FoodNet

The housekeeper's companion

1883

Page 282

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Arterial Haemorrhage. — ^When a wound or other injury causes bleeding of a bright or vermillion red color, the blood flows from an artery. This is rendered clearer still if the blood flow in spirts or intermittent jets corresponding with the beats of the pulse. Venous HiEMORRHAGE is known by the even flow of the blood and its darker color. Treatment. — Venous Bleeding. — If the bleeding from a wound be of the dark venous character, or being, as is often the case, partly arterial also, but not very profuse, gentle pres- sure will sometimes suffice to check the flow; or the application of cold water or ice, or exposure to cold air, may stop the bleeding. A slight flow of blood can be arrested by matico, or by a piece of linen lint soaked in Friar's balsam or tincture of perchloride of iron. Arterial Bleeding. — If the bleeding be arterial, as indi- cated by its flowing in jets, firm pressure should be made over the wounded vessel, if in such a position as to admit of it. Supposing that the pressure of the hand does not suffice to 3tanch the bleeding, then pressure should be made by tying a MEDICINAL. 383 handkerchief or bandage so that the knot shall press over the wound. If the wound has been inflicted on one of the ex- tremities, the bleeding may be arrested by tying a ligature round the limb, so as to press a pad of lint upon the artery. If the pad be soaked in Friar's balsam, or tincture of matico, it will be of more service. Arresting Bleeding from the Arm. — Pressure by the fingers on the main artery of the arm, as it passes in the arm- pit along the inner side of the arm under the shoulder joint, will assist in checking the haemorrhage from a wound of the forearm or hand. The artery may also be firmly compressed at the elbow-joint by bending the arm firmly, and laying the hand of the same side on the point of the shoulder. Artery of the Thigh. — In cases of obstinate arterial bleeding from any part of the lower extremity, firm pressure should be made in the groin, where the large artery of the limb may be easily felt beating as it passes down the thigh. When, by the means above described, the bleeding has been arrested, we should proceed to examine the wound with the help of a sponge, and search for the bleeding vessel. Of Tying an Artery. — Supposing that aix tnese means have been tried, and the bleeding still continues or returns when the pressure is taken off, the wound should be carefully washed with a sponge and cold water, and pressure being ap- plied, the cut end of the wounded vessel sought for and tied, thus: When found, the bleeding end of the vessel should be taken hold of with a pair of fine-pointed forceps and held up, so that an assistant may pass a piece of silk or thread round it, which should then be tied into a double knot, taking care that the thread be not tied too tightly, as by doing so the artery may again be divided. One end of the thread should then be cut off and the other left hanging out of the wound, which should then be dressed with lint or linen dipped in cold water. The ligature will generally come away in about a week. There are other means of checking bleeding, if the vessel wounded is not very large, of which the following are the most handy: