START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MARY FRANCES FIRST AID BOOK*** E-text prepared by Emmy, MWS, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made available by Internet Archive (https://archive.org) Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 54216-h.htm or 54216-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54216/54216-h/54216-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/54216/54216-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/maryfrancesfirst00fryeiala Transcriberâs note: Please be advised that this First Aid book is very old and its advice and practices should not be taken as the best modern, safe choice. THE MARY FRANCES FIRST AID BOOK [Illustration: MARY FRANCES PUTS HER FIRST AID KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE] THE MARY FRANCES FIRST AID BOOK With Ready Reference List of Ordinary Accidents and Illnesses, and Approved Home Remedies by JANE EAYRE FRYER Member American Red Cross Society, Member New Jersey Womenâs Division National Preparedness Association, Author of âThe Mary Frances Story-Instruction Books.â Illustrations by Jane Allen Boyer [Illustration: THE MARY FRANCES STORY INSTRUCTIVE HAND BOOK SERIES] PREPAREDNESS THIS book is for every boy and girl who hopes to render first-aid to the sick or injuredâin time of peaceâin time of warâat all times in the service of OUR COUNTRY PREFACE THIS book is more than a story to inspire children with a desire to relieve suffering; it is a simplified and handy reference book, telling what to do in cases of accident or illness. In no sense is it intended to take the place of the physician. The first principle of first-aid cannot too often be repeatedâ_when in doubt, send for the doctor_. Especial thanks are due to E. A. Y. Schellenger, M.D., member Surgical Staff, Cooper Hospital, Camden, N. J., for his great assistance in verifying and revising the medical and first-aid instructions given herein; and to Constance Cooper Crichton, Instructor of First Aid Classes, New Jersey Womenâs Division National Preparedness, whose helpful criticism and suggestions have been invaluable. [Illustration: Jane Eayre Fryer] MERCHANTVILLE, N. J. CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. OFF TO MEXICO 17 II. THE SPEEDERSâ ACCIDENT 21 III. FIRST AID TO THE INJURED 26 IV. AT THE DOLLSâ HOSPITAL 30 V. THE REAL CROSS NURSES 35 VI. LESSONS IN FIRST AID 39 VII. SAFETY FIRST 43 VIII. PRACTICE GAMES 50 IX. THE HIKERS 53 X. ON LOOKING GLASS LAKE 60 XI. TWO BOYS ARE LATE 67 XII. PLANS 73 XIII. A SANE FOURTH OF JULY 81 XIV. SHESA, A RED CROSS NURSE 88 XV. A TELEGRAM FROM MEXICO 94 XVI. PRIVATE BRAVEâS ADVENTURES 97 XVII. THE MAD DOG 102 XVIII. THE POISONED BABY 105 XIX. HURRAH FOR OUR HERO 108 APPENDIX A READY REFERENCE LIST OF ORDINARY ACCIDENTS AND ILLNESSES, WITH APPROVED HOME REMEDIES 115 INSTRUCTIONS WHAT TO DO UNTIL THE DOCTOR COMES, IN ORDINARY HOUSEHOLD EMERGENCIES (See Ready Reference List) PAGE BILIOUSNESS 117 BITES OF ANIMALS 117 BITES OF INSECTS 117 âBLACK EYEâ 117 BLEEDING OF GUMS 117 BLOOD BLISTERS 118 BROKEN BONES OR FRACTURES 118 BRUISES OR CONTUSIONS 118 BURNS AND SCALDS 119 CAR SICKNESS 120 CHILBLAINS 120 CHILLS 120 CHOKING 120 COAL GAS, SUFFOCATION FROM 120 COLDS 120 COLIC 121 CONVULSIONS OF CHILDREN 122 CORNS 122 CROUP 122 CUTS (SLIGHT) 122 DIARRHEA 123 EARACHE 123 FAINTING 123 FEVER BLISTERS (COLD SORES) 124 FIRE, TO AVOID ACCIDENTS FROM 48 FITS 124 FOREIGN BODY IN EAR 124 FOREIGN BODY IN EYE 125 FROST BITES 125 GUM BOILS (âCANKER SPOTSâ) 125 HEAT EXHAUSTION 125 HEMORRHAGE (SEVERE BLEEDING) 125 HICCOUGH 127 HIVES 127 INDIGESTION 127 ITCHING 127 LICE IN HAIR (PEDICULOSIS) 127 NAILS (INGROWING) 127 NAUSEA (SICK STOMACH) 128 NOSEBLEED 128 PERSPIRATION 128 POISON IVY RASH 128 POISONINGâTREATMENTS AND ANTIDOTES 128 POWDER WOUNDS 130 PRICKLY HEAT 130 PTOMAINE POISONING 130 SEA-SICKNESS 130 SHOCK 131 SORE THROAT 131 SPLINTERS 131 SPRAIN 131 STIFF NECK 131 STINGS 132 STRAIN OF MUSCLES 132 SUNBURN 132 SUNSTROKE 132 TOOTHACHE 132 WARTS 133 WOUNDS 133 PLASTERS, POULTICES AND STUPES 134 HOW TO RID A HOUSE OF FLEAS 56 HOW TO USE FIRST AID BANDAGES 82, 83, 84, 98, 99 HOW TO MAKE A DRINKING CUP 42 LIST OF REMEDIES FOR THE HOME MEDICINE CLOSET 136 [Illustration: CHARACTERS HOSPITAL STAFF DOCTOR SURECURE _Resident Physician_ MISS BOSSEM _Head Nurse_ MISS HELPEM (Mary Frances) _Assistant Nurse_ DOCTOR QUICKENQUACK _Interne Physician_ POLICE OFFICERS OFFICER ARRESTEM _Chief of Police_ OFFICER MCSTOPPEM _Assistant Chief of Police_] [Illustration: PATIENTS HESA BRAVE _Private Braveâs Father_ MRS. BRAVE _Private Braveâs Mother_ IMA BRAVE _Private Brave U. S. Army_ SOAMI BRAVE _Private Braveâs Little Sister_ IBEE BRAVE _Private Braveâs Little Brother_ SHESA BRAVE _Private Braveâs Big Sister_] CHAPTER I OFF TO MEXICO THE Head Nurse, Miss Bossem, rushed out of the Dollsâ Hospital toward the children. âYouâre late, Miss Helpem,â she called to Mary Frances. âGo right on duty rolling bandages for the soldiers who start for Mexico to-day. The troop-train leaves at two-thirty. Hurry, now, or you wonât get them to the station on time.