 First-aid
 Poet Maulana Jameen would lock the house when he stayed at home but leave the doors open when he went out. People found this very strange. When asked the reason for his behaviour, he replied, "Nothing is more precious than my body. That is why I lock up the house when I'm inside and leave it open when I go out."
What true words! Even if his behaviour were strange, the truth behind his words would make us agree cent per cent. The body and its health are very important to each one of us. To safeguard us from diseases and other problems, we need to administer first-aid at the right time.
In any emergency, the golden hour is very important. This article highlights the general do's and don'ts of first-aid to be followed in the event of accidents and emergencies.
It is essential that all adults, especially women, who are the ones invariably at home with accident-prone children, learn the basics of first-aid. All households, schools and offices must have a first-aid box. This box must contain sterilised cotton, bandage, good quality antiseptic, scissors, plaster, glucose packets and paracetomol pills.
 First-aid to be administered to injuries to different parts of the body are highlighted here:
HEAD: Head injuries as a result of falling from great heights require immediate medical attention. The possibilities are head and spinal injuries. Hence, the victim must be laid down without much movement before being taken to the hospital. Under no circumstances should the victim be made to sit up.
In the event of FITS, make sure no sharp objects are placed in the patient's vicinity. A clean cloth may be placed in the mouth to avoid the tongue being bitten. Giving keys or iron objects does not stop fits. Place the patient on his/her side till the fits subsides and then take him/her for medical aid.
EAR: In case of sudden ear pain at night, self-medication is not advised. Paracetomol may be given for the pain to subside. The doctor may be consulted in the morning. When children put small buttons, hook, etc., into their ear or nostrils, do not try to remove the object yourself. You might end up damaging the external ear. Take the child to an ENT immediately. If an ant or insect gets into the ear, pour a few drops of coconut oil, into the ear. The insect will die and get flushed out automatically. One must never use buds for cleaning. Only the outer ear may be cleaned with the help of a piece of cotton or clean cloth. A few drops of liquid paraffin oil, once in 10 days, will push out any dirt in the ear automatically. Best is to get the ENT to clean it once in a while!
NOSE: In peak summer, children might develop nosebleeds due to heat. If there is only a nosebleed, place ice, wrapped in a towel, on the nose. Keep the patient seated and NOT lying down. Press the nostrils and make him/her breathe through the mouth. In case of mouth and nosebleeds, see an ENT immediately.
When small children swallow coins, etc., press their stomach, locking your arms from behind them. Jerking them this way will throw out the swallowed object. If the child is below one year, slap on the back, with the child held upside down. Otherwise, best, go to a doctor. It is advisable not to buy playthings with small pieces until the child is older and more informed.
TEETH: Sudden toothache may also be treated like earache with paracetomol, till a doctor is seen. In case of a broken or bleeding tooth, stop bleeding with a clean cloth and wash with antiseptic. Take broken teeth in a clean polythene bag. If a dentist is seen within six hours, if conditions allow, the teeth may be re-fixed. Time and cleanliness is very important here. Press clean cotton to stop a bleeding chin, as first-aid.
EYES: When a child gets hurt in the eye accidentally, if there is a swelling, give a hot water massage. Otherwise, a cold water massage. If there is a cut, tape a paper cup carefully over the eye, without applying pressure, and take to the eye doctor.
To be continued
Sangita Sridhar
E-mail: geeth000@yahoo.com
2/2 Ramanathan Street,
T Nagar,
Chennai 600 017.
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