LESSONS IN FIRST AID
“MISS HELPEM,” said the head nurse to her assistant, “how would it be
for you to take charge of Miss Brave’s children’s classes, with her
help, of course? If you think well of that arrangement, I will take the
adult class, and leave the children’s instructions to you.”
“Nothing could please me better, Miss Bossem,” answered Mary Frances (I
mean, Miss Helpem). “I dearly love dolls—oh, I meant to say, children.”
Miss Bossem laughed. “Perhaps you’ll grow up some day,” she teased.
* * * * *
“How would you like to assist me with the children’s lessons?”
[Illustration: MISS HELPEM WAS TALKING WITH SHESA BRAVE]
Miss Helpem was talking with Shesa Brave.
“Oh, do you really think I would be able to do that?” asked Shesa,
delighted.
“Yes,” answered the nurse, “Miss Bossem and I feel quite certain you
can be a great help in showing the boys and girls what you learn in the
women’s class.”
“I never felt so proud in my life!” declared the young girl, hugging
her first-aid kit close in her arms.
* * * * *
So it came about that when Mary Frances’ dolls gathered together for
their lessons, it was Mary Frances herself dressed in the spotless
white uniform, with the red cross on the arm and cap, of the American
Red Cross Society, who gave their—
FIRST LESSON IN FIRST AID TO THE INJURED
“Good morning, children,” she began. “We will imagine all kinds of
troubles and accidents this morning, and we will not be a bit gloomy
over them, for our thoughts will all be on how we can help the sick and
hurt people.”
“Please, Miss Helpem, can’t I be the soldier?” begged Ibee Brave.
“And can’t I pretend to drive the field ambulance?” asked little Jack.
“And can’t I be run over?” asked another boy.
[Illustration: “PLEASE, MISS HELPEM, CAN’T I BE THE SOLDIER?”]
“Mercy, children,” exclaimed the nurse, “please wait for an
explanation—and in the next lesson, I’ll assign you all something to
do. Now, ready with your note-books and pencils to take down the list
of articles needed for the medicine closet. You will learn what they
are to be used for later. Keep the list and show it to your parents
when you get home. Now write as I dictate:
MEDICINE CLOSET
In every home there should be a certain closet or
shelf high above _little_ children’s reach, where the
medicines and articles needed in emergencies are kept.
Among these should be found, plainly labeled, the
following:[B]
1. Tincture of Iodine.
2. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia.
3. Boric Acid Powder.
4. Stearate of Zinc.
5. Pure Alcohol.
6. Lime Water.
7. Carron Oil.
8. Epsom Salt.
9. Soda Mint and Pepsin Tablets.
10. Baking Soda.
11. Household Ammonia.
12. Adhesive (Zinc Oxide) Plaster.
13. Tube Vaseline.
14. Capsicum Vaseline.
15. Peroxide of Hydrogen.
16. Castor Oil.
17. Witch Hazel.
18. Essence of Ginger.
19. Syrup of Ipecac.
20. Spirit of Camphor.
21. Sweet Spirit of Nitre.
22. Boric Acid Ointment.
23. Powdered Alum.
24. Borax.
25. Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb.
26. Picric Acid Gauze.
27. Aromatic Smelling Salts.
28. Oil of Cloves.
29. Normal Salt Solution.
30. Powdered Mustard.
31. Essence of Peppermint.
32. Tincture of Arnica.
33. Oil of Turpentine.
34. Aseptic Absorbent Cotton.
35. Sterile Gauze.
36. Triangular Bandages.
37. Roller Bandages.
38. Rubber Ear Syringe.
39. Fountain Syringe.
40. Measuring Glass.
41. Eye Dropper.
42. Hot Water Bottle.
The children wrote very quietly and listened attentively to what Miss
Helpem told them about being prepared for Ordinary Household Accidents,
such as cuts, burns, scalds, bruises, stings, etc.
* * * * *
“Children,” beamed Miss Helpem as they finished writing the list, “I
never dreamed you could be so interested. Why, not one of you has been
inattentive! Now, as a reward, I shall show you how—
TO MAKE A SANITARY DRINKING CUP FROM ANY PIECE OF CLEAN PAPER
[Illustration: TO MAKE A SANITARY DRINKING CUP FROM ANY PIECE OF
PAPER]
FOOTNOTES:
[B] The full list of remedies, with explanatory notes, is given in the
Ready Reference List at the end of this book.