The boys of America are venturesome, but I do not think, as a rule, that
they rush into danger heedlessly. But in all the active pursuits of
life, in play as well as in business, accidents are liable to occur, and
it is well to know what to do, as thereby life may sometimes be saved.
It is my intention to tell boys what they should do under certain
circumstances, when there is no help near.
Many persons are alarmed at the sight of blood. Now cuts are very
common, but rarely are they very serious. If a simple cut is inflicted,
if no artery is severed, it is only necessary to tie a handkerchief wet
with cold water over the cut, and wait for an opportunity to get some
adhesive plaster, which should be cut into strips one-eighth to one-half
an inch wide, according to the size of the cut, and applied at right
angles to the line of the cut, drawing it together by this means.
But when the blood flows in spurts or jets of a bright red color, it
shows that an artery has been cut. An artery carries blood _from_ the
heart, and consequently, to control the bleeding, if the cut or wound is
on an arm or leg, pressure with the finger must be made _above_ the cut
toward the body, not toward the hand or foot. If the bleeding does not
stop with pressure continued a little while, then take a handkerchief,
tie a knot in it, and placing the knot above the cut, tie the
handkerchief firmly around the limb. Then take the injured person to the
nearest physician, that the artery may be tied. Simple bleeding from the
veins, which stops soon with a little pressure, needs only the
application of a cool wet cloth.
When a person becomes faint from the sight of blood, or the loss of any
considerable quantity, always place him flat on his back, with the head
level with the body. Don't raise him up or try to stand him up. Apply
cold water to the face, if available, or fan him with a hat.
Bruises are often very painful, but usually they are not dangerous. Cold
water or ice applied to a bruise when first received will allay pain and
prevent somewhat the swelling that follows. A bruise that is followed
quickly by a soft bluish tumor or swelling indicates the rupture of a
vein, and it should not be punctured or pricked, but should be allowed
to disappear by absorption; a bandage making moderate pressure will
hasten this process; and here let me say that any bandage should be
applied from the extremity to the point where it is needed, that is,
from the hand or foot to the parts on arm or leg where the bandage is
needed. This is to prevent swelling of the parts below, as the
circulation in the veins is impeded by any bandage between them and the
heart. A bandage, then, should always commence at the toes or the ends
of the fingers, and be applied smoothly and evenly up to and over the
injured parts.
[Illustration: PADDY AND THE FISH.]