Chapter 75
CHAPTER V. SPRAINS. Most sprains are serious, and a doctor should be called at once. But before he arrives, the following simple treatment may be applied. Sprains twist and tear the ligaments and may rupture the small blood vessels. The flow of blood may be checked by application of cold or heat or by pressure.
If the ankle or foot is sprained, wrap a folded towel tightly around the part sprained and then apply moist heat and elevate the leg. Immerse the foot in water as hot as can be borne and keep on adding hot water for about 20 minutes so that the temperature may not be lowered. Then apply a bandage, but continue the bathing treatment. Cold applications may be used instead of hot water and should be applied by dipping cloths in ice water frequently and wrapping them about the parts injured. Stings of poisonous insects or of scorpions, centipedes, etc. should be treated with Hart's horn, ammonia, after which cold water or cracked ice should be applied.
Do not fail to call a surgeon or doctor. If the sting remains in the wound, remove it either by pressure on the skin or with a knife. The stings of common insects such as mosquitoes, ants, etc. should be treated with a weak solution of ammonia, salt water or a cloth wet with water in which a teaspoonful of baking soda to a pint of water is dissolved may be bound on it. Suffocation. Always summon a physician. Place the patient in the air.
Remove all tight clothing about the neck and chest and apply artificial respiration. Apply hot water in bottles to the body. Put mustard plasters above the heart, on the soles of his feet and on his wrists. When the patient shows signs of recovering, give mild stimulants. If the patient is in a close room, open the windows and all of the doors.
In rescue work, do not open windows, but smash out all of the glass. In entering a room full of smoke, cover the mouth with a handkerchief wet with water or vinegar and water. Crawl on the floor as the smoke is less dense near the floor. The rescuer should attach a rope to himself so he can be pulled from his dangerous position. Sunstroke.
Indications of sunstroke or heat prostration are a slow but full pulse, very labored breathing, and the skin is hot and dry, the face usually red, and the person affected is unconscious. Remove the sufferer to a shady place and be sure to loosen his collar and clothing if tight. Raise the head and shoulders. The head, face and chest should be drenched with cold water, and if it is very hot, use cracked ice. In ordinary cases of heat prostration, the patient is not unconscious, the skin is pale and clammy, and the breathing is not normal.
Force the patient to lie on his back with his head level with his body and loosen all tight clothing. Apply heat to the extremities and cold to the head. The patient should not be allowed to drink too much water. Give him hot drinks and apply heat to the spine and feet. Under no circumstances administer alcoholic stimulants. Always send for a physician.
End of section 75.