â Then, turning to Billy, âGet the ambulance ready immediately,â she commanded, and Billy disappeared into the garage. * * * * * You see, Mary Frances finished the course in First Aid Nursing with the Red Cross Preparedness Class just before her birthday. Being very proud of her newly acquired knowledge, she wanted to show Billy how much she had learned. When Billy promised her any favor she could think of as a birthday present, Mary Frances joyfully asked him to spend a whole day at the Dollsâ Hospital in the playroom, pretending they were little kiddies againâthat she was Miss Helpem, the assistant nurse, and that Billy was the ambulance driver. To keep his promise, Billy consented. Just as they stepped into the playroom door, they seemed to grow smaller and smaller, until they were no bigger than the dolls themselves. Now, go on with the story and see what happened. * * * * * [Illustration: âALWAYS CARRY THIS WITH YOUâ] Promptly at two-fifteen, Miss Helpem arrived at the station with an ambulance full of bandages, and just in time to see the Brave family bidding good-bye to Private Ima Brave. All the family were there, even Michael, the big bulldog. Private Brave was among the last of the soldiers to board the little train. âYouâll write from New York, dear,â begged his mother, kissing him for the twentieth time, and slipping a little American Red Cross first-aid outfit in his hand. âAlways carry this with you, and remember how your mother loves you.â âAnd youâll send me picture postcards from everywhere, wonât you?â begged little Ibee Brave, standing on tip-toe to get a better view of his tall, straight brother. âThereâs a speck of dust on your uniform,â fussed Soami, his little sister, as she brushed him with her handkerchief. Private Brave smiled. âWeâre not on dress parade, little sister,â he said. âItâs good that khaki doesnât show the dust, for itâs a dusty country weâre going to.â ââItâs a long, long way to Mexico, itâs a long way to go,ââ began little Ibee; but at that moment the engine whistled, and his father clasped Private Braveâs hand. âI am proud of my son,â was all he said. âAnd I, of my brother,â Shesa, his big sister, added, with tears in her eyes. One more whistle, and the little train started down the playroom railroad track. âWeâll bring the limousine nearer the station,â said Mr. Brave, taking Mrs. Braveâs arm and walking away. âFather and Mother donât want anyone to talk with them just now,â said Shesa. âI donât see why. Gee, I wish I was big enough to go,â said little Ibee, as he watched the train until the last car turned a curve in the track. âYouâd make a fine soldier, wouldnât you,â laughed Soami, âwhen youâre afraid to go upstairs in the dark.â âOnly sometimes,â answered Ibee; âonly when the wind blows hard and when itâs not moonlightâand then, not often.â âWhy, Soami, Ibee is real brave,â said Shesa. âDonât you remember how you were afraid to go down cellar to get some jam last night and Ibee would have gone, if father hadnât made you go?â âYes, and father stood on the landing the whole time you were gone, too, Miss,â declared Ibee triumphantly. âYes, thatâs so,â acknowledged Soami. âI guess Ibee would make a good soldierâespecially a drummer boy. My! he can drum bravely! Did you hear him yesterday, Shesa?â [Illustration: âMY! HE CAN DRUM BRAVELY!â] âIndeed I did,â laughed the sister. âYes,â continued Soami, mischievously, âdonât you remember the verses aboutâ âA little man bought him a big bass drum, Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom! âWho knows,â said he, âWhen a war might come? Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom! Iâm not at all frightened you understand, But if I am called to fight for my land, I want to be ready to play in the band. Boom-tid-dee-ah-da-boom!ââ âCome, children,â said their father, driving up, âhereâs the car. Hop in.â CHAPTER II THE SPEEDERSâ ACCIDENT THE shrill sound of a policemanâs whistle cut the air three times, but the dollsmobile sped on faster than ever. âI couldnât catch them at all, at all,â reported the little thin sub-officer, McStoppem, at headquarters. âBring my motorcycle, McStoppem,â ordered Chief Arrestem. âAll right, sir,â nodded Officer McStoppem, bringing out the wonderful little toy. âIf you take the cross-cut road toward Sandpile Village, youâll catch them. The number isâhere it is, I wrote it downâ1492. You can easily remember itâthe year Columbus made âpreparednessâ necessary.â âCut out your chatter, McStoppem, and follow me in a hurry,â directed the chief, as he kicked the pedal of the motorcycle to start the engine. âHand me the paper,â and, snatching it, was off. âThe chiefâll get âem O.K.,â muttered Officer McStoppem to himself, as he watched the long line of dust and smoke in the wake of the little motorcycle. * * * * * Just as Chief Arrestem came into the cross-roads leading to Sandpile Village, the runaway automobile flew past. âBy Jiminy, I donât wonder McStoppem couldnât catch them,â he said under his breath, as he put on still more speed. âThat manâs lost control of his car, and unless Iâm mistaken thereâll be an accident when he comes to that dangerous turn in the road where that big rocking chair stands.â [Illustration: âOH, THE ENGINEâS ON FIRE!â] Meanwhile everybody in the dollsmobile was trying not to be frightened. âCanât you slow down a little, Father?â asked Mrs. Brave. âThe brakes wonât hold,â panted Mr. Brave, forcing both brakes on with all his might. âThis is dreadful!â âGee whiz!â exclaimed little Ibee, looking out the rear window. âHere comes the motor police. Heâll arrest us for speeding.â âOh, mercy, weâre coming to Rocking Hill road,â gasped Shesa. âFather, do turn off the power!â But Shesa spoke too late, and kerr-smash! kerr-bang! kerr-plunk! went the dollsmobile right into the rockers of the rocking chair, turning âturtleâ twice, and breaking the beautiful glass windows to pieces. Out of the broken radiator the boiling hot water poured over poor Mrs. Braveâs arm where she lay just as she was thrown. âOh, the engineâs on fire!â shrieked little Soami, âand Iâm burning to death!â âFather, Father,â called little Ibee, âcome get me out! Iâm fast under the car! Come get me out, please! Oh, Iâll be burned to death! Father, oh, my arm hurts! Oh, I canât move my arm!