Training in first aid for civil defence purposes / issued by the Ministry of Home Security in conjunction with the Ministry of Health.

Date:: 1942

Credit: Training in first aid for civil defence purposes / issued by the Ministry of Home Security in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$The treatment of shock may be summarised as:— (1) Correct first aid for the injuries causing shock. (2) Warmth. (3) Fluids. (4) Rest. The first aid treatment of shock is simple but do not therefore regard it as unimportant. Apply it to the best of your ability in the case of every injured person. By doing so many lives will be saved. CHAPTER X 15. FRACTURES; SPLINTS; CERTAIN SPECIAL FRACTURES The initial first aid courses describe the signs and symptoms which may be present in cases of fracture :— . Pain at or near the place where the bone is broken. . Loss of power of movement of the affected limb. . Swelling round the part affected. . Deformity, the limb falling into an unnatural position and having an abnormal shape. It may be shortened by over-riding of the fragments of the broken bone. . Irregularity. If the bone is close to the surface the break in its con- tinuity may be felt, and if the fracture is compound, the bone may be exposed and visible. we OF DD x General Rules for the First Aid Treatment of Fractures (1) The object of first aid treatment of a fracture is to prevent a serious injury from being made worse and especially to guard against the movements of the patient or careless handling by helpers converting a simple fracture into a compound, or an uncomplicated fracture into a complicated. (2) Attend to the fracture on the spot unless the surroundings or conditions are such that danger to life is threatened, or there is danger of further injury. In any case stand by the patient until the fracture has been attended to and the injured limb secured and, except for the reasons already mentioned, do not move him until this has been done. Care in handling and movement is im- portant for all fractures and is especially so for fractures of the spine, pelvis and ribs. (3) If there is urgent severe bleeding endangering life, it must be controlled first of all. (4) Wrap blankets or coats round the patient, using great care not to move him unduly. Warmth and air are indicated as part of the efforts to counter shock. Merely covering the patient is not enough to prevent him becoming chilled. (5) With great care, and without using force, place the limb in as natural a position as possible. In the case of compound fracture with a protruding fragment, it is forbidden to attempt to pull it back into place. (6) Apply splints, bandages or slings over the clothing to immobilise the fracture, except in cases where this is of the compound variety, when it will be necessary to remove some portion of the clothing and apply a dressing to the wound. If the factor of urgency is present, as it most frequently is, and delay may be occasioned by elaborate splinting, this treatment may be dispensed with and the fracture immobilised by carefully securing the injured$