Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

424 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTDj'essings.—Roller bandages are not recommended,save to men already trained to use themproperly. Anybody, on the other hand, can applythe small ready-to-use Red Cross dressings, andadhesive plaster for strapping them on where theycannot be tied. For large wounds, the triangularbandage in a soldier's packet is easy for anyone touse, as there are cuts and directions printed on itshowing how to apply it to any part of the person.A roll of adhesive plaster (zinc oxide plaster) isalmost indispensable; but never apply it directly toa wound—first cover the hurt with a sterilized pad.Court plaster, although the commonest of first-aiddressings, is the poorest. It is likely to be surgicallyunclean, and has no antiseptic properties, but, on thecontrary, it seals up the wound so as to confinewhatever germs may have invaded it—the veryworst thing it could do, for it defeats Nature in hereffort to get rid of the poison by suppuration. Flexiblecollodion ("new skin") is likely to do the samething, unless the cut or abrasion is first sterilizedwith a strong antiseptic.Never turn a compress (or other dressing) overand use the other side; it is infected.Antiseptics.—Such dressings, however, are notenough in themselves to cleanse wounds and keepthem free from infection. A supply of some goodantiseptic is indispensable in the kit. Those commonlyused in domestic practice are either bulkyliquids, impracticable on a "go-light" trip, or ineffectivepowders, like boric acid, that are only soothing,not really germicidal.Mercury bichloride (corrosive sublimate) is apowerful agent, but it is so corrosive that it doesnot make fit solutions in metal vessels, which areall that a woodsman or explorer has. Besides, itis a deadly poison. Carbolic acid in solution is toobulky, and the full-strength liquid is mean to carryon a rough trip.