First Aid Page

Why? ~s~ Well, because it makes sense to have folks in a home have a clue as to what they may do to help if anyone is injured. Whether slaves should be educated in such matters is not a debate i will reenter. i was told to see what i could come up with and i did, such is my duty, period.

NOTE: The information contained below safe for references to purely Gorean items, is not an invention nor is it fantasy. The principles used here as well as the primary interventions, are simply a copy of a 'first responders' course i give to my staff in RT. ~s~

azzizza{CASCA}

 

MEDKIT CONTENT

 

Cloths - Rep cloth and compresses (akin cotton). They are to be used for cleansing wounds, hands, dishes, practically anything a girl needs to clean. In tending to wounds, rep cloth can be used for cleansing, soaked into warm water, or a premix of water and salt (0.9%), or a light antiseptic soap.

 

"Rep is a whitish fibrous matter found in the seed pods of a small, reddish, woody bush, commercially grown in several areas, but particularly below Ar and above the equator; the cheap rep-cloth is woven in mills, commonly, in various cities; it takes dyes well and, being cheap and strong, is popular, particularly among the lower castes."
---Raiders of Gor, pages 10-11

Bandages - bandages are made of silk and are used to wrap the wound snugly so that bacteria doesn't get past the fabric while the healing process takes place. (girls can be seen ripping bandages while in the Fjord, it is a Fjord chore and if a girl is unsure how to do so she can ask any of the senior girls what she should do to prepare bandages from whole pieces of older silks *smiles*)

 

"A physician entered the booth with his kit slung over the shoulder of his green robes. When the physician had finished the cleansing, chemical sterilization and dressing of the wounds he left. The scribe paid the physician a tarsk bit."
---Beasts of Gor, page 104

Saline Solution - 1/100 parts salt in water, boiled and bottled. This constitutes your all purpose cleansing solution. You should have a LARGE bottle of saline solution in the kit, and another smaller one of premixed saline and antiseptic. Saline solution is used alone or mixed with a mild antiseptic to cleanse wounds.

Scissors - Bandage Scissors : characteristically have rounded tips and are used to cut gauze and bandages.
Scissors - All purpose : Large heavy duty scissors to cut through leather, clothes etc.
Scissors - Suture set scissors : are tiny, thin and very sharp for cutting suture thread.

Suture sets - (SEE STITCHING) pretty self-explanatory. Suturing needles are short and curve-shaped. The needle driver, looks like a pair of scissors with tiny teeth at its ends. You clamp it over the needle and use it to 'drive' the needle without having your hands in the way. Suture thread is thin, clear, almost resin-like, on earth, sutures used to be made of gut (more precisely cat gut), nowadays, they are made of silk, nylon, chrome and various other material. Scissors ~s~ small, thin blabbed, to cut the thread of course!

Tweezers and pliers - tweezers or splinter forceps, are used for smaller tasks, such as splinter pulling. The pliers are used to remove objects from beneath the skin (i.e. arrow heads which are not hooked, quiva tips, etc.)

Scalpel and blades - scalpels are usually just a handle and the blades (disposable or reusable after sterilization) are slipped into them. You would use such an instrument to open up a wound where a arrow is lodged. These arrows are hook tipped and hence cannot be simply pulled out, this would result in literally ripping the flesh on the way out and why we choose rather to 'dissect' the arrow out, sometimes whole, sometimes by cutting it to separate the hooked tips from the rest and pulling out the two pieces separately.

Metal cutters -- rather easy to figure out ~s~ thin nosed cutter used to cut metal (see above).

Balms, ointments and salves - These are applied on cuts, scrapes, burns, and over sutured wounds AFTER cleansing and/or sutured, before the dressing/bandage is applied.

 

"Return him to his kennel, she said. Put balm on his wounds."
---Fighting Slave of Gor, page 207


BASIC PRINCIPLES
A few things that are helpful to know when assessing injuries.

 

YOU ARE NOT A HEALER. If an injury requires more than simple treatment i.e. what you have been taught, control the damages as best you can and scream for help. DO NOT attempt to improvise with medicine, stick to what you KNOW and leave the rest to those who know more. A Healer must be found for any injury that goes beyond primary treatment. If you cannot be certain of injury extent, or if in ANY doubt, send for a HEALER.

