Specific Injury Treatments

3. Specific Injury Treatments

3.1 Blood Hemorrhages and Excessive Bleeding

For a blood hemorrhage, get a clean dry cloth and cover the area of bleeding. Apply direct pressure. The cloth should make a larger surface to aid in clotting. The blood should start to clot within three minutes if the cut is not too severe. If the cut is deep, and bleeding is severe, then it may take as long as ten minutes for the blood to clot.

If there is massive blood loss, strong spurting of blood, and a weakened pulse or falling blood pressure, then you should carefully apply a tourniquet between the wound and the heart. A quick tourniquet can be made from a shirt and belt.

Be careful when applying a. tourniquet that you do not cut off all circulation beneath the wound. After twenty minutes of tight pressure, you may release the tourniquet gradually for five minutes and then tighten it again. You do not want to leave a tourniquet on for long periods of time as it may damage the tissue beneath the wounded area.

Excessive bleeding can be a very frightening experience, but remember: You can lose up to half of the blood in your body and still be able to function.

A severe cut or wound may require stitches. Accept the stitches but refuse any injections or treatments for “infections.”

In all cases, blood transfusions should not be used. A person who has lost over 50% of his blood will produce more new blood faster if a transfusion is not given. Transfusions can cause serious problems or even death. The blood may be contaminated in handling; hemolytic reactions can occur between two different blood types, resulting in a 50% mortality rate; air in the transfused blood can cause death; blood is often obtained from “paid” donors who often have drugs and other toxins in the blood given for use in transfusions.

3.2 Wounds and Puncture Wounds

Cleanliness is important in treating wounds. Wash the area thoroughly with plain water. Wash or gently scrub to remove all dirt and particles. Do not use soap or antiseptics. If the wound is not too deep or bleeding profusely, leave it open to fresh air and sunlight. If a deep wound, cover it with a porous bandage, such as gauze held with tape. Do not use airtight bandages, or bandaids. Let air circulate through the bandage to the wound.

If the wound is a puncture, such as caused by a nail or glass, you may let the wound bleed freely for a few minutes. If the wound is small and slender (such as made by a nail), gently massage and press around the wound to encourage a small amount of bleeding. There is a purpose to bleeding; it acts to carry away foreign particles from the wounded area. If the wound is large and blood is pouring, then suturing may be required.

In no case, however, are anti-tetanus shots required or any other injections for so-called infection. The introduction of poisons (drugs) or bactericides into the bloodstream cannot be of any help to a wounded body. Considerable harm can be done.

3.3 Cuts, Burns, and Scalds

For immediate relief, immerse the burned or scalded area into cool water. Keep the area clean, and protect any open wound with a light moist covering (such as thick gauze dampened with water). Let the burned or wounded area be open to fresh air and open circulation. Keep burns, however, out of direct sunlight. Salves and ointments should not be used. Cool, fresh compresses should be alternated with exposure to open air. Some Hygienists have reported using freshly-pressed celery juice or a compress made from fresh green plants to alleviate the burning sensation and reduce pain.

3.4 Sprains, Strains, and Torn Ligaments

Rest—do not move needlessly. Fix the limb in one position and immobilize the joint for the initial period. If the limb is dislocated, you may need to see an osteopath or orthopedist to get the limb back into place. In any case, refuse all drugs, including pain-killing pills.

If in pain, immerse the affected joint into cool (not ice) water for one to two minutes and then take out. Repeat this five or six times an hour for as long as there is pain.

After pain leaves, stay off the affected limb or do not use it for a period of time. Gradually start exercising, but do not be in a hurry to put a lot of pressure or strain on the limb.

3.5 Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Skin Rashes

Bathe immediately. Apply copious amounts of cool to cold (not ice cold) water. Do not rub or scrub area. Do not apply salves or ointments. Do not allow direct or intense sunlight to burn or heat the area. Do keep the rash open to fresh air. Rest and relax—the stress that accompanies a skin rash can often aggravate it. Do not worry. Apply cool compresses for itching and do not scratch.

3.6 Snake Bites

A poisonous snake usually makes fang marks. A non-poisonous snake usually makes a U-shaped mark.

If you are sure that the snake is nonpoisonous, then simply wash and clean the punctured area. Allow a small amount of bleeding to occur. Watch the victim for any reactions.

