The Plattsburg Manual Part 48

DROWNING

Being under water for over four or five minutes is generally fatal, but, unless you know the body has been submerged a long time, make an attempt to restore life. Don't get disheartened and give up, if you see no signs of life after a few minutes' work. Work on the body for at least an hour.

Your comrade's lifeless body has just been pulled out of the water. What do you do? You are alone.

1. Don't waste time in removing his clothes.

2. Reach your finger in his mouth and straighten out his tongue.

3. Lay him on his stomach; then straddle him; reach both arms under his stomach; raise his hips two feet from the ground and jostle him. This drains the water from the stomach and lungs.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PRESSURE EXERTED]

4. Lay him on his stomach; turn his head to one side so his nose and mouth do not touch the ground; extend his arms beyond his head (see ill.u.s.tration); locate his lowest (12th) rib; place hand, finger, and thumb closed (see ill.u.s.tration) on body so that the little finger curls over the 12th rib; hold your arms and wrists straight and lean forward slowly so the weight of the upper part of your body will be brought to bear gradually upon your comrade's ribs (see ill.u.s.tration); let this pressure continue for about three seconds; then remove it suddenly by removing the hands. Apply this pressure at the rate of from 12 to 15 times a minute.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PRESSURE RELAXED]

5. Do not attempt to give him any kind of liquids while he is unconscious.

6. Apply warm blankets as soon as possible.

7. Never say "He is dead"--Work on his body for at least an hour.

SUNSTROKE--(THE SKIN IS HOT)

A sunstroke is accompanied by the following symptoms: headache, dizziness, sense of oppression, nausea, colored vision, and often the patient becomes insensible. The muscles are relaxed, face flushed, skin hot, pulse rapid, and the temperature rises. The breathing is labored.

Treatment: Reduce the temperature as rapidly as possible, with ice or cold water; get the patient in the shade. Loosen clothing.

HEAT EXHAUSTION--(THE SKIN IS COOL)

Symptoms: Nausea, a staggering gait, pulse is weak, and the patient may quickly become unconscious. The skin is cool. This condition is dangerous.

Treatment: Rub the limbs vigorously. Give stimulants; apply heat.

BURNS

Do not pull the clothing from the burnt part, but rip or cut it off. Do not break the blisters or p.r.i.c.k them even if large.

Treatment: Protect it quickly with a mixture of equal parts of linseed or olive oil and water.

FREEZING AND FROSTBITE

Symptom: The part frozen appears white or bluish and is cold.

Treatment: Raise the temperature of the frozen member slowly by rubbing it with snow or ice and water, in a cool place. Don't go near a fire.

FAINTING

Symptom: Loss of consciousness. It is usually the result of severe bleeding or exhaustion from fatigue. This condition is rarely dangerous.

Treatment: Lay the patient on his back, head a little lower than rest of body, arms by side, feet extended. Rub the limbs. Sprinkle water on the face and give stimulants if necessary.

POISONING

Treatment: Send for a doctor at once. Empty the stomach and bowels.

Give two tablespoons full of mustard and warm water or a tablespoon full of salt in a gla.s.s of water to produce vomiting. Then give a purgative.

Tickle throat with finger or feather in case mustard or salt are not procurable. After the poison has been evacuated, give stimulants and apply heat and rubbing externally.

SNAKE BITE

In snake bites the poison acts quickly.

Treatment: Apply a tourniquet between the wound and the heart so as to stop the circulation and prevent the system from absorbing the poison.

Get out your knife and make a couple of cross cuts through the wound so it will bleed freely. Then suck the poison from the wound and spit the poison out. If your lips are lacerated there is danger in this method but it is your duty to take this chance in order to save your comrade's life. After sucking out the wound, heat your knife and burn it out.

STOMACH WOUNDS

Send for a doctor. Lie perfectly quiet. Don't lose your head and don't attempt to crawl to help or to stir around. Place a clean piece of cloth over the wound and keep it constantly wet with a solution of salt water.

If the wound is in the stomach, it is better to lie perfectly quiet on the battle field for a day or two until found than to crawl to a.s.sistance.