The nurses' handbook and catalogue of nursing requisites.

S. Maw, Son & Thompson

Date:: [1896]

Credit: The nurses' handbook and catalogue of nursing requisites. Source: Wellcome Collection.

33/188 page 21

$Fractures.—A fracture may be simple or compound. In simple fractures the bone is broken without any serious injury to the soft parts. In com- pound fractures the soft parts are torn through so that the bone communicates by a wound with the open air. The latter is a much more serious condition. The signs of a fracture are pain at the seat of injury, change in the shape of the limb, unnatuial mobility and loss of power. When called upon to render assistance in the case of a fractured limb, be extremely careful in handling it, remembering that by rough handling, a simple may easily be converted into a compound fracture. The main point to aim at in the immediate treatment of fractures is to fix the broken frag- ments of bone, in order that no further damage may be done. To attain this end, make gentle traction on the limb, below the seat of fracture, and apply splints to either side of it, fixing them in their place by means of bandages, handkerchiefs, or anything else that may be at hand. Improvised splints may be made from umbrellas, pieces of stick, bark of trees, folded newspapers, bundles of straw, etc. A padding of some kind should always be placed between the splints and the limb, and may be made from grass, straw, soft paper, leaves, articles of clothing, etc. In moving the patient after the fracture has been “put up,” great care should be taken to prevent any disturbance of the limb. If the injury is in the upper extremity, the arm must be supported in a sling and tied to the side ; and, if in the lower extremity, the legs should be tied together at the ankles and knees. Drowning. Never despair of resuscitating a person who is apparently drowned until a medical man has arrived on the scene and pronounced life to be extinct. Commence to treat the patient instantly on the spot, without waiting for anything, and remember that life may be sometimes restored even after some hours’ apparent cessation of breathing. Remove wet cloth- ing, and commence artificial respiration at once. Place the patient on his back on a flat surface, with the shoulders supported by means of a roll of clothing placed beneath the shoulder blades. Clear the mouth of any weed or mud that may happen to have got into it, and draw forward the patient’s tongue keeping it projecting beyond the lips. Standing behind the head, grasp the arms just above the elbows, and draw them gently and steadily upwards above the head, pulling upon them slightly all the while. By this means air is drawn into the lungs. Keep them in this position for two - conds then bring them slowly downwards, and press firmly against the ,wo s““ds'c,os!in8 ll for™s •<« 1 the stomach. By this means air is pressed out of the lungs. These movements are to be repeated debberately about fifteen times in the minute : c7.eta “ are induced. Then cease to pZm r ficial respiration, and proceed to induce warmth and circulation. To do ’ C0Ver ,he Patlem With blanketS dl-y clothes, apply hot flannels or$

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