â The mother managed to get up when she heard the children call. âWhereâs your father? Oh, where is he?â she cried, and going to the other side of the car, she saw poor Mr. Brave lying amidst a heap of broken glass and wheels and gears. From his head ran a little stream of blood. âOh, heâs dead!â she sobbed, but just then he gave a little groan. âOh, my dear husband,â she exclaimed, âtell me youâre not dead! Tell me youâre not dead!â she begged, unmindful of her own arm. âIâm dead, Mother,â groaned little Soami. âI just know Iâm dead with pain.â âWell, Iâm not!â said little Ibee, âand even though my arm hurts so, Iâm going to try to go for help if I can get out from under this car.â [Illustration: UP CAME CHIEF ARRESTEM] âMy, thatâs so!â exclaimed the mother. âI myself forgot to be brave. Iâll go for help.â But just as she spoke, up came Chief Arrestem. âI saw it all, madam,â he said, âand I stopped to telephone to the hospital for the ambulance.â âOh, donât ârest us, please,â begged little Ibee. âPlease, Mr. Officer, donât arrest us. We werenât speeding. Father couldnât make the brakes hold!â âDonât you worry, little chap,â replied Chief Arrestem. âI wonât arrest any of you. Here comes Officer McStoppem on his motorcycle, just as I told him to, and in a minute weâll have you all out from under.â âNever mind about me,â said Ibee. âPlease get poor Soami out. Sheâs dead, I think.â âQuick, McStoppem,â called the chief, âhelp throw sand on this car to put out the fire!â It took about ten seconds for the two officers to put the fire out, and even before that, they heard the honk! honk! of the ambulance. âHere comes the ambulance!â cried Chief Arrestem. âNow, with the driverâs help, weâll soon be able to lift this car.â CHAPTER III FIRST AID TO THE INJURED âNOW, all at once,â directed Chief Arrestem. âOne, two, three!â and the two officers and the two ambulance men lifted the dollsmobile high up over to the other side of the road. âWell, friends,â said Officer Arrestem, âif thereâs nothing more we can do, weâll return to our duty.â âNothing more, thank you,â the head nurse answered. The driver had quickly smothered the flames of little Soamiâs frock by using the automobile robes. âOh, my goodness!â shrieked Mrs. Brave, âwhereâs Shesa? I wonder where my dear daughter is! Where is she? Where can she be?â she kept on asking, crying hysterically. [Illustration: SMOTHERED THE FLAMES OF LITTLE SOAMIâS FROCK] âHush! quiet yourself!â commanded the assistant nurse, who came in the ambulance. âWe found your daughter a few moments ago where she was thrown. She had fainted, but she is all right now.â âOh, sit her up; donât let her lie there!â exclaimed the mother. âIndeed, you must keep quiet,â said the nurse, âor we cannot do anything for anybody. It is better for her to lie down than to sit up.â âIâd keep quiet if I knew what to do! Every woman and man, too, ought to know.â [Illustration: THEY ATTENDED THE MOST DANGEROUSLY INJURED FIRST] âYes,â replied the nurse, âevery person ought to know something about first aid to the injured.â She and the other nurse were busily directing the orderly and driver of the ambulance in every movement, giving them explicit directions. They attended the most dangerously injured first, stopping the bleeding (hemorrhage) of Mr. Braveâs head and bandaging a dressing in place. They applied soothing carron oil to the burns on little Soamiâs arms and legs. They bandaged temporary splints to little Ibeeâs broken arm, and, since Mrs. Braveâs scalds were not serious, they attended her last. Under Mr. Braveâs broken leg they placed pillows to make him more comfortable. âIf Iâd only remembered to turn off the power this never would have happened,â he muttered. âHow foolish of me!â âThere would never be any accidents to speak of,â said the assistant nurse, soothingly, âif everybody did everything right, you know.â âIf everybody just kept his head cool,â said Mr. Brave, as he tried to move his position, but fell back with a groan. âGive him a half-teaspoon of aromatic spirit of ammonia, Miss Helpem,â said Miss Bossem, who was engaged in spreading the stretcher. âNow, everyone ready to lift this patient,â she directed, as she and the driver and orderly knelt on one knee beside Shesa, and Miss Helpem took her position on the opposite side of the stretcher. As the three lifted Shesa, Miss Helpem carefully held the stretcher in place, and afterward helped carry the patient to the ambulance. Next they carried the two children, using a stretcher for little Ibee, and making a two-handed seat for Soami. (A âsedan chair,â you knowâthe kind you play with at school.) âIâm sorry neither doctor could leave the operating room to come, Miss Helpem,â remarked Miss Bossem, to her assistant, who was Mary Frances, you remember. âIf you will wait here with these two patients,â (they were Mrs. and Mr. Brave) âI will return with either Doctor Surecure or Doctor Quickenquack.â âOh, why canât you take my dear husband along?â begged Mrs. Brave. âHeâs awfully hurt! awfully!â âPlease explain to her, Miss Helpem,â said Miss Bossem, getting into the ambulance, âthat it is far better to wait for the doctor to attend a broken leg than to attempt to place it in splintsâunless it is absolutely necessary to move the patient.â Miss Helpem turned to Mrs. Brave, who was by this time quite exhausted, and after explaining the situation, treated her, as she had all the others, forâ SHOCK _Cause:_ A severe injury, or even the sight of one, will often cause intense nervousness, which is very weakening. This is especially true if the patient is suffering from severe bleeding. _Check the bleeding before treating for shock._ Shock differs from fainting. The patientâs face becomes pale and the skin cold, the pupils of the eyes large. _What to do:_ 1. Send for the doctor. 