The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-25
sAFETYZS7F'RsT

UNDER AN ARRANGEMENT WITH
INbirsTpPy nifE pTEPAR ARTMEMT IiT, "a; y OF LABoR AND
PRINTS EACH MONDAY A PRACTICAL
ARTICLE BEARING ON THE ''SAFETY
ss,IRST' s,,R 7 ~ MOVEMENT OR KINDRED
BRANCH OF THE STATE GOvERN-
MENT, OF WHICH COMMISSIONER
J0HN PRICE JACKSON rs THE
The most common form of blood poi
soning occurring in the industrial world
or in everyday life is that known under
the term of septicaemia. This condi-
tion always arises from the entrance of
germs at some point where the skin
has been broken. Such wounds may be
deep, extending through the skin and
well into the soft tissues beneath, as a
puncture by a nail or other sharp in
strument; or they may be very super.
ficiai, simply a removal Of a part of
the skin varying from a small scratch
to destruction of large areas, as found
following crushing injuries, especially
those caused by machinery in motion.
The Importance of the consequences
of any injury, so far as blood poisoning
is concerned, is not at all dependent
upon the extent of the injury, but
upon the kind of germs which enter at
such point and upon the conditions
which allow them to multiply in the
wound. The results of this condition,
which it shares in common with other
dangerous illnesses, are the intense suf-
fering, prostration and danger of loss
of life and absence from work with its
accompanying loss of income and in
creased expenditure for medical serv-
ice.
In addition to this blood poisoning
has consequences which are more dis
tinctly its own. Chief among these is
deformity. This may show itself in q
distortion of the parts affected, to-
gether with stiffening of the joints,
thus impairing the usefulness of the
member or rendering it entirely worth
less. Worse than deformity, however,
is the amputation of hand, arm or leg,
which, while not an everyday happen
ing, occurs so frequently that every
industrial community of any size con-
tains living specimens, the results of
these conditions.
"A few cases of blood poisoning win
occur with even the best care and at
tention, but the greater majority can
and should be AVOIDED. All that is
needed is proper attention. BY proper
attention is meant careful and clean
dressing Immediately after the injury
has occurred and not, as is so often the
case, after the lapse of day or two,
when the surrounding area has become
red, swollen, hot and painful, with pos
sibly more or less pus exuding from the
insufficient opening of the original
wound
Such conditions arise only through
ignorance or carelessness, both of
which can be esovercome by proper in
struction in and appreciation of the
principles of "first aid. " This sys-
TEN depends for its efficiency on
prompt care and proper care. BY COW
ering a wound with sterile dressing
as soon as possible after an injury
has occurred the chances for germs en-
tering into the tissues either from the
air or from unclean substances with
which it might come IN contact are re-
duced to minimum. The common
practice of applying to an injury oily
or dirty waste, a soiled handkerchief
or quid of tobacco are mentioned
only to be condemned as far more dan
gerous than no attention whatsoever.
Asg soon as practicable after the
: first aid' dressing has been applied
the wound should be seen and dressed
by competent person. This may mean
a physician or nurse. One dressing
however, is not sufficient and the
wound should continue to receive care
full attention until every open spot
has been covered over, for just as long
as there is break in the skin there is
always an opportunity for germs of
greater or less virulence to find lodg
ing place.
1t takes little more time when an
accident occurs to be clean and care
full, but the results of such care are
so marked that no workman can afford
to take chances any more than he can
afford to disregard any other safety
device.