The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-06-30

+ANNA'N~Ns -sNS NehA ~ ASs ID
the history OF stupidity" Per
haps few OF US would care
10 go so far as that in our condemna-
tion of the average intelligence of the
crowd, but certain Il is that it is the
individuals who think. the mass that
Tushes at conclusions.
Mobs cannot reason. and in any
emergency. be it a lynching or an acct
dent, they lose all control Of themselves
and do things not only dangerous, but
sometimes ridiculous
For this reason, directions for first
aid to the injured are invaluable, and
not only are they of service in cases OF
public calamity. but in sudden and IN
expected accidents Of all sorts as well.
II ID, Of course. impossible here 10
give any such compendium of rules;
however, within a limited area some
definite directions and suggestions may
be made The near advent of IndeDend-
ence Day makes some such instruction
especially urgent. For some reason. we
have turned the anniversary of Ameri-
can independence into a day of carnage
and annually we sacrifice hundreds OF
little victims 10 our patriotism.
Without arguing the wrong or riqbt
OF this custom. II is yet possible TO save
many from serious injury. or perhaps
even from death. by timely assistance
OF course, the first thing to do in acct
dent OF any sort is to send for a doctor
but there are many precautions that
may be taken pending his arrival
Many broken bone has never healed
properly because it was left until the
doctors coming without any treatment
Whatsoever. and
TO death for want of pre-medical lfga-
ment Let US. then. consider these bInts
ION amateur surgery but as preparation
for the physician. a premonitorv car
rylng out Of his instructions. 50 To
speak
First as 10 burns. most potent and
most common on July (. The first thing
TO do is to protect the burned part from
contact with the air and with any out
side Irritation, especially cold
Treatment for Shocks.
If the accident has been severe enough
TO cause shock, anodynes, administered
with brandy or hot water and with am
monia added If necessary. should be
given. BY ammonia. Of course. is meant
the aromatic spirits. From five drops
to a teasponful is the usual dose. varied
in children according TO their age.
Two old standbys are then in order;
either bicarbonate Of soda or linseed
oil and limewater should be literally
applied The soda may be used in the
powdered form, or made into a paste
and spread over the affected part. The
oil and limewater should be made into
"A liniment with equal parts OF each.
Other good remedies are lead lotion and
n weak carbolic solution. Before band
aging, after the liniment or ointment Is
applied, the burned portion should be
wrapped In surgical cotton.
Occasionally a burn is deep or extern
sive enough 20 endanger life; in this
case. first battle in tepid turpentine,,
then apply an ointment made OF equal
parts OF resin and of lard or oil with
ten drops Of creosote added to the
ounce Finally, wrap in cotton wool or
flannel, after thickly spreading on lint.
Perhaps the most common disasters of
summer are sunstroke and heat ex-
haustiOn prostration. These are by no
means synonymous. IN sunstroke there
is intense fever. and ice should be APP
piled early and often. In heat prostra-
ton, on the other hand. there is a very
low temperature and intense shock, and
heat should be the first thought In
both the patient should be kept In a
reclining position. I have known OF
cases where the victim was mistakenly
walked up and down until his life was
endangered by this injudicious kind
ness"
If there is the slightest doubt of which |
of the two forms of neat-stroke Is pres
.ent. take the temperature Immediately, |
placing the thermometer in the mouth |
by preference. or. failing this. under the |
armpits. Leave 1t in minute before |
withdrawing TO read IT, In acute cases
of sunstroke. ammonia may be admins !
tered. II being the only one of several !
remedies that Is safe TO trust in the |
hands OF novices.
Another very usual summer accident
Is drowning. Many bathers either get
beyond their. depth. are caught in a
hole, or are suddenly seized by cramps
To all cases OF drowning, whatever the
cause, the same treatment applies First
let the head hang for ten seconds. I'm