2. Place patient on back with head low to allow plenty of blood to enter head. 3. Give hot water or hot coffee, or one-half teaspoonful aromatic spirit of ammonia in a quarter of a tumbler of water. 4. Hold smelling salts to the nose. 5. Do not excite by trying to remove clothing unless absolutely necessary, but keep patient warm by use of hot-water bottles and blankets, etc. 6. Cover patient. Rub limbs toward body. 7. Do _not_ give whiskey or any other form of alcohol, if any other stimulant can be foundâand _never whiskey_ in case of _hemorrhage_ (severe bleeding). CHAPTER IV AT THE DOLLSâ HOSPITAL IN a short time Mrs. Brave began to feel better, and, by the time the ambulance returned, was able to stir about. âLet us have a look at this broken leg,â said Doctor Quickenquack, examining Mr. Brave. âAhem! I think, Miss Bossem, after all, we would better useâ FIRST-AID TREATMENT FOR BROKEN LEG (_See Reference List_) Place pillows under the leg to make it more comfortable, but do not move the patient before the doctor comes, unless absolutely necessary. If necessary to move, place a board or an umbrella, one on each side of the leg, and tie in place, (or tie both legs together if it seems advisable) using bands of muslin, handkerchiefs, or[A]triangular bandages. âAfter we have Mr. Brave in the hospital, weâll put that leg in the right kind of splints and bandages,â remarked the doctor, as he and the driver and orderly placed him on the stretcher. âYouâll be running a race like a boy in a few weeks,â he continued encouragingly as he seated himself beside the patient in the ambulance, and the nurse helped Mrs. Brave to a place. âLike a tortoise, Iâm thinking,â said Mr. Brave, trying to joke above the pain, for oh, how his broken leg did ache. [Illustration: HIS MOTHER WAS SITTING BESIDE THE BED] Clang! clang! clangâclang! sounded the ambulance gong, and in less than a few minutes they were at the Dollsâ Hospital. * * * * * The next, morning little Ibee came into his fatherâs room, where his mother was sitting beside the bed with her scalded arm nicely dressed and bandaged. âIâm going to be a doctor,â he announced proudly, after bidding his parents good-morning. âThis is a dandy place! There arenât any private rooms for Soami or me, so weâre each in a ward, and thereâs a fellow in the menâs ward all done up in bandages. I just wish you could see him! I got Doctor Quickenquack to tell me what kinds they all were and I canât remember all of them, but I know he said something about triangular and spiral and figure-of-eight bandages. My, that fellow looks fine! He has a broken arm and a broken leg and a dislocated shoulder and a fractured jaw, and his bandages are swell! He did the whole thing by sliding off his barn roof last Sunday when he was putting shingles on it. He says itâs a judgmentâwhatever that is.â âWell, for pityâs sake,â exclaimed his mother, âIbee, how you talk! Do take a breath!â âHello, everybody!â said little Soami, running in. âHowâs father? Shesaâs fine, Miss Helpem told me. No bones broken except one finger. Shesaâs asleep now, and her fingerâs bandaged beautifully!â âFatherâs just about as well as can be expected, dear,â answered their father. âAnd very thankful none of us are hurt worse.â âI donât know,â said Ibee, shaking his head. âEven though my arm aches so, Iâd have liked to have had something worth while; for instance, a compound fracture of the thigh. Fatherâs was only a simple fracture. In a compound fracture the broken bone often comes through the skin, I heard the head nurse say to one of the assistants.â âWell, sir,â said his father, âif you had this, youâd find it was enough!â âWhy, whatâs the matter with the boy? Is he crazy?â exclaimed his mother. âAs though we hadnât all had trouble enough!â âI donât think heâs crazy,â said Soami. âThereâs a girl in our ward who has a broken nose, and it looks too interesting for anything to see the nurse dress it! I want to be a nurse when I grow up! Just think how many people one can help! Why, if it hadnât been for the nurses, perhaps we mightânearly all be dead!â âIndeed we might,â agreed their mother. âI donât know whether youâll be a doctor, Ibee, or whether Soami will be a nurse, but I do know that Iâm going to ask Miss Bossem if a class cannot be formed in our neighborhood in which we can all learn how to render first-aid to the injured.â âGood for you, Mother,â said Shesa, coming in at that moment, and kissing her father. âIâve just been talking with Miss Helpem, and she has explained how to join the Preparedness Movement, so that if we should have war right in our own land, or serious accidents, we could help care for the wounded or injured.â âThat brings my dear Ima to mind. Oh, I do hope weâll get a letter to-day,â said her mother. âHereâs a postcard just received for Master Ibee Brave,â said a nurse, coming along with the mail. [Illustration: âREAD IT OUT LOUD!â] âFrom Ima!â said Ibee. âItâs from New York,â looking at the postmark. âRead it out loud!â cried his mother. âLet us all hear how the dear boy is.â Ibee read: _Dear Folks:_ _New York never looked better to us than as we left for the frontâbut who wouldnât be brave for the sake of the red, white and blue? Will write mother a long letter as soon as time permits._ _As ever, Ima Brave._ âNow, isnât that brave?â exclaimed his mother. âHeâs as brave as Teddy Roosevelt!