Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-05-21
What to Do in Emergencles.

pOSsBs5lOug anu lne eNeIClSB OF n certain
amount of common sense, will enable
one to be of the greatest use at such
times, and perhaps even the means Of
saving life itself.
Every household should have q store
of simple remedies, and also antidotes
for some of the more common kinds of
poisOns, They should be kept where
they are easily accessible, not in a
locked closet of which the key is sure TO
be lost at the very moment when it is
most needed, and in a place well
known TO each member of the family.
In very severe cases of burns or scalds
the nervous system is so prostrated by
the shock that there is often less suffer-
ing than when the injury is slighter.
The pulse will be small and quick and
stimulant should be administered
without waiting for the doctor. A
teaspoonful of raw brandy, or table
spoonful in an equal quantity of water,
may be given.
The whole theory of dressing is to
exclude the air The more effectually
this is done the greater will be the relief
afforded.
When only a small surface is injured,
an artificial skin may be formed with
flexible collodion; or if that is not at
hand common mucilage or gum arabic
dissolved in warm water will answer.
As one layer dries another should be
painted over it.
CarrOn oil is an excellent remedy. II
is a mixture of lime water and sweet or
linseed oil in equal parts. 1t is said to
derive its name from town in England,
the seat of large iron works, where its
virtues were first discovered and where
there was ample opportunity to test its
merits.
The honor of introducing ether to the
world as an an@sthetic belongs, in part
/ at least, to a Boston dentist, and it was
one of the same fraternity who disCov-
cred the efficacy of bi-carbonate of soda
in the treatment of burns and scalds. Is
Is related that in order TO demonstrate
its good effects he suffered a stream of
boiling water to be poured on his wrist,
then applied the soda, and in miracu-
lously short space of time every trace Of
soreness had disappeared.
The common kind used for cooking
purposes may be employed. A thick
layer should be spread over the part and
covered with a light wet bandage, keep
ing it moist and renewing it when nee
essary.
When the clothing takes fire it is well
if the victim have presence of mind to
stand perfectly still. Motion fans the
flame and causes it to burn more quick
ly. He may throw himself on the floor
and roll over and over, but never move
from place to place seeking help. A
woolen shawl, piece of carpet, or rug,
may be wrapped tightly around the per-
son, not covering the face, and if there
is time to wet it so much the better, but
there is not an instant to lose, particu-
larly if the clothing is of cotton. The
great object is to prevent the flames
from getting down the throat and the
chest from being burned.
In severe cut on the finger, when
the flow of blood renders dressing it a
matter of difficulty, it may be checked
by tying a string tightly around the
base of the finger. 1t must then be
washed i'm cold water and the cut can be
dressed at leisure with diachylon or
court plaster, and the string removed.
Bleeding from the nose may be stop
ped by lying flat on the back, with the
head raised, and the hands held above
it. The nose must be covered with q
cloth filled with pounded ice, or wrung
out of ice-water. The head should
never be held over a basin, as the posi-
ton encourages bleeding. The blood
may be received in wet sponge.
When any one coughs or spits up
blood the first thought is that it must
be from the lungs. A slight knowledge
of the characteristics of the blood from
different parts that may come through
the mouth will sometimes save much
needless anxiety.
Blood from the lungs is always bright
red in color, because it has Just been
purified by contact with the air. 1t is
frothy, mixed with mucus, in small
quantity, and is usually coughed up.
Blood from the stomach is dark red,
almost black, is mixed with particles of
food, comes in large quantities and is
vomited.
Blood from the mouth and gums is of
a red color and usually mixed with
saliva. Unless it has first been swal-
lowed, it is not vomited or coughed up.
In hemorrhage from the lungs the
head and shoulders must be raised
Some physicians recommend table
spoonful of table-salt to be given in a
tumbler of water. 1t is always safe to
give cracked ice.
Bleeding from the stomach may be
checked by the application of mustard
plaster over the stomach; cracked ice
should be given and the doctor sent for.
In bleeding from wounds or recent
amputation there are three things that
may be done:
First, press the finger or the hand over
the bleeding point.
Second, press on the main artery sup
plying the wound, or. if this can not be
found, apply bandage as tightly as
possible above the wound. An excellent
tourniquet may be improvised by knot.
ting a handkerchief loosely around the
limb, thrusting short stick through il
Sand twisting it tight.
The blood from an artery is bright red
and comes in spurts with each beat OF
the heart, while that from the veins is a
dark purplish color and flows in a steady
stream. When the bleeding is from an
artery the pressure should be applied
between the wound and the heart, wher
from a vein the limb must be compressed
beyond the wound.
Third, raise the part above the res
of the body, that the blood may drair
out of it, and support it on pillows. Il
should be bathed in ice water and have
ice wrapped in cotton cloths laid on it
If faintness ensues the sufferer should
not be Immediately aroused, as this Il
natures remedy and acts by lesseninl
the force and activity of the circula
ton.
A physician should be called in a
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