The
pledget of lint, however, must not be removed for some hours
afterwards, or the bleeding will break out afresh.
3. If the compression fails in stopping the bleeding, or from the
situation of the leech-bites it cannot be adopted, because there is no
firm point of resistance upon which to make pressure, the part may be
dusted with starch or gum arabic powder, or, if this is of no avail,
the wound may be touched with lunar caustic.
If none of these measures are successful, the assistance of the
medical attendant must be obtained; and if firm pressure be made upon
the part, no serious loss of blood can ensue before his arrival.
Leeches should never be resorted to by a parent for any of the
diseases of infancy, without medical direction.
Sect. V.--BLISTERS AND POULTICES.
A blister should never be applied for any infantile disease, except
when ordered by a medical man, as its injudicious use might greatly
aggravate the complaint.
There are also one or two precautions in reference to the mode of the
application of a blister, which it is always right for a parent to
attend to. From the great irritability of the skin, it should never be
allowed to remain on longer than from two to four hours. At the
expiration of this time, the surface will usually become red and
inflamed; and, if the blister is removed, and the part dressed with
fresh spermaceti ointment spread on lint, or with a soft bread and
water poultice, a full blister will soon be raised: the little patient
is thus saved much suffering, and a very troublesome sore prevented.
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