If the snake is poisonous, immediate action is necessary:

1. First, have the person lay down flat and stay calm. Have him/her breathe long, slow, and deeply to slow down the pulse rate and circulation. It is very important that neither you nor the victim show any signs of panic.
2. Next, apply a tourniquet as quickly as possible around the upper arm, leg, or thigh. Twist the tourniquet tight with a stick until you can feel almost no pulse at all in the limb that the tourniquet is applied to. Leave this on tight for twenty minutes, then release for five minutes. This can be done for up to several hours if you watch the circulation and do not leave a tight tourniquet on for extended periods with no release.
3. Transport the victim in a vehicle if at all possible; do not allow him to walk or become excited. The venom may be removed from around the area by a suction cup. Anti-venom shots should not be used.
4. Fast the victim afterwards.

3.7 Spider or Insect Bites

Most insect bites are only slightly poisonous. Do nothing and forget about them. You may wish to fast if you have multiple stings or swelling.

Some insects, such as scorpions and black widow spiders, can cause a numb feeling for up to 24 hours. In this case, a one- to two-day fast will help restore the body to normal.

If the stinger remains in the skin, carefully remove it. Be cautious, however—many stingers that are left in the skin often have a tiny poison sack at one end. If you press this sack when you remove the stinger, more poison will be shot into your skin. Use tweezers or a razor blade along the surface, taking care not to press the stinger or the poison sack.

The pain and itching will soon cease, and there is no need for salves or ointments.

3.8 Poisoning By Swallowing

After a poison is swallowed, you have only 20 to 30 minutes to neutralize it. After that, the poison will be transported throughout the body.

Be careful about inducing vomiting. Some poisons, such as caustic acids, can actually do more harm when they are vomited back up. It is usually best to try to neutralize or dilute the swallowed poison by drinking large amounts of water. Although milk may not be a fit food, it can certainly be used to good effect in neutralizing poisons. Milk can neutralize both acid and alkali poisons. If milk is available, have the victim drink as much as he can hold.

If spontaneous vomiting starts, don’t stop it. Similarly, if diarrhea or fever occur after the poisoning, do nothing to stop them, even if the fever reaches 106 degrees or more. If the person is unconscious or is having convulsions, do not attempt to make him/her vomit the poison. He/she may choke to death.

If the mouth appears burned, or if lye or petroleum (like gasoline) products were swallowed, definitely do not allow vomiting to take place. Any products that are thrown up which contain lye or petroleum products can severely damage the esophagus and lungs.

Since vomiting is not to be encouraged in many cases of poisoning, try the following liquids to neutralize the poison’s effects:

For acid poisons, drink either milk, olive oil, egg whites, or water containing baking soda.

For alkali poisons, drink either milk, raw eggs, olive oil, or water containing lemon juice or vinegar.

In some cases, the stomach may need to be pumped or, an antidote given. An antidote is of course a foreign substance, but in most cases, it is less dangerous than the poison swallowed and may be the most expeditious way of saving a life.

After neutralizing the poison, rest and fast for several days. Drink only pure water, and let the body heal any internal damage.

3.9 Asphyxiation or Suffocation

Give artificial respiration. Place the person flat on the back, turn the head to one side, and remove any obstructions from the mouth. Make sure that the tongue is not curled up in back of the mouth. Press the victim’s nostrils together, and blow into the mouth every four seconds. Pump the arms and lungs as necessary to get the breathing going again. Even if there is no response, continue blowing into the mouth and try to fill up the person’s lungs. People have often been kept alive for long periods by simply giving them artificial respiration and not giving up.

3.10 Choking

Someone who is choking won’t be able to utter a sound. He may also clutch at his throat. Here’s what to
do:

1. Stand behind the victim and support him in front. Bend forward and slap him soundly between the shoulder blades to dislodge material from his throat.
2. If that doesn’t work, try these steps called the Heimlich Maneuver:
1. Wrap your arms around the victim’s waist from behind.
2. Make a fist and push it, thumb in, against the victim’s stomach, between the belly button and ribs.
3. Grab the fist with the other hand and pull sharply in and up. If necessary, repeat several times.

3.11 Electrocution and Drowning

Artificial respiration and resuscitation are necessary, just as for asphyxiation. (See the technique on mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in the next section, “Emergency Techniques.”)

