Important: Safety Warning
This page gives first-aid or emergency advice that predates modern medicine and can make an emergency worse. Do not follow it. In any medical emergency, call emergency services and follow current first-aid guidance.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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Apothecaries' Measure: Hemorrhage
Hemorrhages.-In hemorrhage from an artery the blood is bright red, and spurts or jets out from a cut. To stop it, make compression between the wound and the heart. In venous hemorrhage the blood is dark in color, and flows in a steady stream. To stop it, make compression on the side of the wound away from the heart. Hemorrhage from the lungs is bright red and frothy, while that from the stomach is of dark color. To make thorough compression of a blood-vessel, knot a large handkerchief in the middle, place the knot over the line of the vessel, tie the ends firmly around the limb, thrust a short stick beneath, and twist by turning the stick like you turn an augur.
Hemorrhage from the nose may be stopped generally by snuffing up the nose salt and water, alum and water or vinegar, or by applying ice between the shoulders, or at the back of the neck, or by putting bits of lint into the nostrils, and raising the arms over the head. Keep head raised. In hemorrhage from the lungs, place the patient in a sitting posture in bed, giving teaspoonful doses of salt and vinegar every fifteen minutes, and applying ice cold water to the chest unless the patient is too weak to bear it. In hemorrhage from the stomach, broken ice may be swallowed with teaspoonful doses of vinegar.
In hemorrhage from the bowels, use ice water injections and ice over the abdomen.
Injuries to the Brain. - Blows or falls upon the head are liable to injure the brain in two ways. Concussion of the brain is recognized by the sickness, faintness, pallor, depression, and confusion of the patient, and is best treated by placing the patient on his back in a quiet cool place, loosening the clothing and applying heat to the body and limbs, if they be clammy or cold. Compression of the brain is due to fracture of the skull, generally a portion being depressed. The symptoms and treatment about the same as apoplexy. Ivy Poisoning or Poison Oak. - Treated by the application of cloths saturated with sugar-of-lead water, or with a solution of bicarbonate of soda in water. Hot water applications will give instant relief.