FIRST AID

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 380, 15 November 1932, Page 2

FIRST AID

TREATMENT NECESS ARY IN CASE OF (ACCIDENT. USEFUL INSTRUCTIONS. By sudden and violent contact with the steering wheel the driver may be winded. ' Winding is a state of collapse, and is due to the solar plexus being struck. The solar plexus, which is situa'ted behind the stomach, is the centre of the sympathetic, nervous system, controlling all those muscles, funetions and movements that do not come under tshe' control of the will. The effect, writes a contributor to i the Motor, is generally very quick. Giddiness cames on; pulse is rapid and very weak: the breathing is quick and irregular, and the patient sighs from time to time. The face hecomes pale and the skin sold and damp, and the patient is helpless. . The patient doubles up in an involuntary effort to lessen the pain. Do not, therefore, straighten the patient out hurriedly. Grad'ually raise him and rub round the abdomen. Lower the head between the knees and apply cold water to the face. Loosen all tight clothing at the neck, chest and waist. The application of warmth to the pit of the stomach and over the heart will be beneficial. Smelling salts should also be held to the nose. When the patient has come round, keep him warm.and let him rest with his head slightly lowered and turned to one side. Stimulants, such as hot tea and coffee or salvolatile (teaspoonful to half a tumberfuj of water)- may he given..

If from the same cause -a blow is received higher up across the chest, rib's may he hroken. They will not, except in extyeptional circumstances, break in the front, hut at the side of the body, midway between the breast bone and the spine. The blow will force the hroken ends outward. The symptoms are short, shallow breathing and a severe pain, which' attempts at deep breathing will accentuate. Sh'ock will also be experienced. If no internal organ is injured, apply a handage around the body with the centre above the fracture and another one with the centre just below it. Pin or tie them firmly enough, on the uninjured side of the body, to afford support. | The pins will he most comfortable 1 if fixed slightly to the front. If a wide scarf is available one only will do, and it should be applied with the centre over the seat of the injury. Support the arm on the injured side in a sling by turning the jacket up over the forearm and pinning it to the lapels.