Examples of How to Care for Wounds

It is helpful to consider how the general principles of First Aid may be applied to certain and specific injuries:

Cut Finger:

If the hand is dirty wash it off with soap and warm running water. Apply a dressing and bandage on firmly. The small commercially prepared adhesive dressings are ideal for tiny "cuts." If the wound seems extensive or deep advise the injured person to see a doctor because of possibility of damage to tendons or nerves.

Puncture Wound:

Example- needle, ice-pick, nail, flying glass splinters.

All such wound are dangerous because germs may be carried in deeply and deposited in dangerous and inaccessible area. Wash off skin for a clean surface. Apply a small dressing. Refer to a doctor for anti-tetanus serum and other treatment as indicated.

Animal of Human Bite:

Because the mouth contains many dangerous germs, wounds of this type nearly always become badly infected. Wash off skin and apply dressing. Send quickly to medical care.

Bullet Wound:

The internal damage is often much more extensive than one would expect. Examine particularly for an associated broken bone and treat it accordingly. Apply dressing to wounds of entrance and exit. Send to hospital for emergency surgical treatment.

Deep Cut across Front of Wrist:

This is the type of wound which may be complicated by alarming hemorrhage if one of the large arteries has been cut. Make the casualty lie down. Hold up the arm to elevate the wound. Apply a thick dressing and bind it on firmly enough to stop the bleeding. Send the casualty to the hospital quickly on a stretcher with the injured wrist resting on a pillow or folded blanket. Warn attendants that they may have to tighten the bandage if the bleeding starts again.

Penetrating Wound on Chest:

If the lung has been damaged, the patient may cough up some blood and have difficulty breathing. Prop him or her up in a semi-sitting position to facilitate breathing. If the wound seems to suck in air with each breath (sucking wound) cover it immediately with a large bulky dressing pressed on firmly to keep out the air. Otherwise, dress the wound in the usual way and transport to hospital on a stretcher.

Abdominal Wound:

Wounds which penetrate the abdominal wall may damage the stomach or bowels. Hence, give nothing to eat or drink to the patient. Dress the wound accordingly. Send the patient to the hospital on a stretcher.

Wounds of Face, Mouth or Neck:

Apply dressing to external wounds in the usual way. If casualty is unconscious from associated head injury or if bleeding into mouth or throat tends to choke patient turn him faced down, and elevate slightly the foot of stretcher so that the blood will run out of mouth and breathing will not be obstructed.

Contusion Bruise:

This is an injury in which the deep tissues are torn without the overlying skin being broken. Bleeding beneath the skin leads to the "black and blue" color changes. A dressing is not necessary because germs cannot penetrate the intact skin. Ice packs or cold compresses, if promptly applied, may diminish the amount of bleeding and relieve the pain. An ice pack can be readily made by wrapping ice cubes in a large thick towel and crushing them by pounding with a hammer or mallet.

Robert. A . Mustard
"What are Wounds?"
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