Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

456 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTpress the neck of the hernia back in line with themiddle of the canal through which it has descended.If it does not return after a little manipulation, applycold cloths for an hour, then try again. Donot persevere long enough to set up inflammation. Ifsuccessful, cover with a pad tightly bandaged overthe groin. If not, keep the patient on his backuntil medical help arrives.Dislocations.—If a joint is dislocated, or abone broken, don't grasp the limb at once and pull;but first consider the anatomy of the injured part.Rough and unskilled handling is likely to do moreharm than good.A dislocation means that the head of a bone hasslipped out of its socket, probably tearing the ligaments,and has failed to slip back again as in asprain. Some dislocations, particularly of the wristor ankle, are hard to distinguish from fractures.When you must operate on a comrade, go tqwork at once, before the muscles have become rigidand the joint badly swollen. Should much difficultybe experienced, do not persist in trying to getthe joint into place, but surround it with flannelcloths wrung out in hot water, and support withsoft pads, until a surgeon can be found.After a dislocation has been reduced, the jointmust be kept rigid with bandages or splints for aconsiderable time, as the ligaments are weak and arecurrence of the trouble is all too easy.Three dislocations out of every four are in theshoulder, arm, or hand, and among these, dislocationof the shoulder Is most frequent.Fingers.—Pull straight out away from thehand. Generally the bone will slip into place.Dislocation of the thumb is more likely to beforward than backward. Press the thumb backwardand at the same time try to lift the headof the bone into its socket. If you fail, after oneor two trials, go for a surgeon.Wrist.—Fracture is more common than dislocationof the MTist.If in doubt, treat as a fracture.