HEAT increases circulation. The application of heat to a still bleeding injury causes the blood vessels in that area to 'dilate' i.e. open. This will increase bleeding. Heat in NEVER applied to an fresh injury, note it is applied for example on a 'sore gut' if one suspects internal bleeding from a blow or a blunt trauma of any kind.

COLD decreases circulation. This is the North girls! We have ICE! Use it. The application of ice will have the opposite effect on the blood vessels of the affected area than heat would. It closes up the vessels to 'constrict'. This is why ice is recommended on fresh injuries, it will help control bleeding. If using ice, remember not to apply directly onto the skin, wrap in a cloth. You will find in the ice shed, prepared cloth bags of peas, frozen for this purpose

Blood flow is subject to GRAVITY. In other words, a bleeding hand will likely bleed less if it is raised higher than the organ pumping the blood (errr that's the heart folks ~w~) It also means that it is best to treat a warrior lying down or reclined back than standing. It also means that when they turn light green and clammy, holding the feet up will help. You see, the feet and hands are NOT vital organs... if the bleeding has been significant enough to affect total volume, you need to make sure the main organs (brain/heart/kidneys etc.) get as much of the flow as possible.

Removing a blade from a wound is NOT the same as 'wielding a weapon'. Slaves may very well need to 'touch' a weapon if they are to remove it from a wound. Don't sit there for twenty ehns wondering if you are going to get killed for doing so, or looking all over for pliers to grab the blade or arrow with while Master bleeds to death. Your priority IS the Master you are helping and if your life is worth more than His that badly, you probably don't deserve to live anyway. Assuming the Free you are treating does not know the difference between 'touching' a weapon and threatening harm with one means that you assume they are stupid, that alone might not be a pleasing thought to them.

SUTURING is not the same as sewing. Sutures are not done by a series of continuous in/out of the skin motions with the needle. Each suture is done separately and the thread knotted and cut between each. Sewing a wound closed in one single thread means that if one suture pops, the whole thing unravels... get the picture?


DURING THE BATTLE (a tip)

 

Pay attention to the exchanges, this way you will know what you are looking for when you run out of the med room. A good way to keep track of injuries is to follow the posts of the Master you have been assigned to help. Sometimes following the 'attacker"s' posts lead to confusion.

For example
ATTACKER says to Master X : throwing a quiva to your gut.
Master X says to ATTACKER : sees the quiva coming and ducks, growling as the blade enters my shoulder.

OK so in the above, if you were only reading the attacker's post you would assume to have to treat an abdominal wound. BUT, if you pay attention to the reply, you will treat a shoulder wound. Not every hit or attempted injury is accepted, that is part of the battle so pay attention to the VF Warrior posts rather than only the posts of the attacker.

 

BASIC ASSESSMENT (primary examination)

 

1. State of consciousness
2. Breathing
3. Pulse
4. Bleeding
5. Signs of shock

Note: The above are not necessarily verified in order, some things are obvious, some less, and usually done simultaneously.

LOOK <s> -- your eyes are the first tool you need to use.

  • Giving a general glance over the Warrior should clue you in on what needs done first. Consciousness, breathing, and the presence of a pulse would be the first things you want to establish. No point in suturing a wound if Master isn't breathing *lol . If he is walking/talking etc.… no need to ask if he is conscious, breathing, or to check if pulse is present… anyone who speaks is obviously breathing. Taking the pulse rate will however give you information on the possibility of shock creeping in. (Normal pulse is 60-100 beats per ehn). A rapid and weak pulse is indicative of shock, it would be accompanied by cold, clammy skin, shivers and pallor. (See section on basic principles).
  • Treat shock by elevating legs (after you lay the man down puhlease).
  • Clear the affected area. One cannot assess a wound or an injury if it is covered in clothes or blood or constricted by a boot or a belt. Remove any clothing that obstructs you view and wipe off as much of the blood as you can with a damp cloth. You may also have to clean off mud, sand, grass etc.… In removing clothing, you may find your task impaired by the glue effect of dried blood DO NOT PULL OFF pieces of clothe or mock bandages that may be glues to the wound. For anything that is 'stuck' to a wound, copious amounts of saline solution should be used by either pouring it directly onto the wound or delicately wiping with a soaked cloth.
  • Anything that is actively bleeding requires immediate attention. No use trying to clean up a wound if it is gushing. Apply direct pressure with wadded cloth AFTER making sure nothing is lodged in the wound, pushing down on a quiva tip might not get you compliments.

