Common Symptoms & Cures

There are certain things that every Healer will encounter at a certain point of time on Gor. These are fairly common and often left untreated simply because O/one does not know how to treat them. Each healer has his/her own style of healing. Some of U/us abide more by the books, others use the Earth knowledge to aid them through certain procedures. Regardless of how you do your job, these are a must. Even though they are simply suggestion, they should be taken very seriously.

Time Line for the Healing of Wounds

1. Small wounds: a few hours
2. Medium sized wounds: 1-2 days, no fighting. If the area is stomach, lower back or legs, no furring.
3. Large, gaping wounds: 3-5 days, no furring or fighting AT ALL.

Bleeding (Alternative names: blood loss; open injury bleeding)
Definition: To lose blood from the blood vessels. This can occur internally, externally through a natural opening (such as the vagina), or externally through a break in the skin.

Considerations:

1. Direct pressure will stop most external bleeding.

2. Bruises usually result from a blow or a fall. They are dark, discolored areas on the skin. Apply a cool compress to the area as soon as possible to reduce swelling. Do not put ice directly on the skin.

3. The amount of blood is not a good way to judge the severity of an injury. Serious injuries don't always bleed heavily, and some relatively minor injuries (for example, scalp wounds) bleed profusely.

4. Always wash your hands before (if possible) and after giving first aid to avoid the risk of infection and transmission of disease. If possible, use surgical gloves before giving first aid.

5. Puncture wounds, which usually don't bleed very much, are dangerous because of the risk of infection. Seek medical care to prevent tetanus or other infection.

6. Abdominal wounds can be very serious because of the possibility of severe internal bleeding which may not be obvious externally, but which may result in shock. Seek medical care immediately if internal bleeding is suspected. If organs have been displaced by the wound, do not try to reposition them; cover the injury with a dressing, and do not apply more than very gentle pressure to stop the bleeding. Causes: Damage to blood vessel causes bleeding, which can range from minor to life threatening

7. DO NOT (for those with no Healing Background, or who are in training)
DO NOT APPLY A TOURNIQUET TO CONTROL BLEEDING, EXCEPT AS A LAST RESORT; DOING SO MAY CAUSE MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
DO NOT probe a wound or pull out any embedded object from a wound. This will usually cause more bleeding and harm.
DO NOT try to clean a large wound. This can cause heavier bleeding.
DO NOT remove a dressing if it becomes soaked with blood. Instead, add a new one on top.
DO NOT peek at a wound to see if the bleeding is stopping. The less a wound is disturbed, the more likely it is that you'll be able to control the bleeding.
DO NOT try to clean a wound after you get bleeding under control.

Get medical help.


First Aid for E/everyone

First aid is appropriate for external bleeding. If bleeding is severe, or if shock or internal bleeding is suspected, get emergency help immediately!

1. Calm and reassure the victim. The sight of blood can be very frightening.

2. Lay the victim down. This will reduce the chances of fainting by increasing the blood flow to the brain.

3. Remove any obvious loose debris or dirt from a wound. However, do not remove any objects impaled in the victim.

4. Put pressure directly on an external wound with a sterile bandage, clean cloth, or even a piece of clothing. If nothing else is available, use your hand.

5. Direct pressure is usually best for external bleeding, except for an eye injury, on a wound that contains an embedded object, or on a head injury if there is a possibility of a fractured skull.

6. If the wound is superficial, wash it with soap and warm water and pat dry. However, don't wash a wound that is deep or bleeding profusely. When the bleeding has subsided, even if the wound is still oozing, place a clean dressing over the wound. Bandage the dressing firmly (dressings should be large enough to extend at least 1 inch beyond the edges of the wound), but not so tightly that the victim's skin beyond the wound becomes pale and cool, which indicates that the circulation is cut off.

7. Maintain pressure until the bleeding stops. When it does, bind the wound dressing tightly.

8. If bleeding continues and seeps through the material being held on the wound, do not remove it. Simply place another cloth over the first one.

