RIFLE
The rifle is a high-velocity weapon designed to be used while holding against the shoulder. It has a rifled bore (spiral grooves) and releases a single shot, but can be semi-automatic or fully automatic (capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released). The bullet makes a narrow and long path of injury. A bullet can deviate up to 90 degrees from a straight path after it hits body tissue. The tissue is displaced along the path temporarily as it passes through the body. The tissue and bone are disrupted and stretched, causing damage. Bullets can mushroom, deform, or fragment as they hit tissue or bone, resulting in a pathway of damage larger than the bullet itself. Some bullets are designed to fragment or explode after impact.
SHOTGUN
The shotgun is commonly a low-velocity weapon with a smooth-bore barrel designed to be used at short range and classified by the diameter of the barrel (eg, 12-gauge, 16-gauge). The discharge is normally a release of multiple pellets, but the shotgun can discharge a single large slug. Shotguns can be semi-automatic or fully automatic (capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released). The path is usually wide with a short path of damage. The slugs or pellets can mushroom, deform, or fragment as they hit the body tissue or bone, resulting in a larger pathway of damage than the size of the bullet. Some slugs and pellets are designed to fragment or explode after impact.
HANDGUNS, REVOLVERS, AND AUTOLOADING PISTOLS
Handguns are typically low-velocity weapons designed to be held and shot with one hand. A revolver has a revolving cartridge with several chambers made to release one shot after the other. Pistols have a chamber of bullets that are autoloading. Pistols can be semi-automatic or fully automatic (capable of firing continuously until ammunition is exhausted or the trigger is released). The path of damage is normally wide with a short path of damage. Bullets can mushroom, deform, or fragment as they hit tissue or bone, resulting in a larger pathway of damage. Some bullets are designed to fragment or explode after impact.
Treatment of wounds involves stopping any bleeding, then cleaning and
dressing the wound to prevent infection.
Stopping the bleeding
Most bleeding may be stopped by direct pressure. Direct pressure is applied by
placing a clean cloth or dressing over the wound and pressing the palm of the
hand over the entire area. This limits local bleeding without disrupting a
significant portion of the circulation. The cloth absorbs blood and allows clot
formation; the clot should not be disturbed, so if blood soaks through the cloth,
another cloth should be placed directly on top rather than replacing the
original cloth.
If the wound is on an arm or leg that does not appear to have a broken bone,
the wound should be elevated to a height above the person's heart while direct
pressure is applied. Elevating the wound allows gravity to slow down the flow
of blood to that area.
If severe bleeding cannot be stopped by direct pressure or with elevation, the
next step is to apply pressure to the major artery supplying blood to the area of
the wound. In the arm, pressure would be applied to the brachial artery by
pressing the inside of the upper arm against the bone. In the leg, pressure
would be applied to the femoral artery by pressing on the inner crease of the
groin against the pelvic bone.
If the bleeding from an arm or leg is so extreme as to be life-threatening and if
it cannot be stopped by any other means, a tourniquet may be required.
However, in the process of limiting further blood loss, the tourniquet also
drastically deprives the limb tissues of oxygen. As a result, the patient may live
but the limb may die.
Dressing the wound
Once the bleeding has been stopped, cleaning and dressing the wound is
important for preventing infection. Although the flowing blood flushes debris
from the wound, running water should also be used to rinse away dirt.
Embedded particles such as wood slivers and glass splinters, if not too deep,
may be removed with a needle or pair of tweezers that has been sterilized in
rubbing alcohol or in the heat of a flame. Once the wound has been cleared of
foreign material and washed, it should be gently blotted dry, with care not to
disturb the blood clot. An antibiotic ointment may be applied. The wound
should then be covered with a clean dressing and bandaged to hold the
dressing in place.
Emergency treatment note :
With even as little as one quart of blood lost, a person may lose consciousness
and go into traumatic shock.
Homeopathy can be very effective in acute wound situations. Ledum (Ledum
palustre) is recommended for puncture wounds (taken internally). Calendula
(Calendula officinalis) is the primary homeopathic remedy for wounds. An
antiseptic, it is used topically as a succus (juice), tea, or salve. Another
naturally occurring antiseptic is tea tree oil (Melaleuca spp.), which can be
mixed with water for cleaning wounds. Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) can be applied
topically to soothe skin during healing. When wounds affect the nerves,
especially in the arms and legs, St.-John's-wort (Hypericum perforatum) can be
helpful when taken internally or applied topically. Acupuncture can help
support the healing process by restoring the energy flow in the meridians that
have been affected by the wound. In some cases, vitamin E taken orally or
applied topically can speed healing and prevent scarring.
Source: Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, Published December, 2002 by the Gale
Group
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
Prev Message
