In case of persistent nosebleed, put the child to bed with the head elevated. Pressure should be put on the blood vessels going to the nose by placing two fingers firmly on the outer angles of the nose on the upper lip, while a helper may put firm pressure at the root of the nose at the inner angle of each eye. An ice bag may be placed at the back of the neck, and another piece of ice held on the forehead at the root of the nose. If these measures do not stop the flow of blood a few drops of adrenalin may be put into the nose and repeated in five minutes if necessary. As the bleeding begins to stop, as well as during the bleeding, all blowing of the nose is forbidden as it will only cause the bleeding to start afresh. It sometimes helps to hold a piece of ice in the hands.
CUTS AND TEARS
A cut with smooth edges, if deep, should be allowed to bleed freely, should be washed in boracic acid solution, and its edges held together by a stitch which is usually put in by a physician; but if treatment is to be given at home, the hands of the nurse must be thoroughly washed and the thread and needle boiled for twenty minutes. If the physician has been sent for, make firm pressure over the wound by bandaging tightly with a dressing of sterile gauze dipped in boracic acid solution.
In case of a slight cut, make it bleed freely, then wash in boracic-acid solution and apply sterile gauze held in place by a binder. If no odor or pain follows, let alone for two or three days, when a new dressing is applied.
A physician should be called in case of ragged wounds or tears, as such usually leave bad scars. Cleanse carefully, leaving no dirt in the wound, cause it to bleed, if possible, and apply a sterile gauze compress wet in boracic-acid solution, bandaged on as directed above. Zinc ointment may be applied to surfaces that have been skinned. All dressings on dirty wounds should be changed daily.
Blood poisoning may readily follow a wound, hence the utmost cleanliness should prevail. The hands of the attendant, the dressings, the surrounding skin, must all be clean. The bowels should be kept open, and under-feeding rather than over-feeding is indicated.
If a needle be needed to open a sore or boil, always disinfect the part and surrounding area by painting with tincture of iodine, and heat the needle to red heat through a flame before it touches the sore.
In case of cuts or wounds of the eyeball apply a compress of sterile gauze wet in boracic acid, held on by a bandage, and go immediately to a good eye specialist.
PUNCTURED WOUNDS AND SLIVERS
Wounds made by pins, needles, fishhooks, tacks, and splinters are always very painful and great care must be exercised to force bleeding freely, which helps to wash out infection, as more than likely microbes entered with the instrument or sliver when the wound was made.