 

SECONDARY EXAMINATION and CARE

 

First, eliminate the possibility of spinal injury. Back pain, neck pain and anything that might lead to possible spinal injury requires that you NOT move the patient. Use sandbags on either side of the neck to immobilize the head and go for help. Of course this means you have established, in your primary assessment, that no life threatening situation needed tending. Don't leave a Warrior to bleeding to death or not breathing to go get help on a spinal injury, make sense?

Second, tend to the injuries in order of priority i.e. those injuries that are most likely to result in life threatening situations if left unattended are cared for first.

The most common wound a bondmaid will be required to handle is the wound caused by blades various types. (Scrapes, cuts, slices, stabs, lacerations and partial amputations)

BLEEDING WOUNDS
Hemorrhage is bleeding caused by broken vessels, Such bleeding may be external or internal.

 

External bleeding is visible since blood flows from a localized injury on the body surface. Any heavy bleeding must be stopped quickly. Internal bleeding, obviously, is not visible; however the accident that causes internal bleeding and the signs that appear in such a case permit you to identify it.

A significant loss of blood may lead to shock, a condition where the blood supply to the body's vital organs is compromised. In the event of a serious injury where there is heavy bleeding, the first aider must control the blood loss and facilitate the return of the blood flow to the heart and head from the lower limbs.

EXTERNAL BLEEDING
The amount of blood lost will depend on the number of broken vessels, their size, and their function (artery or vein).

 

SIGNS
· Arterial bleeding can be recognized by blood spurting out at the same rate as the heart beat. The bigger the artery, the more the blood is pushed out, the less time you have. Bleeding from major arteries is difficult to control, because the vessel is rigid and does not close back together by itself. Arterial blood is bright red.
· Venous bleeding consists of a regular flow of blood that forms a pool. Generally, venous bleeding is easier to control, because the vessel is rather soft, limp, and can be pressed together with relative ease, thus encouraging the formation of a blood clot that will act as a plug.

DIRECT PRESSURE
The body exhibits a highly perfected mechanism for the control of bleeding. Actually, blood vessels have the property of contracting to reduce blood flow and to facilitate the formation of clots, which serve as plugs. The smaller the vessel, the more effective this mechanism. Usually, however, the rupture of a large vessel requires immediate attention from the first aider, to stop bleeding as quickly as possible by applying direct pressure.
When the pressure method works, the bleeding is stopped. This does not mean that absolutely no more blood will escape.

WHAT TO DO

  • Without loosing a second, press directly on the wound with your fingers or the palm of your hand, or, if available and preferably, with a cloth, in such a way as to apply full pressure on the vessel which is bleeding.
  • Place a pressure dressing on the wound (Piling cloth and compresses to the wound and securing with a bandage) and knot the bandages securely to maintain pressure. Even if the dressing is soaked with blood, leave it in place so that you don't disturb clot formation. Instead of taking it off, choose to apply another dressing on top of the first, or to apply force with the palm of your hand to increase pressure on the bleeding vessel. Avoid over tightening: blood must be able to circulate in the limb. If the fingertips or toes are cold, numb or turning white or bluish, the bandage is cutting off circulation. In such a case, loosen it somewhat.
  • If the wound is on an arm or a leg, elevate limb to reduce blood flow.
  • Check for signs of shock (see lower)


BLEEDING FROM NECK OR GROIN

 

WHAT TO DO

  • Neck: The main arteries of the neck are the carotids. They are located on either side of the windpipe. Taking care not to press on the windpipe and obstruct breathing, quickly press down with your thumb on the artery running beside the windpipe or any other large bleeding vessel. Apply pressure as closely as possible to the cut, between the wound and the heart. Never press on the carotids in case of facial or head bleeding.
  • Groin: The main arteries running from the abdomen to the groin are the femoral. Without loosing a second, press as hard as possible on the severed artery with your fist. Apply pressure as closely as possible to the cut. Between the wound and the heart.
  • Continue to apply pressure until a Healer arrives or the bleeding is completely stopped.
  • Watch for signs of shock.


BLEEDING FROM A SEVERED LIMB (AMPUTATION)

 

WHAT TO DO
First aid procedures

  • Control bleeding by applying pressure directly on the wound. Maintain pressure with your hand until the bleeding stops. If direct pressure is not totally effective, apply a tourniquet and proceed as follows.
  • Cover the wound with a dressing. Avoid applying antiseptic.
  • Do not feed the injured or give them anything to drink. If surgery is required, it is best the patient be fasting to increase his chances of successful anesthesia and recovery.
  • Watch for signs of shock.
  • Cover and keep warm until Healer arrives.

