FoodNet

The housekeeper's companion

1883

Page 244

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Treatment. — The treatment of broken ribs consists main- ly in procuring rest for the ribs. This is done by firmly band- aging with a calico bandage, three or four inches wide, the entire chest, so as to diminish the movement of the ribs in breathing. The patient should be kept in bed quietly on his back for a few days after the accident. Any pain should be allayed by Dover's powder or tincture of opium. If severe pain or distress of breathing come on, it probably results from pleurisy. Broken Collar-bone. — When this bone is broken the patient cannot raise his arm without pain. The arm drops, and the patient supports it with the other hand; the shoulder also drops forward and inwards. On feeling gently along the col- lar-bone, comparing it at the same time with the same bone on the opposite side, the inequality of line at the point of fracture may often be detected. Treatment. — The method of treatment to be pursued is as follows: The shoulder should be raised and pressed gently backward; a pad should be plac- ed in the armpit. This pad should be about two inches thick, and is best made with a pair of stockings rolled up. A figure- of-eight bandage should then be applied, as in the figure. The arm on the injured side should he bound to the side with an- other bandage, and the hand and forearm placed in a sling. This bone should be kept in this po- sition for four weeks, the band- age not being moved during that time, unless they slip or loosen, in which case they should be carefully tightened MEDICINAL. 339. Bones of the Nose. — The broken fragments should be replaced as near as possible in their proper position. This may- be conveniently done by raising them from the inside by means of a probe. If the fracture is compound — that is to say, if there is a wound communicating with the broken bones — this should be searched for splinters of bone, which should be removed by means of the forceps. Then apply water dressing. Compound Fractures. — These are fractures in which there is a wound communicating with the broken bone. In cases of this kind the fractured limb after being set should not be encased entirely with splints, but a space should be left for dressing the wound, which should be done as follows: If there are any pieces of bone loose, or nearly so, in the wound, they should be removed by means of the forceps. The wound should then be dressed with a piece of soft linen rag steeped in the following mixture: Carbolic acid, liquified by heat, 50 minims; olive oil to 4 fluid ounces; shake up, and mix thor- oughly. This rag should be applied in such a manner as to exclude all bubbles of air; the best way to do this is to cut the rag square and large enough to cover the entire wound — it does not signify if it overlaps the edges of the wound; soak it in oil, and then take hold of two of the corners of it and draw it slowly over the wound until it is covered. Any stray bubbles of air which may remain from the inequality of the surface of the wound should be gently pressed out by the fingers. This dressing should be changed every four or six hours. The limb should be kept cool.