stration: Fig. 19

_First Aid Packet_

Shake out packet with right hand so that the pad (or compress) does
not touch anything until placed on the wound.]

CAUTION. Have the wound ready before you open the packet. Do not touch
the gauze pad with ANYTHING. Do not breathe on it, and be especially
careful not to cough or sneeze over it. These things put germs on it
which will grow in the wound.

By observing these instructions you may save a man's life. By not
observing them, you may cause his death, or cause him much pain and
suffering.

The life of a wounded man is often in the hands of the first one who
attends him.

It is said that since the adoption of the first aid packet by armies,
it has done more than everything else to save the lives of those
wounded in battle by preventing the infection of wounds.

In an emergency a pad from any kind of cloth may be boiled for ten
minutes to kill the germs, the water drained off to allow it to cool,
and then placed on the wound. Or, the pad may be held over a clear
fire until it is fairly scorched; then let it cool. A little charring
of the surface will do no harm. Any kind of bandage may then be used
to hold it in place.

When a bullet strikes a man first, the wound is clean cut and germ
free and it will heal rapidly. If, however, it strikes something
first, and bounces off (ricochets) and then strikes a man, it will be
knocked into an irregular shape and, therefore, cause a ragged wound
with much bruising. What is more important, such a bullet will carry
germs into the wound from the object struck, and almost surely some
shreds of clothing.

When a wound is infected it is extremely difficult to kill the germs
(disinfect). Such a wound, before applying the first aid dressing
should be painted with a tincture of iodine, or alcohol or be well
washed with boiled salt water.

=1522.= The illustrations below show improvised litters.

[Illustration: Fig. 20

_Litter made of one-half shelter tent, three shelter tent pins and one
tent or other pole_

_Litter made of two poles, two coats and one belt. The coats are
buttoned and the sleeves turned inside out, the poles being run
through the sleeves. The belt is used as a head rest_

_The coat litter in use_]

PART VI

MILITARY COURTESY AND KINDRED SUBJECTS

CHAPTER I

MILITARY DEPORTMENT AND APPEARANCE--PERSONAL CLEANLINESS--FORMS OF
SPEECH--DELIVERY OF MESSAGES, ETC.

=1523. Military Deportment a