  • WHAT TO DO
    Preserving the severed segment

  • Wrap the severed segment in clean cloth.
  • Place the wrapped segment in a cloth bag of ice. Ice will help preserve the tissues, but should not come into direct contact with them, since they could damage by freezing.

     

APPLYING THE TOURNIQUET
Application of a tourniquet is only justified to save the injured person's life, when all other techniques to control fatal bleeding have failed. Its use can lead to the loss of the limb in question and can reduce the chances of a successful reattachment or graft, when possible.

Severe bleeding without amputation : When there is serious hemorrhage which cannot be stopped by direct pressure, it may be necessary to apply a tourniquet to save the injured's life. The tourniquet is placed near the injury, between the heart and the wound. This is an extreme measure which might result in the loss of the limb while saving the person's life.

 

A tourniquet is applied ONLY in the following cases:
· When bleeding can not be stopped by direct pressure;
· When the first aider is alone and MUST turn his attention to reviving the person or giving other extremely urgent aid.

This technique consists of exerting circular pressure around the severed vessels, as close as possible to the wound. Pressure is exerted by a wide (3 inches) band, knotted securely in place around a stick. A triangular bandage, a shirt sleeve or a scarf may be used for this purpose (never use string, wire or binding fiber).

WHAT TO DO
Applying the tourniquet

  • Lay the victim down with his head flat, raise the injured limb if possible.
  • Slip a wide band around the limb, as close as possible to the wound without touching it.
  • Make a first knot.
  • Place a stick on top of the knot and tie two more knots around the stick.
  • Twist the stick until the bleeding stops. You will have to turn it tightly to stop arterial bleeding. Do not be surprised if it causes pain.
  • Keep the stick in place by tying it with another bandage.
  • Note time of application if possible.

  • CAUTION: You must never loosen a tourniquet which has been applied to a completely severed wound.

     

TREATMENT

In all of these, the procedure is basically the same…
· Assess the damages
· Plan care
· Treat

 

Treatment always depends on assessment:

  • How deep is the cut?
  • Is it a flesh wound of does it affect tendons, nerves, bones even sometimes?
  • Anything that requires tendon repair, nerve repair or setting a bone, requires intervention by a Healer. This does not mean you do nothing while waiting.
  • Clean the wound, control bleeding and dress it.
  • Immobilize any unstable (fractured) bone DO NOT ATTEMPT TO SET IT.
  • Elevate the affected limb to decrease bleeding or prevent it from recurring.
     

  • WHAT TO DO
    Suturing

    • Make sure there is nothing protruding from the wound.
    • Cleanse wound and apply direct pressure to control bleeding.
    • Thread the suture thread through the needle and clamp the needle driver firmly onto the needle. DO NOT KNOT THE END.
    • Push the needle through the wound edge from the outside in and into the opposite edge from the inside out.
    • Pull the thread through, knot and cut. (yes, between each stitch)
    • Repeat the procedure as many times as it takes to close the wound, keeping the sutures close and tight.
    • Wipe off the suture line and surrounding area once more.
    • Apply ointment and dress snugly but not so tight that it impairs circulation.
       

    •  

CRUSHED LIMBS

 

WHAT TO DO

  • Control bleeding by applying direct pressure if necessary.
  • Cover and wrap all wounds with clean cloth or compresses once bleeding is controlled. If it is a foot injury, do not remove boot, it acts as a splint and maintains pressure and support.
  • Place a splint under the injured limb (wood or anything flat, hard and wide enough), wrap a bandage around both the splint and the limb, in order to stabilize any possible fracture. DO NO move the limb while bandaging
  • Monitor for signs of shock.

 

PUNCTURE WOUNDS (EMBEDDED OBJECTS)

 

WHAT TO DO
dressing the wound

  • LEAVE the embedded object in place. DO NOT try to remove it until the wound can be thoroughly examine, since doing so increases the chance of bleeding and damage to nerves, muscles or vessels at the injury site.
  • Control bleeding by applying direct pressure AROUND the protruding object as close to this objects as possible and without moving the object.
  • If bleeding is profuse, lay the injured down, elevate feet slightly.
  • Use rolled bandages on either side of the object and wind bandage around them, knotting tightly to hold in place and maintain pressure.
  • Monitor for signs of shock.