For an electrocution victim, it may take four to five hours to revive the victim. Do not give up; have some one relieve you, but continue with the artificial respiration until you can get help. For a drowning victim, make sure that the mouth passage is cleared out and that no swallowed water remains in the lung passageway. Continue as above with artificial respiration.

3.12 Convulsions

Make sure that the person cannot injure him or herself. At the first sign of a convulsive fit, place a rolled piece of cloth between the teeth to prevent the tongue from being bitten in the attack. Keep the person under close observation, remove any harmful objects within reach, and simply wait. Convulsions may last from 30 seconds to an hour. Brain damage is more apt to occur because of interference with the convulsions than from the convulsions themselves.

3.13 Appendicitis (Acute)

This is an extremely painful condition, but one that rarely requires surgery unless severely neglected. At the first sign of pain, call a Natural Hygienic practitioner.

Bring the knees up as high as possible to the chest to relieve some of the pain. Do NOT eat. Do NOT drink. Do NOT take enemas. Do NOT press, poke, push, or prod painful area. Do NOT apply heat or cold.

Unless peritonitis develops, you can go through an appendicitis attack without any surgery or outside interference. If, because of neglect and continued dietary errors and excesses, the appendix should rupture, then certain surgery may be necessary to drain the abdominal cavity. When peritonitis does develop, you can tell by the presence of a very high fever and a tremendous rigidity of the abdominal muscles. The stomach area becomes “tight as a drum” and very rigid.

Such an extreme condition would not result if a fast were started at the first sign of an appendicitis attack. Most people, however, ignore the first few warnings and continue with their old ways of eating. Appendicitis is due 100% to dietary errors.

3.14 Vomiting and Diarrhea

Do nothing to stop either vomiting or diarrhea. Watch for dehydration if they persist for a long period of time. Drink only water. Stop all food intake. Begin an immediate fast.

3.15 Nosebleeds

Sit the patient in a chair with the head tilted forward.

Moisten a piece of cotton and place inside the bleeding nostril. Press the nostrils together and hold for at least five minutes or more, and have patient breathe through his mouth. After bleeding stops, the cotton should stay in place for several hours.

3.16 Stings by Jellyfish, Wasps, Fire Ants, Etc.

These types of stings are accompanied by a neurotoxin that is injected under the skin. The only serious effect of such an attack is usually great pain. To relieve the pain, try a paste of baking soda and water. In some cases, relief can also be obtained by rubbing lemon juice or vinegar around the bite.

3.17 Dog Bites

Wash the wound well with water only, and let it bleed freely for a few minutes. Clot the blood with a clean cloth. If the area is not so large as to require stitches, then simply forget about it.

Do NOT get rabies shots or treatments. Such treatments are far more dangerous than the bite.

3.18 Foreign Particles in the Eye

Wash your hands and then carefully pull your upper lid down over the lower lid. Wipe the corner of the eye gently with a clean cloth or cotton. Do NOT rub the eye. This may push the particle farther under the lid. Try to get the eye to “cry” or to “tear.”

If irritation continues or if a piece of glass is in the eye, then seek professional help in removing it.

3.19 Broken Bones

Do NOT move the victim, unless it is a question of life or death, if the broken bone is in the neck or spine. Wait for outside help if possible. If you cannot wait, make a temporary splint and transport the victim as best you can. For a temporary splint, you can use branches, boards, or even the body itself (e.g., tie broken leg to uninjured one). For a broken ankle, carefully wrap the foot in a pillow, and tie it closed. For any fracture, don’t tie anything directly over the wound—tie above and below it. Best procedure, thought, is to wait for help to arrive if you can.

A broken bone is rarely a critical situation; you can usually wait and have it set by an osteopath or orthopedist.

Rolled newspaper splint.

3.20 Heart Attack or Stroke

Some or all of these symptoms can point to a heart attack:

1. Pain, usually in the middle of the chest, or in the left shoulder or arm, or the neck. May feel like a crushing force.
2. Pale and sweaty skin.
3. Feeling of impending doom.
4. Shortness of breath.

Here’s what to do:

Place the victim horizontal, and elevate the head slightly. Loosen or remove all constricting clothing. Give artificial respiration and fairly vigorous cardiac massage if the heart appears stopped. (See the “How to Give CPR” in the “Emergency Techniques” section.)

Make sure that fresh air is available, and the patient is kept warm. After the attack, complete resting (including a fast) is essential.