â âItâs wonderful to belong to such a brave family,â said Miss Helpem, who came in just then to renew the dressing on Mr. Braveâs head. FOOTNOTES: [A] Triangular bandages are described in Chapter XIII. CHAPTER V THE REAL CROSS NURSES âCOME,â she added, âthis excitement will never do for Mr. Brave. Everybody leave the room, and everybody go to bed and take a nap.â âI donât want to,â began Ibee. âI wantââ but at that moment, Miss Bossem, who was passing, came into the room. âWhy, what does this mean?â she asked crisply, gazing around. âHow does it happen, Miss Helpem, that all these people are in the invalidâs room? Everyone who comes in must have permission.â âWell, I am surprised!â exclaimed Mrs. Brave. âAs though Iâd have to ask permission!â âWell,â replied Miss Bossem, in a very decided manner, âeverybody who stays in this hospital must obey the rules. Miss Helpem, will you kindly see that the children are put to bed, and I will take Mrs. Brave to her room.â âIâm no child,â began Mrs. Brave, âIâm an older woman than you, and Iâve hadâââ âDo you intend to risk your husbandâs life any further?â asked Miss Bossem, lifting her eyebrows and speaking in a low, icy tone. âPoor wifeââ began Mr. Brave. âSee!â said Miss Bossem. âHeâs already too excited to rest tonight without some medicine.â âOh, dear,â whispered Mrs. Brave, âIâm so sorry!â Then aloud: âMiss Nurse, Iâm real tired. I think I need a nap. Good-bye, dear, Iâm going to my roomâyou take a nap, too.â âWell,â said Miss Bossem to Miss Helpem, âI did succeed in making Mrs. Brave see how dangerous it was to excite the patient, but my, I donât like to be so cross!â [Illustration: âWHY, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?â] âI just had to be firm with the children, too,â replied the assistant nurse. âBut Shesaâs a dear, and has extraordinary good sense. She is going to form a class in Red Cross first-aid work.â âYes, and weâll give the instructions,â said Miss Bossem; âthat is, if you are willing.â âOf course,â answered Miss Helpem, âbut what I meant to tell you is that Miss Shesa is going to form a class for children.â âWhat a lovely idea!â exclaimed Miss Bossem, passing on into the clinic. * * * * * âDoctor, Iâm getting quite tired of being here,â complained little Ibee to Doctor Surecure, when he met him in the corridor one day about three weeks later. âOf course itâs dandy to see so many banged-up people, but Iâm nearly well. My arm aches only on rainy days, and I can wiggle my fingers fine.â [Illustration: âCANâT I GO, TOO, DOCTOR?â] âGood,â smiled the doctor. âIâm thinking myself that weâll be parting with some of the Brave family soon. Your mother and sisters are to leave us Saturday.â âCanât I go, too, Doctor? Canât I?â begged the little boy. âWhy, thatâs a pretty way to talk,â replied the doctor. âDonât you like us?â âOh, sure,â said Ibee, âbut the fellows miss me a lot, you know.â âWhy, what will your poor father do without any of you?â teased Doctor Quickenquack, who happened to be passing. âOh, Iâll come see him every day,â said Ibee. âHeâll love to hear all about home. Canât I go?â âWeâll think it over,â said Doctor Quickenquack. âAnd if we do decide to let you go,â added Doctor Surecure, âyou must promise not to try to take off your bandage.â âOh, I promise,â said Ibee. âDoctor Quickenquack said that if I let my arm be in it long enough, Iâd be able to play baseball again: and besides, I want to show it to the fellows.â âBut youâll not pitch ball for some time to come, young man,â laughed the doctor. So Mrs. Brave and the children were soon in their own home, leaving poor Mr. Brave in the hospital. By the time Mr. Brave was able to return, walking with a crutch, they had formed three first-aid classes. Mrs. Braveâs was for grown-up ladies, and of this Shesa was a member. Shesa herself, with Soami and Ibeeâs help, had formed two others; one for Boy Scouts, and one for Camp Fire Girls. CHAPTER VI LESSONS IN FIRST AID âMISS HELPEM,â said the head nurse to her assistant, âhow would it be for you to take charge of Miss Braveâs childrenâs classes, with her help, of course? If you think well of that arrangement, I will take the adult class, and leave the childrenâs instructions to you.â âNothing could please me better, Miss Bossem,â answered Mary Frances (I mean, Miss Helpem). âI dearly love dollsâoh, I meant to say, children.â Miss Bossem laughed. âPerhaps youâll grow up some day,â she teased. * * * * * âHow would you like to assist me with the childrenâs lessons?â [Illustration: MISS HELPEM WAS TALKING WITH SHESA BRAVE] Miss Helpem was talking with Shesa Brave. âOh, do you really think I would be able to do that?â asked Shesa, delighted. âYes,â answered the nurse, âMiss Bossem and I feel quite certain you can be a great help in showing the boys and girls what you learn in the womenâs class.â âI never felt so proud in my life!â declared the young girl, hugging her first-aid kit close in her arms. * * * * * So it came about that when Mary Francesâ dolls gathered together for their lessons, it was Mary Frances herself dressed in the spotless white uniform, with the red cross on the arm and cap, of the American Red Cross Society, who gave theirâ FIRST LESSON IN FIRST AID TO THE INJURED âGood morning, children,â she began. âWe 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.â âPlease, Miss Helpem, canât I be the soldier?â begged Ibee Brave. âAnd canât I pretend to drive the field ambulance?â asked little Jack. âAnd canât I be run over?â asked another boy. [Illustration: âPLEASE, MISS HELPEM, CANâT I BE THE SOLDIER?