First Lesson in First Aid to the Injured

“Please, Miss Helpem, Can’t I be the Soldier?”

“Good morning, children,” she began. “We will imagine all kinds of troubles and accidents this morning, and we will not be a bit gloomy over them, for our thoughts will all be on how we can help the sick and hurt people.”

“Please, Miss Helpem, can’t I be the soldier?” begged Ibee Brave.

“And can’t I pretend to drive the field ambulance?” asked little Jack.

“And can’t I be run over?” asked another boy.

“Mercy, children,” exclaimed the nurse, “please wait for an explanation—and in the next lesson, I’ll assign you all something to do. Now, ready with your note-books and pencils to take down the list of articles needed for the medicine closet. You will learn what they are to be used for later. Keep the list and show it to your parents when you get home. Now write as I dictate:

Medicine Closet

In every home there should be a certain closet or shelf high above little children’s reach, where the medicines and articles needed in emergencies are kept. Among these should be found, plainly labeled, the following:[B]

1. Tincture of Iodine.
2. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia.
3. Boric Acid Powder.
4. Stearate of Zinc.
5. Pure Alcohol.
6. Lime Water.
7. Carron Oil.
8. Epsom Salt.
9. Soda Mint and Pepsin Tablets.
10. Baking Soda.
11. Household Ammonia.
12. Adhesive (Zinc Oxide) Plaster.
13. Tube Vaseline.
14. Capsicum Vaseline.
15. Peroxide of Hydrogen.
16. Castor Oil.
17. Witch Hazel.
18. Essence of Ginger.
19. Syrup of Ipecac.
20. Spirit of Camphor.
21. Sweet Spirit of Nitre.
22. Boric Acid Ointment.
23. Powdered Alum.
24. Borax.
25. Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb.
26. Picric Acid Gauze.
27. Aromatic Smelling Salts.
28. Oil of Cloves.
29. Normal Salt Solution.
30. Powdered Mustard.
31. Essence of Peppermint.
32. Tincture of Arnica.
33. Oil of Turpentine.
34. Aseptic Absorbent Cotton.
35. Sterile Gauze.
36. Triangular Bandages.
37. Roller Bandages.
38. Rubber Ear Syringe.
39. Fountain Syringe.
40. Measuring Glass.
41. Eye Dropper.
42. Hot Water Bottle.

The children wrote very quietly and listened attentively to what Miss Helpem told them about being prepared for Ordinary Household Accidents, such as cuts, burns, scalds, bruises, stings, etc.

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“Children,” beamed Miss Helpem as they finished writing the list, “I never dreamed you could be so interested. Why, not one of you has been inattentive! Now, as a reward, I shall show you how—