Hurry, ignorance and fatigue contribute to a steady incidence of accidents. The wheat thresher is one such machine causing mutilating hand injuries each harvesting season. The injury combines elements of cutting, crushing, and avulsion of skin and tendons.
Treatment is geared to achieve maximum possible salvage of hand function.
The management of such injuries is outlined. Our xperience shows that though we have been able to save the limb, fix the bones, in proper alignment and give stable skin cover, the functional recovery is poor. At present, the best solution appears to be to promote preventive measures. Bibliography With Abstracts, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. We are unable to supply copies of the full report cited in this entry.