â] âMercy, children,â exclaimed the nurse, âplease wait for an explanationâand in the next lesson, Iâll 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_ childrenâs 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. * * * * * âChildren,â beamed Miss Helpem as they finished writing the list, âI never dreamed you could be so interested. Why, not one of you has been inattentive! Now, as a reward, I shall show you howâ TO MAKE A SANITARY DRINKING CUP FROM ANY PIECE OF CLEAN PAPER [Illustration: TO MAKE A SANITARY DRINKING CUP FROM ANY PIECE OF PAPER] FOOTNOTES: [B] The full list of remedies, with explanatory notes, is given in the Ready Reference List at the end of this book. CHAPTER VII SAFETY FIRST âWE girls get our second lesson before you boys do!â declared little Soami to her brother Ibee at the lunch table the next day. âI bet you donât have as much fun as we do!â answered Ibee. âWhat is the next lesson about?â asked their father. âItâs about Safety First,â replied Ibee. âI know that.â âYes,â agreed Soami, âbut,â glancing at the clock, âIâll be late to class if I donât hurry. Mother, will you excuse me?â Her mother nodded and smiled, and Soami left hastily. * * * * * âWell, girls,â began Miss Helpem, âto-day we have a more serious time, for weâre going to learn, in Lesson II, What to Do in Case of Slight Cuts and Pin Pricks; Slight Burns and Scalds; Frost Bites. âNow, as you know, almost every accident could be avoided if we thought ahead far enough; if we did not let the knife or needle slip; if we did not allow little children to carry scalding hot water or lighted lamps, or to play with matches; if we looked up and down the street before crossing. Yes, almost all accidents are avoidable if we think far enough aheadâif we think âSafety First.ââ Miss Helpem paused. âAll ordinary everyday accidents,â she went on, âif treated rightly, will give but slight trouble; but if not treated rightly may bring much suffering to the victim, and even cause âblood poisoningâ and death. [Illustration: âWELL, GIRLS, TO-DAY WE HAVE A MORE SERIOUS TIMEâ] âSo you see how necessary it is to understand âWhat to Do.â âNow, these serious dangers do not come from the slight accidents themselves, but because of uncleanliness.â Again the assistant nurse paused, and she could not help smiling at the look of astonishment on the faces of her girl dolls. âIt is true, girls,â she continued; âcleanliness is the rarest thing in the world, and I will tell you why: because everywhere about us, in the dust, in the air, on our clothing, on our hands, in standing water, on the floor, on the groundâeverywhere, even though we cannot see them, are GERMS These little living particles are too small to be seen without a microscope, but they cause more disease and deaths than any of the big animals you are afraid ofâlike lions or bears or tigers. They make great deep sores out of little cuts, and prevent wounds from healing. So you can readily understand how necessary it is to keep all materials which touch _broken_ skin _perfectly clean_, and they cannot be clean if touched by the hands. Neither is any material clean which has come in contact with dust. Understanding this, your aim will be to keep germs out of any wound. If you do not have a first-aid outfit, you should have on hand a small package of sterile gauze.[C] Sterile means perfectly free from germs. Any cloth which has been washed and ironed is quite safe, however, if it has not been used. You see, heat kills germs. Use next to the wound the surface which has been folded inside. Do not think that every germ does evil, for some germs are goodâjust as some people are bad and some are good. Indeed, we depend for some kinds of food upon the action of certain good germs. Among such foods are cheese and vinegar. The disease germs which we dread most in cases of wounds are the germs of blood-poisoning and lockjaw (or tetanus). They are everywhere about us, in standing water, air, dust. They cannot do a bit of harm to the outside of the body, if the skin is unbrokenâno more than a fly can do to the armor of some old knight. But if they can enter where the skin is broken, they begin to do all kinds of harm, which sometimes results in months of suffering from âinfectedâ wounds, and sometimes finally causes the patient to lose a leg or an armâor perhaps to die. âWe have spent a great deal of time on the subject of _germs_, children,â continued Miss Helpem, âbecause unless you really understand how necessary cleanliness is, you may not be particular to have clean materials.â âAnd clean hands,â suggested Soami. âYes,â smiled the nurse, âSoami has noticed the nurses at the hospital washing their hands for five minutes in order to have them truly clean before attending to a dressing on a patient.â The little girl looked around proudly upon the class. âCanât we begin the first-aid games now?â asked one of the group. [Illustration: âAND CLEAN HANDS,â SUGGESTED SOAMI] âNot yet,â the nurse shook her head. âWait, please, until you have learned what to do forâ SLIGHT CUTS AND PIN PRICKS The bleeding from a slight cut is never very severe and will generally stop of itself in a short time. It is best to let a slight cut bleed a little, as the bleeding carries away the germs which may have been on the edge of the knife or whatever caused the wound. _Treatment:_ Touch slight cute with tincture of iodine;[D] or with alcohol; or vinegar and water, half and half; or salt and water, a half teaspoonful of salt to a cup of water. Wrap with clean gauze. In cases of severe hemorrhage (bleeding) send immediately for a doctor. Stop bleeding by using pressure above or below wound, or by bandaging a gauze compress on the wound. Never give whiskey or alcohol in any form. It makes hemorrhages worse. See Reference List. BURNS AND SCALDS (_See Reference List_) Apply carron oil. See List of Medicines. If carron oil is not at hand, use any dressing[E] to cover surface to keep out the airâas lard, butter, olive oilâor sprinkle with baking soda, or cover with white of egg, or with a paste made of starch or flour and water. Also spread on compress[E] some of the same remedy that has been applied to the burn. Hold compress in place with a loose bandage. Solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) made by dissolving as much soda as possible in hot water (about one teaspoonful to a cup) is particularly relieving to scalds. Dip cloths into this and apply to the burned surface. Never remove skin from blisters. If blisters are large, see the doctor. HOW TO PUT OUT FLAMES _Caution._âIf your clothing catches fire, _do not run! Roll_ (in a rug, if possible) _on the floor or ground!