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Apothecaries' Measure: Splinters

Splinters. Wood splinters, if not too brittle, may generally be extracted by tweezers or forceps, by seizing the end and pulling steadily and carefully in the direction opposite that in which they entered. Nature will soon make them easier of extraction by the formation of matter around them. To get hold of a splinter under the nail, cut out out a V-shaped portion of the nail above it, and then the end can be seized. Splinters of glass, unless readily extracted, should be left to the skill of the surgeon. When a splinter in the eye cannot be extracted, bathe in cold water and bandage loosely, so as to keep the eye as quiet as possible till the surgeon arrives.

Sprains. Treat sprains by rest, elevation of the limb, cold, moist applications at first, and afterward either cold or warm, whichever gives the greater degree of comfort. A splint or bandage is sometimes useful.

Suffocation. Treat by quick removal to the open air, loosen the garments and apply friction and artificial respiration, if necessary. To escape injury by the heavier gases, as carbonic acid gas, the gases of mines, wells, etc., strive to keep the head above them. To escape through smoke, cover the head with some article of clothing, and seek the outlet with the head as near the floor as possible.

Sunstroke.-Treat this by removing the clothing, applying ice to the head and armpits until the high temparature is lowered and consciousness returns, when it should be discontinued until a rising temperature again calls for it. A cold bath of iced water may be very beneficial.

Thirst is a fever of the palate, which may be somewhat relieved by other means than drinking fluids. The mouth is kept moist, and thirst is mitigated by exciting the saliva to flow. This may be done by chewing, something as a leaf, or by keeping in the mouth a bullet or a pebble. A spoonful of fat or butter will act on the irritated membranes of the mouth and throat. Life may be prolonged without drinking by keeping the clothes and skin constantly wet, even if the water be salt. Care must be taken on giving water to persons nearly dead from thirst. Give a little at a time, and keep the whole body wet.

Toothache. When due to a hollow tooth, cleanse the cavity with a little drycotton on a probe or large needle, and then pack into the cavity a wad of cotton which has been dipped in creosote, oil of cloves, or ether. When there is no cavity, try bathing the face and gums with some of the various anodynes.

Water. In all localities where the quality of the water is suspicious, condensed water should, if possible, be used for drinking and cooking purposes. When this is not feasible, the water should be carefully filtered and boiled. Two barrels, one inside the other, having a space of four or six inches clear all round between them, filled with layers of sand, gravel, and charcoal, form an excellent filter. The inside one, without a bottom, rests on three stones placed in layers of sand, charcoal, and coarse gravel; the water, flowing, or being poured into the space between the two barrels, and having thus to force its way through the substances into the inner barrel, becomes purified. The water should be drawn off by means of a pipe, running through the outer into the inner barrel. Animal charcoal is the best. When, after a time, it ceases to act, it should be removed and well dried. It can then be used again with advantage. It is impossible to use too much of it. The popular French plan of purifying turbid water (alumage de l'eau.) simply consists in the addition of a small quantity of alum. It clears the water very rapidly, but merely converts the lime carbonate into sulphate, which remains in solution.