  • If it becomes evident that NO HEALER is nor will be available to remove the object, once bleeding is controlled and the injured is stable, it will be necessary to examin the wound further and determine if the removal can be performed by the first aider.

    WHAT TO DO
    removing the object

  • Obtain as much information as possible on the object (size, length, nature, barbed or not, hooked or not etc.)
  • Cut the dressing to remove it and carefully examine the wound, you may need to pull the wound edges apart to do this (insert closed forceps into the wound and open gently.
  • Clamp forceps over the object as low as possible into the wound, again this may require opening the wound further.
  • Remove object and immediately reapply pressure.
  • Treat wound as usual.

    NOTE: Barbed arrows or hook tipped weapons should never be pulled out. They are either pushed through or cut into pieces before removal.

    NOTE II: DO NOT DO THIS unless you are absolutely certain this cannot wait for a Healer to be found or that the procedure, by nature of the object and site of injury, can be removed without adding to the damages.

 

INTERNAL BLEEDING
Internal bleeding is caused by the perforation of tissues or internal organs, usually secondary to a fracture, a blow or a penetrating injury (i.e. arrow). Most injuries that result in internal bleeding require emergency surgery.

 

SIGNS
Often, the only signs of internal injury are those caused by shock (see below):

Nonspecific signs may include:

  • sensitivity or pain at the site of the injury
  • bruising or swelling

  • Other signs may also be observed when bleeding occurs in specific areas:

  • head: abnormal behavior, loss of consciousness;
  • lungs: difficulty breathing, frothy blood at the mouth;
  • stomach: vomiting blood;
  • abdomen: hardening of the abdomen, localized or diffuse pains. Painful to touch.

    WHAT TO DO

  • minor internal bleeding (simple bruising) can be treated with ice application.
  • treat as for shock (see below).

 

SHOCK
Any serious injury to the body, whether a burn or an infection, may result in shock in the the victim. But shock is much more likely to occur with internal bleeding or heavy external bleeding

Shock is a condition in which the blood supply to vital organs is drastically reduced. If the state of shock lasts long, it can result in impaired function of said organs. The aim of treatment is to reestablish adequate circulation. For the first aider, this means controlling bleeding and facilitating the return of blood to the heart from lower limbs.

     

    SIGNS
    The signs of shock do not always appear immediately after an injury. They may present later; therefore, you must always be watching for shock. One or more of these signs may appear:

    • weak, rapid pulse;
    • cold, clammy skin;
    • nausea, vomiting;
    • pallor, chills, cold sweats, waxy skin;
    • anxiety, thirst;
    • weakness, drowsiness, syncope (fainting);
    • increasing faster, labored or deeper breathing;
    • gradual loss of consciousness.

    • WHAT TO DO
      After having stopped the bleeding and given any other urgent aid, as required:

    • lay the casualty down in a comfortable position, head flat (no pillow), and try to reassure him.
    • Raise feet about a foot. This makes blood return more easily to the heart from the legs.
    • Loosen clothing. Cover with a fur to prevent loss of body heat.
    • Monitor breathing and pulse closely.
    • Keep hovering crowd away, victim needs air, peace and quiet.
    • turn to the side if vomiting occurs, keeping feet elevated.
    • CAUTION: DO NOT give anything to eat or drink, even if he asks for it.
 

 

MINOR WOUNDS
Minor wounds include scrapes, grazes, broken blisters and small cuts going no deeper than the surface layer of skin.

 

WHAT DO TO
cleaning and dressing a wound

  • Wash the injured area well, using cloth soaked with mild antiseptic and saline solution or soak it for five ehn or so, even if the wound is bleeding slightly. Remove all dirt, grass by wiping gently. Be careful to wipe AWAY from wound as not to push dirt and debris back into the wound, don't be afraid to change your cloth often.
  • Rinse with luke warm water.
  • Pat dry.
  • Apply the salve or ointment to the wound with a clean compress (not your fingers), you can also put the ointment directly on the dressing compress.
  • Cover the wound and wrap snugly but not too tightly.
  • Ask the person to 1) keep the dressing clean and dry and to make sure it is changed if it becomes dirty or wet. 2) Have the dressing changed daily, this allows for the wound to be examined for signs of infection.