_ In putting out fire on another personâs clothing, use rugs or blankets. In throwing a rug on another person, be careful not to allow your own clothing to catch fire. Let the sufferer lie down and roll. Stand in _back_ of the rug, and throw from the head downward. If in a burning building, _creep_ to the door on hands and knees to avoid the smoke. TO AVOID ACCIDENTS FROM FIRE 1. Children should not make bonfires without the aid of older persons. 2. Matches should be kept out of reach of small children. 3. Children should be taught to be careful of open fireplaces. 4. Children should be taught to _roll_ if their clothing catches fire. This would save scores of lives in a year. Safety First. Look ahead! See the danger before the accident! FROST BITES When nose, ears, hands or feet are exposed to intense cold they often become frost-bitten, turning purple at first. If frozen thoroughly, they turn waxy white; then no pain is felt, because the nerves are frozen. _Treatment:_ 1. Keep patient in cold room. 2. Do not warm frozen parts quickly. Instead, rub with snow or bathe with ice water until a tingling pain is felt; then stop. If frozen parts are warmed too quickly, âgangreneâ may result, or perhaps the sudden heat may causeâ CHILBLAINS Chilblains are the result of too rapid warming of cold parts, generally feet or fingers. Sometimes for years after being frost-bitten, exposure to severe cold will produce itching and burning, and perhaps swelling and ulcers. _Treatment:_ Rub with turpentine or alcohol. The rubbing in itself is excellent. See doctor. FOOTNOTES: [C] Sterile gauze is cheesecloth which has been so treated that it is free of germs and is very absorbent. It is sold at all drug stores. It should be kept closely wrapped, and the surface should never be touched with the hands before it is placed on a wound. If you do not have sterile gauze, keep old linen or cotton cloth (which has been _well washed and ironed_) in glass jars, which have been boiled and dried in the air without wiping. [D] Soldiers on active service carry iodine to be applied to wounds immediately, if possibleâto kill germs. Iodine is a poison if swallowed, so be careful not to leave it within the reach of _small_ children. [E] _Important Note._â_Dressings_ are everything applied to a wounded or sore surface. A _compress_ is the dressing which is placed directly upon the wound. It is usually made of _clean new_ gauze. A _bandage_ is the dressing which holds the compress (or other dressings) in place. Compresses are used toâ 1. Hold medication in place. 2. Protect sore place. 3. Stop bleeding. CHAPTER VIII PRACTICE GAMES âTHAT is all the lecture part of to-dayâs lesson,â smiled Miss Helpem. âNow, for the practice.â She made a gesture toward Shesa Brave, who came forward, and together they lifted before the class the tiny medicine cabinet which Mary Francesâ Aunt Maria had given her for her Dollsâ Hospital. âLet me see,â said Miss Helpem. âYes, we have everything here, I believe. Girls, you may all come look.â The dollsâI mean, girlsâgathered around the little glass closet and compared the labeled bottles and packages with the list given them in the previous lesson. They were delighted with the beautiful cleanliness of the closetâits bright glass door and white shelves and shining enamel frame. âNow,â continued Miss Helpem, âplease divide into groups of two. That will make five groups. We will play that one girl in each group is the mother, and the other her child. The child has cut her hand while slicing bread. Mothers, what will you do? What will be your first-aid treatment?â Mary FrancesâI mean, Miss Helpemâwas delighted with the girlsâ answers and with the way in which they sought out the iodine bottle, and wrapped the supposed injury with narrow gauze. [Illustration: WRAPPED THE SUPPOSED INJURY WITH NARROW GAUZE] âIn the next practice game, the âchildâ acts as mother and âmotherâ as âchild,ââ said the assistant nurse. âThis time the âchildâsâ clothing has caught fire from a spark which snapped out of the fireplace.â The girls laughed. The nurse smiled. âGirls,â she said, âthese games may make you feel like laughing, but please keep in mind how serious the real accident would be, and try to learn what to do. You will be so much better able to live useful lives.â You see, Mary Frances didnât quite remember that they were only dolls. Even so, they have served a very useful purpose if they only teach the readers of this book some of their lessons. âReady, now, for practice,â said the nurse. âGirl No. 2 of each group is to act as a little daughter whose frock has caught fire.â The girls remembered not to run, and âpretendedâ to smother out the flames. âThat was so well done,â said Miss Helpem, âthat no one was severely burned, so weâll merely have to treat for slight burns.