The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-03-25
MAKE SURGEONS OF THEM.
Plan to Teach the Firemen How
to Dress wounds.
From the New York journal.

From the New York Journal.
When the plan originated by an assist
ant engineer of the Maiden (Mass) fire de-
partment is generally carried into effect,
firemen will no longer be obliged to wait
the coming OF the ambulance to dress their
wounds or alleviate their hurts. In every
fire company there will be a man who
thoroughly understands the method of
giving first aid to the injured
With every hose wheel will be carried
an emergency kit" containing all the
neeessaries for antiseptic treatment. 4
has been problem for many years Just
how to find a method for caring for in
jured firemen at CONGREGATIONS without
the expense of having regular physi-
clan attached to each company. This
new idea seems TO offer the solution
sought for.
This emergency kit will contain eight
rolls of bandages for body and legs, eight
bandages for the arms and a similar num-
Der for the fingers. There will also be
eight corrosive sublmate gauze bandages
of various lengths and Sizes two drain
age pans, six tournlquets for arteries in
arms and legs, one box of medicated alb
sorbent cotton, one can of bicarbonate of
burns; one bottle of sulphate of morphine
tablets, one-eighth grain each, to be given
for pain; one bottle tincture OF benzoin;
also one bottle corrosive sublimate tablets,
one tablet to a quart of water, making
one-tenth of ! per cent. solution, to be
used in DRESSING; one roll Of surgeons
Swapping plaster, scissors, safety pins,
large and small, and one bottle of aro-
matte spirits of ammonia to be used as a
stimulant and to be given in place OF
brandy The emergency kit will also con-
tain sponges and other accessories, and
all the various articles will be packed in
cotton 10 guard against breakage.
The originator of the plan advances the
idea that the flremen should attend a
series Of lectures by competent surgeons
and physicians upon the care Of the iniur-
ed at fires, practical illustrations being
given at every lecture. IL would be quite
possible to instruct every member Of
paid fire department, from the chief on
gineer TO the hose boy, so that he should
be able to render that immediate aid
which In a crisis Is indispensable. But
while this general knowledge 10 to be inn
pressed, II Is further suggested to have
one member Of each company assigned 60
the emergency kit, Just as there are pipe
men and hose men. 1t shall be this mans
duty TO see that the kit is always In per-
feet order. that no supplies are lacking
and to provide In every way against there
being a hitch when anything from the kit
Is needed.
In speaking of his plan the advocate
said: Il would advise that the engine end
ladder company might have a regular
course Of lectures, given In quarters, by
local physicians and surgeons, with ex-
aminations The fremen who pass the
necessary examination shall receive di-
plomas and tho badge of the Red Cross
order Of American Firemen. Nobody will
deny the fact that the average fireman
10 always ready to risk his life to save
that of friend or a stranger. His own
life Is In danger from the first stroke Of
the gong IN the engine house until the ap-
paratus il housed after its return from
the fire. No one knows what minute no
will want medical aid. Yet Ignorance OF
the first principles of surgery may pre-
vent his comrades from helping him In his
utmost need Every medical man will
support my assertion that the quick use
Of antlseptlc dressing means many days
Of Illness saved for the patient and many
dollars for the State Relief Association