 

SERIOUS FACIAL WOUNDS
Serious facial wounds can compromise breathing because of blood loss or the presence of debris in the mouth and threat. It is also important to note that the scalp and face area tend to bleed more heavily than most other areas. Give additional attention to the possibility of breathing being impaired. A sitting position is best for these cases.

CAUTION: DO NOT apply pressure when there are serious facial injuries. FIND a Healer.

 

ABDOMINAL WOUND WITH PROTRUDING VISCERA
A wound through which abdominal organs or viscera protrue is an EXTREMELY serious injury that usually involves sever internal bleeding. These types of injuries ALWAYS require examination intervention by a Healer. Stabilize and GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.

 

WHAT TO DO

  • Lay the injured down with head flat, raise feet.
  • Without putting the organs back in place, cover them completely with cloth moistened with saline solution (preferably sterile). It is important to keep the viscera humid.
  • Cover the moist dressing with a wide bandage.
  • Cover the injured person with warm furs to prevent loss of body heat as much as possible.
  • Monitor for signs of shock.

CHEST WOUND WITH LUNG PUNCTURE
If a chest wound is complicated by the puncturing of a lung, blood or blood mixed with air bubbles will escape from the wound upon exhalation (breathing out). This is a VERY SERIOUS injury, which often causes internal bleeding as well. These types of injuries ALWAYS require examination intervention by a Healer. Stabilize and GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.

 

WHAT TO DO

  • When an object is embedded in the chest, DO NOT try to remove it. Follow the same procedure as for other wounds. When there is no embedded object, you must immediately stop the air from entering the wound. Cover the wound with the palm of your hand, keeping an airtight seal. Keep it hermetically (air tight) sealed; air must not enter when the person breathes.
  • Ask a sister to prepare an airtight dressing to cover the entire wound and prevent air from penetrating. Take several cloth squares and place a piece of tanned hide or any other airtight material between them.
  • Secure the dressing in place on 3 sides only. When applied this way, the dressing will form a sort of valve that prevents air from entering upon inhalation (breathing in), but allows it to escape upon exhalation (breathing out).
  • If the injured is unconscious, after following the procedures described above, move them to their side, laying them on the side of the injury. This allows the good side to function more easily. If they are conscious, put them in a half-sitting position on the injured side, with head and shoulders raised by rolled up furs to facilitate breathing. Do not lay down flat, as they could choke. Loosen clothing around the neck and waist.
  • Watch for signs of shock.

FRACTURES, DISLOCATIONS, SPRAINS and STRAINS
- A fracture is a broken bone. A fracture may occur with or without displacement of the two parts of the broken bone (according to whether the two parts remain in their normal position or not). In some cases, a fracture involving bone movement may result in an open wound where the bone may be exposed. This type of fracture is called an open fracture. Even if you cannot see the bone, if the skin is broken, the injury must be treated as an open fracture.
- A dislocation occurs when a bone moves partway or fully out of its joint.
- A sprain occurs when the tissues in a joint are stretched beyond their normal range or torn (a very serious injury).
- A mild sprain is generally known as a strain.

 

SIGNS
A fracture, dislocation or sprain may present one or more of the following signs:

  • intense, persistent pain:
  • difficulty or inability to move:
  • swelling around the injury site:
  • deformation or shortening of the injured limb compared to the uninjured one

If you see these signs, always treat the injury as a fracture.

SPINE OR NECK FRACTURES
When the spine is fractured, the broken bone or bones may crush or sever the spinal cord at any time. This could lead to paralysis of the limbs located below the level of the spinal injury. Paralysis does not necessarily occur at the same time as the injury which causes the fracture, but may occur when the victim is handled (moved). In actual fact, improper handling is a frequent cause of paralysis for those with spinal injuries. These types of injuries ALWAYS require examination intervention by a Healer. Stabilize and GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.

 

SIGNS
One or more of the following signs may be present:

  • Pain at the fracture site.
  • Numbness
  • Difficulty or inability to move.
  • Loss of sensation.
  • Paralysis.

  • If the injured is unconscious, the signs are harder to observe or verify. Ask witnesses (if you were not there) how the injury happened. When in doubt, always act as if the injury were a fracture.

