h can cause the blood
poisoning get into the wound.

(a) by the object that makes the wound

(b) from the clothing of the patient through which the wound is made

(c) from the rescuer's hands

(d) from the water which has not been sterilized used in washing the
wound

(e) from dirty dressings, that is, dirty in the sense that they have on
them germs which can get into the wound and cause infection or blood
poisoning.

The first two of these chances the Girl Scout will not be able to
control. The last three she can to some extent prevent. _Do not wash,
touch or put anything into a serious wound_ unless a doctor cannot be
found. Only this sort of thing justifies running risk of infection.
Otherwise just put on a sterile dressing and bandage. In reality washing
wounds only satisfies the aesthetic sense of the operator without real
benefit to the patient in many cases. If a wound has to be cleansed
before the doctor comes use boiled water; if this cannot be had at once,
use water and alcohol half and half.

1. Always wash your hands thoroughly with water, soap and a nail brush,
unless there is necessity for immediate help to stop bleeding which
admits of no time to clean one's hands. Be sure your nails are clean.

2. Try not to touch the wound with your hands unless it is absolutely
necessary.

3. Many wounds do not have to be washed, but dressing may be applied
directly.

4. Having cleansed the wound as best you can, or all that is necessary,
apply sterile cloth for dressing. This may be gotten at a drug store in
a sterile package ready for use immediately, and is very satisfactory.
If, however, these cannot be had, remember any cloth like a folded
handkerchief that has been recently washed and _ironed_ is practically
sterile, especially if you unfold it carefully and apply the inside
which you have not touched, to the wound. Bind the dressing on with a
bandage to keep in place until the doctor arrives.

(b) _Serious Bleeding_:

It is important that you should learn what is serious bleeding and this
will often help you to be cool under trying circumstances.

As you learned in your work in minor emergencies, the bleeding from the
small veins and capillaries is not usually sufficient to be dangerous,
and the pressure of the dressing when put on and bandaged in place will
soon stop it. It may sometimes be necessary to put more dressing outside
of that already on (called re-inforcing it) and bandage again snug