Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

454 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTembedded, let it alone ; the chances are that It will dono serious harm. Never probe a bullet wound. Donot pick out pellets of shot unless they are just underneaththe skin.If bits of clothing have been driven Into thewound, and they are not too deep to reach by alittle cutting, remove them ; the cloth Is almost sureto be alive with germs.When there Is extensive laceration, as from an expandingbullet, or from a charge of shot fired atclose quarters, check the bleeding, apply an antisepticdressing, keep the patient still so as not torenew bleeding, and treat for shock. No stimulants,unless absolutely necessary to prevent collapse.Bruises.—Severe bruises should be treatedpromptly by applying very cold water to the part,if It can be obtained. A cloth wrung out in veryhot water Vi^ill accomplish the same purpose, whichis to limit swelling, prevent discoloration, and reducepain. "It always seems strange that the twoopposites—cold and heat—should have the sameeffect on the blood-vessels, but this is actually thecase. . . . Every one knows how shrunken thehands look after they have been In hot water forsome time."Sprains.—^These, too, may be treated with eitherheat or cold. Perhaps the best way, before swellinghas commenced, is to Immerse the injured memberin very cold running water, or let cold waterdrain on It from an elevated vessel. The joint itself,should be elevated, too. If possible. Keep thisup as long as you can stand It. Then dissolvetablets of lead acetate and opium (directions onbottle) In water, soak a cloth In it, bind round thejoint, and keep the cloth wet with the lotion.If no treatment can be applied until the joint hasalready become swollen and painful, then immerseit in water as hot as can be borne, and raise theheat gradually thereafter to the limit of endurance(much hotter than you could stand at first).Whenthe pain lulls, change to an application of cloth