The Washington herald., 1917-07-03

Il tSOpyTlEnl, 1871, DY the NC
Toy pistols containing blank car
ltridges can infiict very severe wounds.
These are the wounds most apt 70 be
followed by tetanus or iockJaw. In
former years this condition coming
on acutely after an injury, was al
most always fatal Within recent
years II has been treated with an
| antitoxin and thus many lives saved.
| Surgeons advise that In every case
of penetrating wound. caused by a
Fourth Of July injury, the antitoxin
treatment must Immediately be re-
thorough cleansing Of the affected
parts The strictest antireptic treat
ment Of the wound Is imperatively de-
marded, even II 1t has to be enlarged
to do so. and this can only be done
in some cases under anaesthesia. No
matter how thoroughly done. IL must
be followed by the antitoxin.
In the absence Of a physician, never
probe wound for a bullet as much
damage Is sometimes done In this way
by carrying infective matter into the
wound. Turpentine will remove CRIME
and grease; other foreign matter such
| as shreads of clothing or vadding,
| must be picked out. Use a needle, a
boolin or even a pair Of pincers, made
| sterile by passing through a fame.
The parts should be made as antisep-
tic as possible. Do not use carboiic
Il ~
| as We once believed II to be, and in
| many instances II has done a great
| deal Of harm. Pure peroxide OF hy-
drogen poured into a wound renders
| II antiseptic and is perfectly harm
less. A solution Of bichloride Of mer-
cury-one tablet to a quart Of water
lis also effectual Congresses wrung
out Of this solution and applied 70
the wound as dressing, is good treat
ment.
1t sometimes happens that a pistol,
or other form Of firearm will explode
in the hands Of an inexperienced child
and cause very ugly ragged wound.
The tip Of finger may be blown on
/ or partially torn away. Plunge the
parts at once into the antiseptic So
luton above mentioned. Your own
hands must be clean and Thoroughly
antisoptic before you touch the wound
III II Is on a finger, approximate the
| ragged edges and bind up with ster-
| lie gauze soaked in phenol sodique.
Over this bandage lightly with a one
inch bandage. IL is surprising how
perfectly some Of these wounds heal
II properly treated.
II the injury is upon a fat surface.
such as the hand or limb. excellent
results are attained by bringing the
parts together with adhesive plaster.
Tne wound must be thoroughly clean
| ed, first with liquid soap and alb
sorbent cotton, and then with the
antiseptic solution. Resin plaster Is
the best. Even an extensive wound,
which looks as though 1t required
stitches. heals beautifully and more
| evenly when the plaster IS used. The
strips should never completely encir-
Gle limb: they should be long enough
! 10 reach beyond the wound. and the
ends turned under upon themselves 50
that the edges are free and can be
| grasped readily when removing the
| strips. In doing this both ends OF the
| plaster are eaken up ard pulled to-
gether toward the wound. There Is
no DANGER then Of rCoppning st.
| In explosions of this kind. blood
| vessels are sometimes severely torn.
and If an artery is injured the child S
4 life Is in great danger.
There are three kinds OF blood vcs-
: sells. and the blood flows differently
| from each one. From an artery Il
| spurts in lets. is bright-red in color.
! and no pulsatIon can be felt below the
! seat Of injury. From a vein IL flows
| In continuous stream and is dark
! blush red in color. From a capillary
| which is small surface vessel X
ooEes, is dark red in color and IS
more sticky.