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Show V ..; l What tO DO Contusions or I ! Before the I 1 I I By DR. W. H. BAILEY I j Doctor Comes iZTZi&i?edical V (y Contusions are those injuries to the tissues of the body caused by their coming in contact with some blunt object. ob-ject. In simple or slight contusions the Injury is confined to the area very closely surrounding the point of contact. con-tact. In severe contusions the systemic sys-temic effect or the shock produced may cause Immediate death. In a contusion con-tusion the external skin surface is not broken and only the underlying structures struc-tures show evidence of injury. To a greater or less extent a contusion accompanies ac-companies lacerated and incised wounds (where the skin is broken) and in many cases it is a very serious complication. Any of the structures below the skin may be Injured by a contusion as the tearing of muscle fibers, rupturing of blood vessels, paralyzing para-lyzing of nerves or crushing of bones. The part injured Is tender on pressure pres-sure and painful on movement. Swelling Swell-ing may take place at once from the rupture of a blood vessel or after a short time from the collection of serum to the part. There is always a certain amount of shock produced which in some cases, as some contusions con-tusions of the abdomen, may cause Immediate Im-mediate death. After a few days, in most instances, the blood from the ruptured blood vessels finds its way towards the surface and the skin becomes be-comes discolored. This is very noticeably no-ticeably shown In cases of "black and blue" eyes. Sometimes the tissues have been so deadened that they break down and slough away or become Infected In-fected and are destroyed by that means. Preventive Measures. As preventive measures for contusions, contus-ions, never strike any one about the head, face, or body, especially In the abdomen. Nearly every one knows how easily his wind may be "knocked out" even by a light blow In the abdomen. abdo-men. In games, such as football, where contusions are liable to be frequent, protect the body by guards and pads as much as possible. Treatment. The best treatment for the contusion contus-ion Itself is absolute rest of the part for a short time. This may be procured pro-cured by bandages, slings, splints or putting the patient to bed. Firm bandaging ban-daging lessens the amount of swelling and favors its re-absorption. Cold in the form of Icebags or cold water placed on the part also tend to lessen the swelling. Considerable caution must be used in the application of cold as the tissues are always a little devltatized by the contusion and the added slowing of the circulation by the cold may cause them to die and decay. Therefore, if the tissues appear to have a low vitality, they should be kept warm by being surrounded by hot water bottles and covered with warmed warm-ed blankets and other covers. After a few days the part should be massaged, kneaded, and moved about, slowly at first but with Increasing force. Rubbing with some liniment as wltchhazel, arnica or soap liniment may also help some to Improve the conditions at this time. When the Shock Is General. If the general shock Is at all severe It must be treated by stimulants as aromatic spirits of ammonia, brandy or strong coffee. The patient must he kept warm by covers and some form of artificial heat as hot-water bottles or heated bricks. If breathing has stopped, as Is so often the case in blows on the stomach, artificial respiration res-piration should be given at once and maintained continuously until the patient pa-tient is able to breath normally. Methods Meth-ods of artificial respiration will be given when treatment of drowning is considered. A physician should be called in all cases where the shock is at all marked, mark-ed, as some serious Injury may have been done to some of the internal organs. |