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.