If a surgeon is at hand he would probably cut out the injured portion, or cauterize it thoroughly.  Professional aid is not always at our command, and in such a case it would be well to take a poker, or other suitable piece of iron, heat it red hot in the fire, wipe off and destroy the entire surface of the wound.  As fast as destroyed, the tissue becomes white.  An iron, even at a white heat, gives less pain and at once destroys the vitality of the part with which it comes in contact.

If the wound is at once well wiped out, and a stick of solid nitrate of silver (lunar caustic) rapidly applied to the entire surface of the wound, little danger is to be apprehended.  Poultices and warm fomentations should be applied to the injury to hasten the sloughing away of the part whose vitality has been intentionally destroyed.

Any dog, after having bitten a person, is apt, under a mistaken belief, to be at once killed.  This should not be done.  There is no more danger from a dog-bite, unless the dog is suffering from the disease called rabies or is “mad,” than from any other lacerated wound.  The suspected animal should be at once placed in confinement and watched, under proper safeguards, for the appearance of any symptoms that indicate rabies.

Should no pronounced symptoms indicate this disease in the dog, a great deal of unnecessary mental distress and worry can be saved both on the part of the person bitten and his friends.

363.  Injuries to the Blood-vessels.  It is very important to know the difference between the bleeding from an artery and that from a vein.

If an artery bleeds, the blood leaps in spurts, and is of a bright scarlet color.

If a vein bleeds, the blood flows in a steady stream, and is of a dark purple color.

If the capillaries are injured the blood merely oozes.

Bleeding from an artery is a dangerous matter in proportion to the size of the vessel, and life itself may be speedily lost.  Hemorrhage from a vein or from the capillaries is rarely troublesome, and is ordinarily easily checked, aided, if need be, by hot water, deep pressure, the application of some form of iron styptic, or even powdered alum.  When an artery is bleeding, always remember to make deep pressure between the wound and the heart.  In all such cases send at once for the doctor.

[Illustration:  Fig. 157.—­Showing how Digital Compression should be applied to the Femoral Artery.]

Do not be afraid to act at once.  A resolute grip in the right place with firm fingers will do well enough, until a twisted handkerchief, stout cord, shoestring, suspender, or an improvised tourniquet[53] is ready to take its place.  If the flow of blood does not stop, change the pressure until the right spot is found.

Sometimes it will do to seize a handful of dry earth and crowd it down into the bleeding wound, with a firm pressure.  Strips of an old handkerchief, underclothing, or cotton wadding may also be used as a compress, provided pressure is not neglected.