The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-16
G1deas for JWnfnen


III second lecture in the course for
unframed nurses was delivered by Dr..
Gerhard. at the rooms of the Red Gross
Society. in Philadelphia, recently.
Dr. Gerhard spoke on fractures of the
different bones Of the body, their symp-
toms, and the treatment for each one;
from The top Of the body down.
TIL skull came first-a bothersome
place for a fracture since it is possible to
have a blow on the head Which viii break
the inner layer Of the skui and not the
outer one. However, such a fracture Is
recognizable by the symptoms OF uneon-
seriousness, irregular pupils and paralysis.
If the fracture is at the base of the skull
there Will be discharges of blood from the
ears, nose and mouth, in addition 10 un-
consciousness.
To treat a fracture of the skull, remove
the patient to a cool dark place, and apply
cold in some -form-either icebags or cold
cloths. Do not give any stimulant TO a
person who has a fracture of the skull.
The lower jaw is generally fractured
where the teeth are set in. 1t will be
apparent in an irregular line of teeth.
loss of control over the saliva. The only
possible way 10 treat it is to make a
splint of the upper jaw and keep it in
place. The triangular bandage may be
used and tied under the chin and over the
head. or a fourtailed bandage is available.
-
Fracture of the spinal column is per-
ceivable by paralysis. 1t occurs when one
of the vertebrate slips rub another and
presses against the spinal cord. Do not
place the patient on the face. Keep him
on his back or side, so that the weight of
the head will keep off the spine, and use
icebags on the back until a surgeon can
come.
Fracture of the ribs occurs between the
third and eighth rib. II is noticeable from
short breathing, stitch in the side and a
slight cough. Splints should be applied
with padding. and the triangular bandage
tied around the body, or long strips of
adhesive plaster may be used, applied at
the end of expiration.
The treatment of a collar-bone fracture
is more complicated. This bone is also
more frequently broken than any bone in
the body. When it is broken, theshoulder
falls in, down and forward. The patient
should be kept on the back with a pad
between the shoulders. A pad in the arm
pit brings the shoulder out. a triangular
bandage over the elbow and the other
shoulder brings the arm up, and a second
bandage fasteps it to the side and keeps
it quiet.
Il the arm bone is broken high up, there
should be a pad in the armpit, with the
arm tied to the side and the hand in a
sling. If nearer the middle, the arm
should be put in splints about as long as
the arm bone. They must be applied on
the outside and the inside. then the arm
shout be brought across the chest and
the hand put in a sling.
In a fracture of the forearm the inn
portant thing to remember is that when
the palm is up the two bones of the fore
arm are parallel and the fracture should
never be bandaged with the palm down.
After spliats are applied the arm should
be put in a sling with the thumb upward
toward the chin.
A ball of some sort acts as a splint in a
fracture of the bones of the hand. The
pa feEt should grasp it and then a band
age applied.
DR.. Gerhard advised his listeners not to
attempt TO set a fractured thigh-bone. be-
cause it is one Of the most difficult in the
body to get back into a normal positlon.
All that the first aids can do for it is to
bring the loot back into position, and APP
ply a long splint from The arinpit to the
sole Of the foot. On the battlefield a aife
is generally used for this spiint. placed
with the butt IN the armpit and the bar
rel down.
There are few things more enjoyable
or as fascinating as watching the growth
of seeds or plants that have been placed in
the bosom Of mother earth by ones own
hand, and the delight is often more keen
when one has the control of a spadeful of
loan than if the acres were counted by the
hundred. For city people, evgSfwhen liv-
ing in a fat, there is no nssd to be mar
rowed down TO tie growing of flowers
alone, lovely as trey are, when such de-
licious crisp possibilities as radishes, let
tuce, and cucumbers may be grown in a
box outside a sunny window.
The first weeks IN May (now is the very
mick of timeD, is right to SOW the seed.
The eartn, whether in yard or box, is first
to have been well turned over and left for
a few days to mellow in. the SUM-, for UNI
less there is a warm welcome for the seeds
they will not terminate. After this spread
over a little fertilizer, rake it in well, and
all is ready. The packages of seed usually
contain minute directions for sowing their
contents. Small seeGs, such as lettuce and
radish, require to be put under but a slight
covering of earth, and the only tool need
ed after the ground is prepared is a lead
pencil, or the like. just TO lightly spread
the earth over the seeds.
Drilling is merely sowing in rows, and
when the young plants begin to peep
above the earth they must be thinned out
to leave two inches for each full-grown