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Wounds And Bruises

Categories: ADMINISTRATION OF REMEDIES.
Sources: An Epitome Of Homeopathic Healing Art

On this subject, I must necessarily be very brief. When a wound is

inflicted, the first and most important thing to be done is to _arrest

the flow of blood_. Every one should know how to do this. The bleeding

is to be stopped, and the wounded vessels to be secured, so that no

further flow can take place.



First, then, to stop the bleeding, _pressure_ is to be made upon the

artery leading to the wound. If t
e wound is in the leg or foot,

pressure is to be made, either on the vessel above and near the wound,

or, where that cannot be easily found and compressed, make firm pressure

with the thumb or some hard substance, in the groin, about two and a

half inches at one side of the center of the pelvis, (wounded side) just

below the lower margin of the belly, towards the inner side of the

thigh, where the great artery (Femoral artery) can be felt pulsating. By

pressing firmly upon this artery, the blood is arrested in its flow into

the limb, and of course the bleeding from the wound soon ceases. If the

wound is in the arm or hand, _pressure_ is to be made, either just above

the wound, or on the inside of the arm, about one-third of the way from

the shoulder to the elbow, where the artery (Brachial) can be felt. To

secure the parts from further bleeding, the wounded artery must be taken

up and tied. Let it be seized by forceps, or the point of a needle may

be thrust into it, and the vessel stretched out a little, a thread put

round it and tied; cut off one end of the tie, and let the other hang

out of the wound, until it comes out by the vessel sloughing off. Bring

the lips of the wound together, and if it is large, put in stitches

enough to hold them, and put on an adhesive plaster, compress of cloths,

and bandages to keep it from straining the stitches, and protect it from

the air. The _Arnica_ plaster, made by JOHN HALL, of Cleveland, is the

best adhesive plaster of which I have any knowledge. Give the patient

_Aconite_ once in two hours, for a day after the accident.



_Slight Cuts_ about the joints, especially the knee, are dangerous, from

their liability to affect the ligaments, inflame, and produce _Lockjaw_.

Therefore, such wounds, ever so slight, are of great importance. They

should be at once closed up, whether they bleed or not, and covered with

an adhesive plaster, (Arnica plaster is the best) a bandage, and the

knee should not be bent, even when walking or sitting, until the wound

is healed. It is best to apply a splint from the hip to the heel, and

bandage the limb to it, so as to prevent bending of the joint.



_Bruises_ are to be treated with _Arnica_, applied to the part affected,

by putting twenty drops of the tincture into a gill of water, if the

skin is _not_ ruptured, or three drops into the same if it is, and

bathing freely. The _Arnica_ is to be taken internally at a higher

dilution. Keep the parts covered with cloths and wet in _Arnica_ water.



If a blow is received upon the head, by a fall, or in any other way,

producing a "stunning" effect, (concussion of the brain) so that the

patient appears lifeless for a time, and delirious when he begins to

come to, there is great danger of inflammation of the brain, and death

from the re-action, or in some cases, the shock is so great that the

patient will never revive unless he has the proper aid.



_Arnica_ is the great remedy to bring on reaction, arouse the patient,

and prevent _dangerous_ inflammation or congestion of the brain.



When a patient is "stunned" by a blow or fall, he should be conveyed

soon as possible, to some _quiet_ place, and as little noise as

practicable made about him, and the room kept darkened. _Arnica_ 3d

should be given immediately, and the nostrils wet with strongly

arnicated water.



If fever arise after he comes to, _Aconite_ should be given with

_Arnica_, and if the head aches, or becomes hot, _Bell._ is to be used.

This will prevent or arrest all symptoms of inflammation.



_Torn and Mangled_ wounds should not be handled much. If they bleed, the

blood must be stopped as in any other case. If they are dirty, warm

water may be gently applied to cleanse them. The wound should be covered

with some soft cloths, and kept constantly wet in Arnicated water of the

strength of four drops of the _tincture_ to a pint of water.



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