The Daily Alaska empire., 1950-12-21
SALT DRINK URGED
 PRIOR TO pLA5MA
 FOR ATOMIC SHOCK

"A ulSCUftIy tiIuI Hioy SS 'oSeiy important to civil defense-that the drinking of large quantities of salt water is, like blood plasma, an eff fective emergency treatment for shock from burns and other in juries-was recently advocated in case of shock and as a help in the prevention of shock by the Public Health Service.
 The next step in putting this knowledge into use in case of a large-scale disaster, such as an atomic attack, will be it's immediate consideration by the committee on burns of the National Security Re- sources Board, for incorporation in manuals to be used by all first aid personnel. This category would in- clude firemen. policemen. air-raid wardens and housewives.
 Red Cross first aid instructors are to continue presenting the subject of shock as they have in the past. However, in some situations first aiders work under special direction from local physicians. For example, in case of civil defense emergency, first aiders would work under the local medical committee for civil defense. Where first aiders work in special situations under medical guidance, they may in some com munities be instructed to use saline solution rather than the plain water.
 Salt vs Baking Soda
 The exact composition of the solution advised may differ some what in different communities. The evidence thus far obtained indi- cates that the important thing is the sodium constituent that is pre- sent in salt and in baking soda. Thus. it is entirely possible that some physicians might wish to use only salt, and not baking soda.
 The composition of the salt and soda solution is one level teaspoon ful of salt and two-thirds of tea spoonful of baking soda to a quart of water. It seems important that the measurement be followed rather closely rather than that an over concentrated solution be prepared.
 If further research work corrobo- rates the preliminary studies favor ing the use of the saline solution, corresponding changes from the advice now offered will be made in the Red Cross first aid textbook.
 Dr. Leonard Scheele, Surgeon General of the Public Health Serv- ice, has issued a warning that the importance of the blood bank pro- gram stateside is not in any way lessened by the new treatment.
 The salt water treatment is re- garded as lessening shock and sav- ing lives until patients can be taken to where they can receive blood. In cases where the blood vessels of the arms or legs collapse, whole blood is given concurrently with salt solution or plasma sup piled intravenously.
 The salt-soda solution is one al- ready known to many housewives as household remedy for various ail- ments. The patient is told to drink as much as he can, and not to drink any other fluid the first few days following the injury.
 Since great thirst accompanies serious burn injury, it has been found that patients will voluntarily consume sufficient amount of the solution, which is quite palatable. In event of atomic bombing about 60 percent of the surviving popula- ton might suffer from burns, and that injuries other than burns might cause shock.
 Salt Water Treatment
 The salt water treatment was first worked out on mice by Dr. Sanford M. Rosenthal, of the Ma tional Institute of Health, Wash