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Wounds Soothing

Sources: Papers On Health

During the process of healing, wounds often give a

great deal of pain, even when all is going well. It is this pain we

here show how to relieve. After an operation under chloroform, itself

painless, the process of healing is often very painful. We are sure

this pain need not be endured, but to prevent or cure it we need to see

what is its cause. Two causes are specially notable--pressure and

cold. By skilful handling a
d bandaging, undue pressure may be

avoided by the surgeon. But a great deal can be done by any one to keep

cold from the seat of injury. Have a bag of soft flannel, as fine as

possible, made so as to surround the wounded part. This bag is filled

with dry bran, heated in an oven or otherwise, without being wet. Of

course the heat must not be great enough to cause any discomfort, but

sufficient to give a fine sense of relief. This application is for a

wound which has not become inflamed, but is doing well.



When inflammation has set in, and the patient is fevered, the opposite

treatment is applied. Over the dressing apply three or four folds of

dry cotton cloth, and over this again apply cold towels (see Towels,

Cold Wet) until the pain is relieved. Good sense must regulate this

treatment, of course, and excess of cold be avoided. But with ordinary

care this need never cause anxiety.



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