    WHAT TO DO
    Stabilizing suspected spinal injuries

  • Leave the injured person in the position in which you find them. If conscious, stress the importance of remaining immobile to them.
  • Stabilize by placing support (ideally small sandbags) on both sides of the head and body to prevent movement or shifting.
  • Cover with warm furs.

SKULL FRACTURES or TRAUMA

 

SIGNS
The signs will vary according to the type and seriousness of the injury. It is worthwhile to note that sometimes there may not be any signs. These types of injuries ALWAYS require examination intervention by a Healer. Stabilize and GET HELP IMMEDIATELY.

  • Pain in the head.
  • Unequal pupils.
  • Deformation of the skull
  • Oozing of blood or clear liquid from nose or ears.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Confusion, agitation, drowsiness.
  • Memory loss.
  • Loss of consciousness.
  • Paralysis

  • In the case of a head injury, internal bleeding may also occur, though its manifestations may not appear until later. Abnormal behavior (agitation, confusion, excitement) may then occur, followed by drowsiness then unconsciousness. These disorders are almost always accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Therefore, always be weary of and watch for the delayed effects of internal bleeding. Look for behavioral disorders and, if any, note time they began in order to inform the Healer. When in doubt, always treat for fracture.

    WHAT TO DO
    Stabilization

  • If the injured person might have a fractured neck, proceed as for a fractured spine.
  • If the victim has NO signs of neck fracture, calm them down and reassure, explain that they must not move and try to get them to lie down. If they refuse, do not argue as this may create anxiety, continue to watch closely.
  • If the victim is laying down, stabilize head by placing support (sand bags) on both sides.
  • If the victim is unconscious or vomits, turn to side. Monitor breathing and pulse until Healer arrives.
  • If blood or fluid ooze from nose or ears, simply wipe away.
  • Cover with warm furs.

 

LIMB FRACTURES

 

WHAT TO DO
Stabilization

  • Have the injured sit or lie down depending on case. The injured person usually adopts the position that causes the least pain.
  • Ask them to avoid making any movement liable to worsen the injury. Do not apply any sort of traction and do not attempt to reposition a deformed limb.
  • If it is an open fracture (skin is broken), always cover the wound to prevent infection. Avoid touching the wound with bare hands and do not apply pressure whatsoever. Cover the entire wound and any visible bone with cloth, preferably sterile. Without pressing on the tips of the bones, gently apply a bandage.
  • Immobilize as follows.

  • WHAT TO DO
    Immobilizing

    The object of complete immobilization is to prevent any movement of the injured limb or body part.

  • Place a hard flat splint alongside the injured limb.
  • Secure the splint with bandages tied above and below the injury, to prevent any movement liable to make it worse or increase pain. Never knot a bandage or put any other fastener on top of the injury, this could worsen it.

 

FRACTURED RIBS

 

SIGNS

  • Usual signs of a fracture.
  • Local pain that gets worse whenever the injured person breathes, moves or coughs.

  • WHAT TO DO

  • Put the injured in the position in which they are most comfortable, lying down with head and shoulders raised or half sitting and turn slightly to the injured side so that the 'good side' can function more easily.
  • support and stabilize the arm on the injured side with rolled furs.

    CAUTION: DO NOT try to put bandages around the chest.

     

NOSE FRACTURE

 

WHAT TO DO

  • DO NOT try to stop bleeding by pinching the nostrils.
  • If the person is conscious, place in sitting position with head straight or inclined slightly forward.
  • Wipe away blood.
  • Apply ice pack
  • If the injured person is unconscious or bleeding heavily, lay them on their side (on the side of the bleeding nostril) to prevent them from choking on blood running into throat.

 

ONLINE GOR MYTHS, IMPROVISED TREATMENTS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

 

KANDA

Kanda has been , for some time and all over Gor, used for a multitude of purposes. i suppose the word sounded neat ~s~. But in fact what DO we know of this plant?

--It's roots are poisonous and used to kill.

 

"On the twentieth day of the siege there was great rejoicing in the camp of Pa-Kur, because in one place the wires had been cut and a squad of spearmen had reached the main siege reservoir, emptying their barrels of toxic kanda, a lethal poison extracted from one of Gor's desert shrubs."
---Tarnsman of Gor, page 179

"It was a throwing knife, of a sort used in Ar, much smaller than the southern quiva, and tapered on only one side. It was a knife designed for killing. Mixed with the blood and fluids of the body there was a smear of white at the end of the steel, the softened residue of a glaze of kanda paste, now melted by body heat, which had coated the tip of the blade. On the hilt of the dagger, curling about it, was the legend, 'I have sought him. I have found him.' It was a killing knife. 'The Caste of Assassins?' I had asked. 'Unlikely,' had said the Older Tarl, 'for Assassins are commonly too proud for poison.'"
---Assassin of Gor, page 42

--Its leaves are said to be basically harmless (innocuous), yet, we have in Nomads, what would seem to be a case of addiction, and most certainly the 'user' is described as less than alert.

