Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

ACCIDENTS AND EMERGENCIES 425Hitherto I have recommended Iodine; but abottle of it will make a sad mess of things if it leaksor breaks; an ampule in the pocket case serves forbut one treatment, and, being in a wooden tube, isbulk}^ in proportion. Iodine is poisonous, corrosive,painful In use, and impossible on delicate tissues.It has the further disadvantage that it clots bloodserum, and so cannot penetrate a punctured woundunless the hole is slit open with a knife.Thanks to the discoveries of Dr. Carrel, withcalcium hj^pochlorite, In the military hospitals ofFrance, and of Dr. Dakin, who has produced achlorine-carrier that does not deteriorate, we nowhave what seems to be the ideal antiseptic. I amat present using Dakin's antiseptic, as made hereunder the trade name of chlorazene. It Is put upin tablet form. Chlorazene is neither poisonous norcorrosive In any marked degree. It can be employed,in proper solution, anywhere, even In the eye, aswell as for sterilizing Instruments and the hands ofthe operator. Yet It Is one of the most powerfulof all known antiseptics.Stimulants.—In many accidents a stimulant isrequired. Don't carry whiskey—If you don't drinkit up yourself the first time you feel bad, then someonew^Ill surely steal It. For the camp medical kit,get a bottle of pure grain alcohol. Put a fakea death's-— label on It "Antiseptic—Poison"—^wlthhead that even a savage w^Ill understand. For Internaluse, give a teaspoonful of it In three timesthe quantity of water. For dressing wounds, orgiving an alcohol rub, use three parts alcohol totwo of water; for a sprain, half-and-half.Another good and quickly diffusible stimulant Isaromatic spirits of ammonia, one teaspoonful in halfa glass of water. It Is useful for various otherpurposes that will be mentioned later.No liquid can well be carried In a pocket emergencycase ; but there Is room for a few strychnine