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First Aid and Life Saving
269

fingers have. Tie the stick in position so it will not untwist.

Warning: When using a tourniquet remember that cutting off the circulation for a long time is dangerous. It is much safer not to keep on a tourniquet more than an hour. Loosen it, but be ready to tighten it again quickly if bleeding re-commences.

Another method to stop bleeding from an artery when the wound below the knee or elbow is to place a pad in the bend

of the joint and double the limb back over it holding the pad in tightly. Tie the arm or leg in this position. If these means do not check the bleeding put a pad to the wound and press on it there. If you have no dressing and blood is being lost very rapidly, make pressure in the wound with your fingers Remember, however, that this should only be resorted to in the case of absolute necessity as it will infect the wound.

Blood from veins flows in a steady stream back toward the heart and is dark in color. From most veins a pad firmly bandaged on the bleeding point will stop the bleeding. If a vein in the neck is wounded, blood will be lost so rapidly that the injured person is in danger of immediate death, so you must disregard the danger of infection and jam your hand tightly against the bleeding point.

Keep the patient quiet in all cases of severe bleeding for even it is checked it may start up again. Do not give any stimulants until the bleeding has been checked unless the patient is very weak. The best stimulant is aromatic spirits of ammonia, one teaspoonful in half a glass of water.