5. Lead and laudanum wash if the skin is not broken. Of course bruises
usually disappear in time. The above remedies will help. Heat applied at
some distance from the parts relaxes the surrounding vessels and promotes
absorption of the blood in the bruise.
[392 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
CUTS. WOUNDS.--They are named cut (incised); contused, such as made by a
blunt instrument.
Lacerated or torn, when the tissues are torn or ragged.
Punctured, stab-wounds, when made by a pointed instrument.
Treatment.--There may be pain, gaping (opening) of the edges and bleeding.
In order to gape, the cut must pass through the deep skin. Cuts or wounds
that do not go deep leave little or no scar. Such require only a little
antiseptic dressing like this remedy:
"Boric Acid 1/2 ounce.
Boiled Water 1 pint."
Wash the cut thoroughly and cover with gauze or clean linen. Cuts or
wounds should always be washed first with boiled water, cooled enough to
use. Do this with absolutely clean muslin, absorbent cotton or gauze and
boiled water. After being thoroughly cleansed and washed with hot water
and cloths, a thick pad of muslin, absorbent cotton or gauze thoroughly
soaked with the boric acid solution, (strength one-half ounce of boric
acid to a pint of boiled water) should be applied on the wound, and for an
inch or two around it. Over this lay a thick layer of absorbent cotton or
muslin, bandage all securely with a bandage or adhesive strap, so the
dressing cannot slip.
[Illustration: Hand Arteries.]
Gaping Wounds generally need stitches. These should be put in deep enough
to draw the deep edges together. If that is not done, a pocket will be
left where the parts are not together and "matter" may form there. Plaster
will not draw the deeper parts of wounds together. They should then be
covered the same way as superficial wounds; of course the wound should be
thoroughly cleansed in the same way before the stitches are put in. Such
wounds unless they are large, need not be dressed for a day or two, unless
there is soreness or pain. If the wound is sore and throbs it should be
redressed immediately. Some discharge will no doubt he found penned in,
and needs a drain through which to escape. This does not usually happen,
and if it does, the wound was infected (poisoned) and then needs dressing
once or twice a day, and full vent given to any discharge that may be
present. The dressing immediately over the wound should then be thick and
soft so as to absorb the discharge that may be present. The stitches are
usually removed in small wounds the third or fourth day. This is easily
done, with a sharp pointed scissors or knife; put one point underneath the
stitch next to the knot, cut it off and with the forceps take hold of the
knot and pull it out gently. It comes away easily as a rule.
[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 393]
Torn Wounds should be trimmed. That is, cut away the torn pieces and then
stitch together as for other wounds. Of course all the tissue possible
should be saved and only ragged flesh should be cut away. This would die
anyway, and prove a foreign body, and would be very apt to cause pus.
These wounds should be dressed the same way as previously directed.
Sometimes bleeding may cause trouble. Usually, hot water constantly
applied will stop it. Pressing above the part will often stop bleeding. If
an artery is cut it will spurt red blood. The artery should be tied and
pressure made upon the limb above the cut toward the body; or tying the
limb tight. If a finger or toe is cut and bleeds much, press on each side.
The arteries are there. Put the limb high and the head low. Bandaging a
limb tight, beginning at the end, often stops bleeding. Stimulants' are
sometimes necessary for a time.
Punctured Wounds.--From a sharp pointed instrument, nail, etc. The first
thing to do is to cleanse the wound thoroughly with hot water and about
one-half ounce of salt to a pint of water. Keep this up constantly for
one-half hour. Then if it is from a nail, put on a bread and milk poultice
hot, and keep changing it every ten minutes to keep it good and hot. Keep
this going for at least an hour. Salt pork can then be put on and kept on;
or a cloth dipped in hot salt water can be applied, and kept on for a few
hours when it can be dressed as other wounds are. There should be no
throbbing pain the next day. A wound of this kind should be dressed every
day, with great care in the matter of cleanliness. It is lack of
cleanliness that usually causes trouble, either the poison that gets into
the wound at the time of injury or that is allowed to get in and infect
the wound afterwards. Clean hands, tools, basins, dressings and boiled
water are essential to a quick healing.
Rusty Nail Wound, Simple Guard Against Serious Results from.--"Every
little while we read of someone who has run a rusty nail in his foot or
some other part of his person, and lockjaw has resulted therefrom. All
such wounds can be healed without any fatal consequences following them.
It is only necessary to smoke such wounds or any wound or bruise that is
inflamed, with burning wood or woolen cloth. Twenty minutes in the smoke
will take the pain out of the worst case of inflammation arising from any
wound I ever saw." Put on a poultice of bread and milk, changing every
five or ten minutes. After this bind on salt pork and keep on for several
days.
[394 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]