â The âmotherâ girl from each group went to Shesa Brave for carron oil, which she applied on gauze compresses to imaginary hurt fingers. Then they reversed parts again, and played the âchildâ had frosted her fingers. The âmotherâ girls rubbed the fingers with imaginary snow, gradually restoring the circulation of the blood in the âfrozenâ parts. Throughout all their fun the girls acted in a serious, purposeful manner. âIâm not so certain that boys would âplay in earnest,ââ said Miss Helpem to Shesa. âI think they would,â replied the young girl. âIâm certain Ibee is just as interested as Soami,â which pleased the assistant nurse more than I can tell you. CHAPTER IX THE HIKERS THE assistant nurse had very little time for the next lesson in the boysâ class, so she gave them only notes in the morning, promising the practice games at four oâclock in the afternoon. After telling them of this plan, she began the lesson. âProbably you boys have never thought of the fact that the little pipes and larger tubes which carry the blood may be broken _under_ the skin,â Miss Helpem said. âWhen the blood gathers in dark purplish spots underneath the unbroken skin, you have what is called a bruise or contusion. BRUISES (CONTUSIONS) (_See Reference List_) âBlack and blueâ spots which result from bleeding under the skin are caused by falls or blows, or pinching (as in door or window). _Treatment:_ Apply cold water or ice wrapped in a cloth, or an ice bag, or bathe with half water and half alcohol, or witch hazel, or arnica. If an arm or finger, hold up over the head. If severe, after the pain and swelling have lessened, use hot applications, wringing cloths out of hot water, changing them as they cool, or use a hot-water bag. For âblack eye,â bathe with ice-cold water, or use cloths wrung out of water as hot as can be borne. Massage gently for discoloration. NOTE.âNever open a blood blisterâapply hot water. SPRAINS (_See Reference List_) should be treated as soon as possible by a physician, but while waiting for the doctor, use _cold_ water applications. If cold water does not relieve the pain in an hourâs time, try hot water. Do not attempt to use the sprained joint. STINGS AND BITES OF INSECTS (_See Reference List_) For stings of bees and bites of spiders, apply any of the following list: Mud. Slice of onion. Household ammonia. Paste made of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda). Spirit of camphor. Miss Helpem paused. âWhile we are thinking about insects,â she said, âI wish to speak ofâ THE FILTHY FLIES If you could look at the bottom of a flyâs foot under the microscope, you would see thousands of the most disgusting germs, particularly of the dreaded typhoid fever. Please remember that it is far more important to prevent disease than to cureâso do all that you can to keep flies out of the house, out of food, off the babyâs bottle and body. Just looking at this picture shows you a little of what must go into babyâs mouth after the fly has stolen a bit of babyâs breakfast. How many of you promise to do everything you can to reduce the number of flies in this beautiful country of oursâby destroying them and by removing their breeding places, which are in _manure_ piles?â Every boyâs hand shot up. âThank you,â smiled the assistant nurse. âI can see that the boys of this class are to be real soldiers of health for this entire community.â [Illustration: KEEP FLIES OUT OF FOOD. OFF THE BABYâS BOTTLE] âPlease, Miss Helpem,â said Ibee Brave, âthere are two more animals I would like to learn something about. One is the mosquito, and the other is fleas.â The boys laughed. âNot animals, Ibee; insects,â corrected Miss Helpem. âWe will not have time to speak at length of the mosquito, for that would make a whole lesson in itself, but I do want to say that mosquitoes are the cause of some of our worst diseases, for they carry disease germs from one personâs blood into anotherâs. To destroy them, kerosene oil should be sprayed or sprinkled or poured on the surface of any stagnant water; for mosquito babies (wigglers) live in stagnant (standing) water. Please remember this: one old tin tomato can half full of water will be an ample amount to supply a whole neighborhood with young mosquitoes in a short time, so overturn any old tins you see, just to help in a good cause.â âNow, Ibee,â she continued, after a slight pause, âI will tell you HOW TO RID A HOUSE OF FLEAS Dust naphtha flakes[F] all over the floors. Leave twenty-four hours, if possible, then sweep up and sprinkle the sweepings with kerosene to destroy the eggs before throwing away. âI say, fellows,â sang out Ibee Brave, after the class was dismissed, âletâs go on a hike like any good scouts. Gee, I wish I were twelve years old, so I could be a boy scout!â âWe treat you just as if you were one. Letâs go over to the river bank,â suggested their patrol leader. At the signal, off they started over the hills of the sand-pile of Mary Francesâ playroom, coming at length to Painted River and Looking Glass Lake, on which floated the toy ducks and swans which Mary Francesâ little friend Eleanor had given her for a Christmas present. When they re-assembled at four oâclock, the assistant nurse was surprised at their appearance, for several swollen faces were plastered in blotches of mud. [Illustration: âYOU MUST HAVE HAD GOOD TREATMENTâ] âWe donât need any practice games,â commented one of the boys. âWe have had real practical practice,â explained their leader. âI should judge you had,â said Miss Helpem, looking over the group. âDo tell me what happened.â âWhen we left here, we started on a hike to
{'title': 'The Mary Frances First Aid Book by Jane Eayre Fryer', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}