ly.
But if you have made sure first that there is no large vein or artery
cut, you need not be troubled for fear there will be serious bleeding
before the doctor arrives.

[Illustration: Tourniquet

Showing where stone for pressing against artery is placed

Loop through which stick for tightening is inserted]

_Bleeding from an Artery_: If an artery is cut the blood spurts out, the
size of the stream depending on the size of the artery cut. This is the
most serious bleeding because the heart is directly behind, pumping the
blood through the artery with all its power. If it is a small artery the
pressure with the finger between the cut and the heart for a few minutes
will give the blood time to clot behind the finger and form a plug. This
will stop the bleeding aided by pressure of the bandage. If it is a
larger vessel the force in the heart muscle pumping the blood will force
out any plug formed by the finger there, as the finger tires too easily.

_Tourniquet_: In this case it will be necessary to put on a tourniquet
to take the place of the finger until a clot can form in the vessel big
enough and strong enough to prevent the force of the blood current from
pushing it out. This of course can be used only on the legs or arms.

A tourniquet is something put on to make pressure on a blood vessel to
stop serious bleeding. There are five points to remember about a
tourniquet:

1. It must be long enough to tie around the limb--a big handkerchief,
towel or wide bandage.

2. There must be a pad to make the pressure over the artery greater than
on the rest of the limb--a smooth stone, a darning ball, a large cork,
cloth folded into a large pad or a rolled bandage.

3. The pad must be so placed that the artery lies between pad and the
bone on the limb, in order that the pressure may stop the flow of blood
by forcing the walls of the artery together between the pad and the
bone.

4. Unless the tourniquet is put on tight enough, its application
increases bleeding. It is extremely rare to find a tourniquet put on
tight enough. In almost every such case removing the tourniquet will
stop or partly lessen bleeding. A short stick or handle is needed, about
a foot long, with which to twist the tourniquet sufficiently to stop
the flow of blood. Usually it cannot be twisted tightly enough by hand
alone. Tie the twisted part firmly so it will not slip, after it has
been made tight enough to stop bleeding.

5. Remember, a tou