9. If the bleeding doesn't stop after 15 minutes of direct pressure or if the wound is too extensive to cover effectively, use pressure-point bleeding control. For example, in the case of a wound on the hand or lower arm, for example, squeeze the main artery in the upper arm against the bone. Keep your fingers flat; with the other hand, continue to exert pressure on the wound itself.

10. If the bleeding is severe, get medical help and take steps to prevent shock. Immobilize the injured body part. Lay the victim flat, raise the feet about 12 inches, and cover the victim. However, do not place the victim in this position if there has been a head, neck, back, or leg injury or if the position makes the victim uncomfortable. Get medical help as soon as possible.

Cauterization

Definition: Cauterization is the process of destroying tissue by using heat. It is frequently used to stop bleeding. It is also effectively used to reduce or stop hemorrhaging by "burning" the bleeding blood vessels (seals them off). Various types, shapes, and sizes of tips (probes) are available for specific treatments. The tip is applied to the skin near the surgery site. *Note - Whether or not Y/you choose to use this method is completely up to Y/you. It's been in discussion for a very long time and some consider it to be very unpractical.

Burns (Alternative names: first degree burn; second degree burn; third degree burn)

Definition:

· FIRST DEGREE burns affect the outer layer of the skin, causing pain, redness, and swelling.

· SECOND DEGREE burns are more serious. They are deeper than first degree burns, look red or mottled and have blisters. They may also involve loss of fluids through the damaged skin. Second degree burns are usually the most painful because nerve ending are usually intact, despite severe tissue damage.

· THIRD DEGREE burns are the deepest. They may look white or charred, extend through all skin layers. Victims of third degree burns may have severe pain -- or no pain at all -- if the nerve endings are destroyed.

· Considerations: Before giving first aid, consider how extensively burned the victim is and try to determine the depth of the most serious part of the burn. Then treat the entire burn accordingly. Knowing how the burn occurred is helpful, since different sources cause different types of burns. If in doubt, treat it as a severe burn. Giving immediate first aid before professional medical help is received may lessen the severity of the burn. Prompt medical attention to serious burns can help prevent scarring, disability, and deformity. For extensive but superficial burns, keep dressings clean and dry and change them as needed. If signs of infection develop get medical help immediately. Signs of infection include increased pain, redness, swelling, drainage from the burn, swollen lymph nodes, or red streaks spreading from the burn toward the heart. Burns on the face, hands, feet, and genitalia are most serious, because of possible loss of function.

DO NOT:
DO NOT apply ointment, butter, ice, medications, adhesive bandages, cream, or oil to a burn. This can interfere with proper healing.
DO NOT allow the burn to become contaminated. Avoid breathing or coughing on the burn.
DO NOT disturb blistered or dead skin.
DO NOT give the victim anything by mouth, if there is a severe burn.
DO NOT apply cold compresses and do not immerse a severe burn in cold water. This can cause shock.
DO NOT place a pillow under the victim's head if there is an airway burn and he or she is lying down. This can close the airway.

In all cases for burns, several elements remain the same:
Calm and reassure the victim. Burns can be extremely painful.
Protect the burn from pressure and friction.
Pain medications may be used to help relieve the pain; they may also help reduce inflammation and swelling.

Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment. However, if a burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, or if it occurred on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, then move to the next step of treatment (see below).

First Aid For FIRST DEGREE Burns
If the skin is unbroken, run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in a cool water (not ice water) bath. Keep the area submerged for at least 5 minutes. However, if the burn occurred in a cold environment, do not apply water. A clean, cold, wet towel will also help reduce pain.

After flushing or soaking for several minutes, cover the burn with a moist sterile bandage (if available) or clean cloth.

First Aid for SECOND DEGREE Burns
Apply dry dressings and bandage loosely Do not use water as it may increase risk of shock.

First Aid for THIRD DEGREE Burns
Same treatment as second degree.

Seek the attention of a Healer