FRACT1JBES Broken Bones.—A layman should not attempt to set a bone. For gen eral purposes we recognize two kinds of broken bones: First, those which do not break through the skin and, second, those in which the bones do protrude through the skin.
The thing to do in a fracture is make the injured person comfortable, and keep the injured part perfectly at rest. Handle the fractured limb very carefully, cut off the clothing, lay the limb on a splint, placing enough cotton or soft material un derneath the injured part to make it comfortable, then bandage lightly to prevent the edges of the bones from moving upon one another.
In compound fractures, dress the wound and cover with gauze, cotton, and a bandage.
In a fractured hand the splint should extend from the elbow beyond the fingers. Remember to pad the splint, having a thick wad of padding under the palm of the hand. Place the arm in a sling.
In fracture of a finger a splint should be placed against the finger on the palmar surface and extended from tip of finger to the wrist Pad the splint and bind to the finger, and support it by placing the arm in a sling.
A broken wrist should have a splint extending well up the forearm.
Broken Forearm. — Usually both bones are broken. I would advise placing two splints padded evenly with plenty of cotton, on the arm from elbow to tips of fingers, then bandage and place in sling.
Upper Arm Fracture. — Place splints on each side of the arm and bandage to the body. If the fracture is high up toward the armpit, place a pad of folded lint in the armpit and extend under the arm; then bind the upper arm to the side of the chest and place the elbow in a sling.
In fractures of the collar bone or shoulder blade, bring the hand up across the chest to the opposite shoul der, and bandage the arm to the chest.
In fracture of the ribs, if it is nec essary to move the patient, strap the affected side with strips of adhesive plaster from the spine to the chest bone.
In fracture of the jaw, put the bones in place and bind a bandage across the head, relieving the bones of all strain. All that can be done in fracture of the nose is to pack the nose with gauze and stop the bleed ing.