Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

458 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTKnee.—Try a strong, steady pull. If successfulapply a splint. There will be a great tendency toinflammation, which is to be combatted with coldapplications, or lead and opium lotion.Ankle.—The patient lies down and bends hisleg to a right angle at the knee. Then he, or anassistant, grasps his hands around the thigh andpulls backward, while you pull the foot steadilytoward you. When reduced, support the jointwith a right-angled splint made by nailing twopieces of board together in that position, one for thefoot and the other for the lower leg.Fractures.—If a bone is broken, and a surgeoncan be summoned within a couple of days, do nottry to reduce the fracture. Place the man in acomfortable position, the injured part resting on apad, and keep him perfectly quiet. In lifting thelimb to slip the pad under, one hand should supportthe bone on each side of the break. Be verycareful that the flesh and skin shall not be cutby the knife-like edges of broken bone, as suchafter-injury may have serious consequences.It may be, however, that 5^ou must act ?.s surgeonyourself. If the bone is broken in only oneplace, and it does not protrude, the injury is notserious. Get splints and bandages ready. Rip theclothing up the seam, and steadily pull the brokenparts in opposite directions, without the slightesttwisting. Begin gently, and gradually increasethe strain. It may take a strong pull. When thetwo pieces are end to end, an assistant must gentlywork them till they fit. This will be announcedby a slight thud. Then apply splints, and bandagethem so as to hold the injured member immovablewhile the fracture heals.Bark, when it can be peeled, makes the bestsplints for an arm or leg. Pick out a sapling(chestnut, basswood, elm, cedar, spruce) as nearthe size of the limb as possible. Remove the barkin two equal pieces by vertical slits.These should