Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-26
In EMERGENCIES.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A BLOOD
VESSEL Is INJURED.

In Gases of Hemorrhage More Apprehen-
sion is Excited Than is Warranted
How to Stop Bleeding from Arteries
and veins-yaluabIe Advice.
When profuse hemorrhage from wounded
blood vessel occurs, the beholder, be he friend
or stranger is in many instances so terror
stricken he looses all presence of mind, and
thus many lives have been sacrificed which
might have been saved by timely interven-
ton In nearly all cases of hennorrhage much
more apprehension is excited than warranted.
The amount of blood actually lost is generally
much overestimated. There is common
expression, "a little blood makes a great
show" This is quite true; for a small guam
tlty will soil much clothing, and but little
need be added to basin of water to render
it very high colored-
1t is well to remember that one-eighth Of
the weight Of the human body is blood; III
other words that, in a person of average
size, there are from sixteen to eighteen pints.
In health, pint-even qua-t-of blood can
be withdrawn from the vessels without in
jury, and doubtless in but few cases would
loss of one-third the entire amount contained
IN the body prove fatal From this statement
occurs treatment may be leisurely applied far
from it. The bleeding should IN all cases be
Immediately arrested, if possible. The reader
should know, however, how great loss can
be sustained, without hfe being threatened,
for it is often fear of immediate death that is
terrorizing and renders one powerless in such
emergencies.
ARTERIES AND VEINS.
A., =
when blood Of a bright red color spurts out
IN jets, corresponding to the beats of the
pulse II a vein is opened, dark red blood
flows from the wound in a steady stream.
Bleeding from wounded arteries is in nearly
all instances by far the most dangerous.
In cases Of hemorrhage at all profuse, firm
pressure should be instantly made directly
upon the bleeding part The next step to
take will depend upon the situation and
character of the wound If the injury is on
either of the limbs and is severe, it is always
well to have the patient placed fat on his
back and the injured member elevated and
supported by an assistant. During this pro-
cedure the bleeding must be prevented by
unrelaKed pressure.
If a small artery has been cut, It will be
known by the size of the jet which spurts out
when the wound was received. In such cases
bandaging directly over the wound will often
control the hemorrhage a pad should be
made little larger than the cut by folding
Or rolling firmly piece of cloth This, when
ready, should be placed over the wound the
hngers which have previously grasped it be-
ing quickly lifted up for the purpose, and as
quickly should they renew their pressure on
the pad Over this a bandage can then be
applied, piece Of Sheet three or four inches
wide and six feet long, being used.
Ii the bleeding has entirely ceased, TO wet
and keep the bandage saturated with cold
water and the limb supported is all that
there remains TO do. If, however, the bleed
ing persists, then the treatment to be advised
when large artery is wounded must be en-
ployed. In such cases no attempt should be
made to permanently arrest the hemorrhage
by bandaging the wound, but between it and
the body, around the limb, a firm bandage,
twisted handkerchief, large cord or a piece
of rubber tubing should be drawn tightly
and tied in knot, to shut off the supply Of
blood Not until this is effectuaIIy done
should pressure of the fingers on the bleeding
part be relaxed
A SIMPLE LAW EXPLAINED.
In cases where the wound is large, and sew
eral small arteries are opened, and pressure
with tho finger does not control the bleeding,
then the hgature should be applied above the
injury. Bleeding from small veins is gener-
ally easily controlled by bandaging over the
wound. When, however, important vessels
are opened, as is sometimes the case with en-
larged veins of the leg, then the blood should
be cut off from the bleeding part by tightly
bandaging, not between it and the body. but
between the wound and the extremity. This
ciy, low 10 Il.
blood goes to the extremities through the
arteries, but returns through the veins.
To control hemorrhage in some situations
is more difficult than in others If a large
artery is opened above the knee or elbow it is
doubtful if bandage can be drawn tightly
enough to cut of the blood between the
wound and the body without improvising
touTniquet. To do this is easy, however 4
common handkerchief can be tied loosely
around the leg or arm, and the slack taken
up by twisting with a cane or stick until suf-
ficient pressure Is exerted TO prevent the pas
sage Of blood TO the wound. The advice Of
DR.. Hope is well worth remembering: If
you be by yourself in the fields and get a
severe cut with scythe, or in any sudden
emergency such as q railroad accident, use
10 remedy which has saved many life on
the field Of battle. Take handful of dry
earth put this on the wound and grasp
tightly till you call for assistance
As previously stated, in nearly ali cases of
hemorrhage from wounds there is no neces-
sity for the alarm often shown, especially
as fear perverts the Judgment of those who
could much more serve the true interests Of
the sufferer by keeping cool and collected
OF course, in all emergencies a physician
should be Immediately sent for If the
bleeding is controlled by pressure Of the fin
gers, all other operations which follow can
be done leisurely, as there is no urgent haste
and none should be INDUCED in.-Journal OF
Health
vuuu ,IInIsuer--' ia6l weePT1gi 1 hare
come just in time. You are experiencing a
change Of heart