BLEEDING To be efficient in stopping a hemor rhage it is necessary to know that blood comes from two sources, name ly, arteries and veins. It must also be remembered that blood in an ar tery comes from the heart, and that blood in a vein is on its way to the heart. Thus, in stopping the bleeding from an artery, pressure must be made between the heart and the wound, while in bleeding from a vein pressure must be made on the distant side of the wound.
It is not difficult to determine whether the bleeding is from an ar tery or a vein, as in an artery the blood spurts and pulsates, while blood from a vein oozes and flows without pulsation in a steady stream.
Bleeding from an artery, especially one of considerable size, is very se rious, and prompt efforts must be made to stop it.
General Rules for Treatment.— Send for a physician immediately. Have the injured person lie down and elevate the wounded part. This can be done readily if an arra or leg is affected. Remove clothing from the affected part—it may be neces sary to cut it off. Keep the patient as quiet as possible. Apply pressure direct upon the bleeding point by pressing the finger, covered with gauze, upon it. If the bleeding is from an artery, make pressure above the wound, that is, between it and the heart. This can be done with an elas tic band, a pair of elastic suspenders, or tightly wound bandages. In se vere cases a tourniquet 'must be used. This can be made by first strapping the limb with a bandage, making a knot in it, which should be placed at a point above the wound directly over the artery supplying the bleeding point. The artery can be located
with the index finger, as its pulsa tions can be detected. When the knot is made, a loop should be made also directly over it, through which a small stick can be placed. This cin be twisted, and thus pressure is brought to bear upon the artery un til the bleeding ceases. The bleed ing point must be watched in the event that the flow may recur. Such a tourniquet must not be left on the arm or leg for too long a time. In minor wounds the bleeding will be ar rested in 15 to 20 minutes, when the pressure can be reduced. In severe cases of bleeding, apply cold by means of ice bandages; in ordinary bleeding, pressure by means of gauze upon the wound is sufficient to stop it.
In excessive bleeding, general treat ment of the patient is needful. The patient may faint or become very weak. In the latter case heat should be applied to the extremities and blankets secured. To overcome the fainting, see directions for this pur pose.
After the bleeding has stopped, treat as a wound. Apply gauze which has been saturated in a mild antisep tic solution, then apply absorbent cotton and dress with bandages. Ab solute cleanliness must be observed. There are some popular ideas that cobwebs, tobacco, and salves are good to stop bleeding. They should never be used, as they may cause blood poi soning.