 

"The roots of the kanda plant, which grows largely in desert regions on Gor, are extremely toxic, but, surprisingly, the rolled leaves of this plant, which are relatively innocuous, are formed into strings and, chewed or sucked, are much favored by many Goreans, particularly in the southern hemisphere, where the leaf is more abundant. Kutaituchik, not taking his eyes off us, thrust one end of the green kanda string in the left side of his mouth and, very slowly, began to chew it. He said nothing, nor did Kamchak.

And yet was I sad as I looked upon him, for I sensed that for this man there could no longer be the saddle of the kaiila, the whirling of the rope and bole, the hunt and the war. Now, from the right side of his mouth, thin, black and wet, there emerged the chewed string of kanda, a quarter of an inch at a time, slowly. The drooping eyes, glazed, regarded us. For him there could no longer be the swift races across the frozen prairie; the meetings in arms; even the dancing to the sky about a fire of bosk dung. Kamchak and I waited until the string had been chewed.

At the head of our line, on a huge kaiila, rode Kutaituchik, his eyes closed, his head nodding, his body swaying with the stately movement of the animal, a half- chewed string of kanda dangling from his mouth.

If such were to be elected, I trusted, at least for the sake of the Wagon Peoples, that it would not be Kutaituchik. Once he might have been a great man and warrior but now, somnolent and fat, he thought of little save the contents of a golden kanda box.

"It was Saphrar of Turia," said Kamchak to me, "who first introduced Kutaituchik to the strings of kanda." He added, 'it was twice he killed my father."

"Why is it," I asked Harold, "that he spared Turia?" "His mother was Turian," said Harold. I stopped. "Did you not know?" asked Harold. I shook my head. "No," I said. "I did not know." "It was after her death," said Harold, "that Kutatuchik first tasted the rolled strings of kanda."
--- Various quotes from Nomads of Gor

Kanda, i suppose, would then be somewhat similar to an opiate type narcotic (like morphine), and if we do on earth use many poisons to treat various ailments or relieve pain (digitalis, opium, cocaine among others), they most certainly are not pumped into people the way Kanda is handed out to injured Warriors here online. It is not totally unrealistic to imagine that Gorean Physicians managed to extract and dilute the narcotic substance contained in Kanda to use it as a form of narcotic/analgesic, but the truth is its use for therapeutic purposes is never mentioned anywhere and why i choose to leave it out. We are told of frobicain (lidocaine), Thassa powder and capture scent (chloroform) on different occasion, all of which are meant to induce sleep in one form or another. As this obviously would require close medical monitoring, i have not included its use by first aiders.

CAUTERIZATION

Electrocauterization is in effect, the application of heat (usually electrically induced) to a bleeding vessel. Its purpose is to burn the end of the vessel, forcing scarring and hence, closing it to stop bleeding. As the process basically DESTROYS the vessel and renders it useless, this is never used on large vessels but rather, on small persistent bleeders we know can be compensated for by others.

Burning flesh causes destruction of collagen and other skin components... it leaves an ugly, thick and rigid type of scar... and it most certainly does not make wound edges 'stick' miraculously together. When cauterization is used to burn the end of persistent bleeding vessels, if the wound is deep enough, suturing is still required. By cauterizing, you will have only stopped bleeding.

There is NO magic wand that closes wounds, not via cauterization sorry. Cauterizing means burning, one does not burn the sides of a wound to close them.

Furthermore, if such a magic wand exists on Gor, it is not mentioned anywhere.

Closing a wound is either done by dressing it snugly and waiting for nature to 'granulate', or simply by suturing.

My personal view is that either way, first aiders should stick to direct pressure and pressure dressings. What Healers choose to do, invent, create, is not my concern.

Although this page is fairly close to being completed... odds and ends will be added as they are thought of. ~s~ i wish you well.

azzizza{CASCA}

 

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