once extracted, and the wound washed with a soft sponge or rag and water. But when the exhaustion of the patient is considerable, or the flow of blood profuse, whatever foreign substances may be contained in the wound, must be suffered to remain until, in the judgment of the physician, it may be safe to attempt their extraction.
The bleeding from a wound, even though at first profuse, will often in a short time cease spontaneously, and, if the injured part be kept at perfect rest, will not again return. Should this, however, not be the case, and the flow of blood is very considerable, especially if it be in a continued stream or in jets, it should be arrested without delay, by making pressure upon the divided vessels, between the heart and the wound. When the injury has been received in either of the limbs, a firm broad ligature or bandage should be applied a short distance above the wound. The best plan is to place around the limb a strong broad garter, sufficiently slack to allow of a short stick being introduced under it, and by which it is lobe twisted until it is tight enough to arrest the bleeding. Of course, this is merely a temporary expedient, as the continuance of such a bandage for any length of time would be productive of injury. In wounds situated in a part of the body where the above means cannot be resorted to, the bleeding may be arrested by applying the hand firmly over the wound; or, by the finger passed within the wound, pressure may be made directly upon the orifice from which the blood proceeds.
In slight wounds, which do not penetrate much deeper than the skin, nothing better can be applied than the common sticking-plaster. This, by keeping the edges of the cut together, and preventing the contact of the air, &c., permits the process of union to go on without interruption.
Persona who have received a severe wound, or indeed a severe injury of any kind, ought always to be kept at rest, and perfectly composed. The part especially in which the wound exists, should be prevented from any degree of motion, and be kept as elevated as possible without its being placed in any constrained posture. Quiet and cheerfulness of mind are also of importance.
Sprains and Bruises.–The part in which these accidents have been received must be kept at perfect rest, elevated, and completely free from any heavy dressings or tight bandages. The best immediate applications are cloths wet with cold water or cold vinegar and water. It is a very common error, whenever any severe accident of this kind occurs, to have the individual immediately bled. In all cases of accident, much evil is liable lo be produced by the loss of blood before the system has in some degree recovered from the depression into which it is invariably thrown upon the receipt of any severe injury; it is better always to delay bleeding until the advice of a physician can be procured.
Burns and Scalds.–When of moderate extent, and occasioning only a redness of the skin, the best immediate application to a burn or scald is cold water or cold vinegar. The application or immersion should be continued for some considerable time, and without a moment’s intermission. When the skin is raised in large blisters, these should be punctured; after which a mixture of one part of linseed oil and two of lime-water, smeared over the burnt surface, will be found a very soothing application. The burnt part may then be wrapped in raw cotton. When the burn is extensive, and has completely destroyed the skin, the application of spirits of turpentine is attended with the best effects: care should be taken to confine it to the injured parts, not allowing it to come in contact with the sound skin. As the ulcer consequent on a burn is always tedious in healing, and, when mismanaged, liable to be attended with an unsightly scar, or even extensive deformity, the attendance of a physician should be procured.
TREATMENT OF DROWNED PERSONS.
As soon as the body is recovered, wipe it dry, and wrap it up in blankets, and place it in some convenient place, with the head slightly elevated; having free ventilation in hot weather, and allowing no persons to be present except those employed in operating. Let the head be wiped dry, and covered with a woollen cap. Several attendants should be employed in rubbing the body with stimulating articles, such as mustard, hot brandy, &c., and bags of hot sand, hot bricks, &c., applied to the feet and other parts of the body. While this is being done, the mucus should be removed from the mouth and nostrils, and other persons should be employed in inflating the lungs, as follows: Insert the pipe of a common pair of bellows into one nostril, close the other nostril and the mouth, then blow gently, and cause the air to escape by pressing on the chest, having first removed the finger from the nostril. This is to be continued for a long lime, the object being to imitate the process of breathing. Let this plan of treatment be pursued until the arrival of a physician.
CAUSES OF DISEASE.
Insufficient Exercise.–He who does not spend several hours everyday in some active exercise, must inevitably suffer from a diminution of bodily strength, defect of appetite, and imperfect digestion, and becomes sooner or later the subject of disease.
Late rising and late retiring.–There are few things which contribute more to shorten life, than the habit of keeping late hours, and consequently of rising from bed late in the morning. The advances of weakness and disease from this cause are, it is true, by very gradual steps, but not the less certain to be ultimately felt.
Breathing impure air.–A constant supply of fresh air is highly important. The air is rendered impure by being loaded with animal and vegetable exhalations, by its free circulation being prevented by a number of persons breathing it when confined in a close chamber, and by the processes of fermentation and combustion.
Insufficient ablutions of the body.–It is not enough for the preservation of health, that merely the hands, the feet, and the face be washed frequently, but that the whole surface of the body be repeatedly purified. To all, the frequent use of the bath is an important means of preserving health. Means for bathing should be afforded in every city, and in every extensive manufactory.
Inattention to the cleanliness of clothing and dwellings.–Independently of the injury which the health of individuals suffers from a neglect of strict personal and domestic cleanliness, the contamination of the air, from the decomposition of filth accumulated in and about a dwelling, has not unfrequently communicated disease to whole families and neighbourhoods. Repeatedly white-washing the wall of a house, and scrubbing the floors, is not merely, therefore, a source of tasteful comfort, but a direct means of preserving health.
Food rendered pernicious by modern cookery;–Adulteration in foods and drinks, and abuse of appetite.–While a moderate quantity of plain wholesome food is essential to the maintenance of life, all excess in its use, all complicated processes of cookery–keeping up the appetite beyond the wants of the system–are decidedly injurious. The health and strength of the body are not supported by the quantity of food consumed, but only by so much as is capable of being converted, by the powers of the stomach, into pure chyle and blood.
The unnecessary or imprudent use of medicine.–Domestic quackery has ruined many constitutions. A dose of medicine laken with the view of preventing an attack of disease, not unfrequently invites one which otherwise would not have occurred.
