The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-07-11

els. which may BE- most rapidly ac-
complished by an enema. A physician
should, OF course. be called.
Surgical Troubles.
Sprains-In this condition there IL
liberation of ligaments, blood vessels
and other structures surrounding
Joint. The first treatment Is to place
the injured part IN hot water and ap-
ply hot cloths for half an hour. The
Joint should then be bandaged. not too
tightly, and kept at rest until the
acute swelling and tenderness subside.
Alternate applications Of hot and cold
water poured over the joint from
pitcher are often beneficial. II Is
mistake to attempt continuous self
treatment OF a severe sprain. Months
Of suffering and gripping may result
from neglect TO secure early surgical
aid. The X ray has demonstrated
that supposed simple spralns are often
complicated by fractures.
Fractures.
When a limb is fractured the first
step is to apply a temporary splint In
order to prevent needless injury to
soft parts by the ends Of the fractured
bone. Any stiff material, an umbrella,
rolled up newspapers, canes, etc, may
be bound to the limb by handkerchiefs,
towels or bandages until surgical aid
has been procured. In fractures Of the
leg one leg may be bound to the other.
II the skin has been broken the frac-
ture Is termed compound, and extreme
care is necessary to prevent further
liberation or infection Of the tissues.
Wounds.
Slight punctured or lacerated wounds
are often neglected or improperly
treated, owing to the fact that no
medical aid is sought. For the reason
that blood poison and lockjaw are not
uncommon following comparatively
trivial injuries all wounds should be
cleahsed as quickly as possible with
peroxide of hydrogen, turpentine or
some antiseptic solution. A sterilized
gauze pad should then be applied and
held in place by rubber adhesive plas-
ttI VI kuuLt DuhuuBOo. ihV uoS VI
strong antiseptic solutions In wounds
Is no longer customary. When the
wound Is infected, as evidenced by
heat, redness. swelling or discharge Of
pus, the parts should be cleansed fire.
quently with peroxide of hydrogen and
a simple wet dressing applied as fol
lows: A gauze pad Is bandaged over
the wound and kept moist with sat
urated solution Of bicarbonate Of soda
in boiled water. Antiseptic solutions
kill germs, but they also interfere with
the natural reparative work Of the
body cells.
Dangers Of Carboiie Acid.
from the household. except In the form
Of carbolated yaseline. This prepare
ton may be useful to apply to cuts or
sores In emergencies. Solutions Of car
bolic acid constantly applied to the
extremities, fingers, toes. ETC., have
been known to cause gangrene.
Every useful purpose served by car
bolic acid as household remedy can
be served by simple nonpoisonous an
tiseptics. such as a saturated solution
of boric acid or the official liquor an
tiseptfeus Of the United States Phar-
macopoeia. Diluted with several parts
Of water this latter preparation may
be used whenever a cleansing antisep-
tic wash is required.
Burns.
Probably nothing causes more excite
ment In the household than burns or
scalds, and this explains why first aid
is SO seldom properly and promptly ap-
piled.
The most convenient and perhaps
the best remedy to apply is ordinary
baking soda. This may be applied In
powder and the parts wrapped I'm
clean linen cloths, gauze. ETC., and
then covered with cotton. or the band
ages may be saturated and kept moist
with a strong solution Of the soda.
Blisters should be punctured with
needle that has been sterilized In boil
ing water, but the skin should not be
removed. ''
When a burn Is very extensive i'm
mediate proper dressing is difficult,
and II is extremely important to reduce
the shock and protect the burned area
from the air. This may be quickly
done by placing the patient in warm
salt bath. keeping the temperature be-
tween o. and lO4 degrees +. Such
treatment Is often continued for long
time, replenishing the water, of course,
as II becomes contaminated. Stimu-
lants internally are called for.
Ear Emergencies.
Accommodations of wax or foreign
bodies in the ear should be removed by
Swinging with warm water or saturat-
ed solution Of boric acid. Insects may
be suffocated with a few drops Of pure
sweet oil and then removed by syring-
ing with warm water. II Is a bad
practice to use oil In the ear for the
removal Of wax. II Swinging with
warm water does not suffice a physi-
clan should be consulted.
Earache is usually due to infiamma-
ton, which may develop into suppura-
ton and abscess. Heat should be APP
piled by means OF hot water bags.
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