may occur in parts affected. Treatment for burns was briefly described as folows:—(1) Remove carefully all clothing over the injured part; (2) immediately cover up the wound from the air. When the skin is merely reddened the air may bo excluded by applying flour, whiting, etc., aud tnen bandaged with a thick layer of cotton wool. The favourite remedy that is used in connection with charred or blistered surface is to make a mixture iv equal parts of linseed oil aud lime water. When an oily mixture is applied the charred part should bo enveloped in cotton wool. Severe shock, which accompanied every burn of any size, must be dealt with by applying warmth to the body aud giving the patient warm driuKS. Should tho person's clothes catch fire, and is severed from assistance, the best method to is roll on the ground and not rush outside. If assistance is at hand the patient should be smothered immediately with some thick material. The bites of auimals were then explained by the doctor, and the various means of remedying the same were propounded. Hydrophobia was caused by the bite of an animal suffering from rabies. Animals, such as dogs aud cats, become rabid. The poison is contained iv the auimuls saliva aud is sometimes conveyed on the teeth beneath the skin, aud thus into the blood of human beings. Tlie treatment was:(l) Prevent venous blood from carrying poison through the body by placing a constriction between the wound and the Heart; (2) Sack wound vigorously provided that lips are sound, spitting out saliva; (3) The wouud must then be burued by fluid caustic, applied to the wouud by a sharpened piece of wood; (4) Dress the wound clean with clean bandages. The above treatment is also suitable for snake bites. For foreign bodies in the eye the treatment was to tnrn up the top of the lid inside out aud lower down. Bathe the eye .with the following lotion: One part vinegar to 4 of water. The doctor also described the treatment of alcoholic and opium poisouing. Soma special facts were worthy of note. When a person swallowed a pot-son and threatens to go to sleep lie should be kept awake. When there are no stains about the mouth, give the patient an emetic,also milk, eggs aud strong tea. When stains are about the mouth give him milk, eggs and oils, but no emetic. A simple and useful emetic is a tablespoonful of salt iv a tumblerful of lake warm water. In all cases, any vomited matter and food or other substance suspected of being poison should be preserved. At the conclusion of the lecture practice in artificial respiration was held, and Professor Schaffer's new method was described.