Royal Army Medical Corps training, 1908 / War Office.

Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Royal Army Medical Corps training, 1908 / War Office. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    as the general lines of preparation for operation under antiseptic precautions. It admits that some germs may be present, and takes steps accordingly to destroy them. Recently, however, many surgeons are endeavouring to do away with antiseptics in operations to a great extent. This requires even greater cleanliness than the course above described ; it is known as the aseptic method. 161. After treatment of operation cases.—This is carried out on the usual lines laid down in the chapters on nursing. The patient requires watching carefully until he regains consciousness, and if there is a tendency to vomit the head should be turned to one side. For the first 24 hours after an operation the dressing should be frequently examined (without in any way disturbing it). Should blood or discharge appear, the dressing will require to be “re-packed” (z.e., a fresh pad of sterilized wool applied outside . the original dressing, which must not be disturbed). All antiseptic precautions must be taken. Should this or any other accident happen (such as urine being spilt), the sister or senior N.C.O. should be at once informed, as the dressing may require to be changed. CHAPTER IX, BLEEDING OR HAMORRHAGE. 1. VARIETIES. 162. Bleeding or hemorrhage occurs when any portion of the system of blood-vessels gives way, or is opened into by injury or disease. There are three varieties of hemorrhage :— (A) Arterial. (B) Venous. (c) Capillary. These three varieties may furthermore occur :— (1) Externally, when the blood can be seen escaping, such as frum a. cut. (2) Internally, when the blood escapes in the tissues or organs of the body and cannot be seen. This variety may be recognized by the symptoms of the patient, as will be subsequently described. Bleeding in moderate quantity into the tissues of the body is often spoken of as an ‘‘ extravasation.”