Every house needs a first aid box. It should be big enough to hold the things that you require and should be kept in an easily accessible place in the house. The following are essential:

• Cotton wool
• Gauze
• Bandages (5cm. Of 2 inch wide bandages are the most useful size) Lint (clean, boiled linen will do)
• Elastic adhesive dressing
• Scissors
• Snake-bite outfit
• Thermometer
• Aspirin tablets
• Some antiseptic ointment
• Disinfectant

Calamine lotion for sun-burn and skin irritation.

Shock

In bad accidents, the child may go into a shock, either because of loss of blood or as a result of excessive pain. Shock must be treated first.

Wrap with blanket; if necessary lower the head by raising the foot of the bed. A hot water bottle may be placed over or alongside the blanket. Give a cup of hot tea or coffee or milk. Allow the baby to go to sleep. Ensure absolute quiet.

Snake bite

There are many types of snakes found in India - not all the poisonous. Treat snakebites as follows:

Apply a tourniquet midway between the teeth mark and the heart. A twisted handkerchief or waist belt or a piece of string will serve in an emergency. In order to tighten tourniquet slip a stick under the knot and twist. By applying a tourniquet the poison is prevented from circuiting the rest of the body.

With a sharp clean knife make a few cuts across the teeth mark under the skin, allowing the blood to flow freely. Rub potassium permanganate crystal into the wound. Treat the patient for shock and send for your doctor at once.

Keep the tourniquet tightly for half an hour. Loosen it then for a minute and re-tighten.

If the snake has been killed, show it to the doctor who will be able to decide whether it is a poisonous one.

Broken bones

A broken bone will lead to severe pain. If you suspect a fracture, apply a wooden splint, to prevent excessive pain and displacement of the broken ends of the bone. Send for your doctor.

Cuts and scratches

All cuts and scratches must be immediately cleaned with an antiseptic lotion and a dry dressing must be put on them. Cover with either a bandage or an adhesive dressing.

Bleeding

If as a result of an injury, bleeding occurs, try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure at the nearest pressure point. (A first aid book will tell you where such points are situated. By one and keep it handy) As a rule, most bleeding will stop if you apply a firm bandage over it.

Burns

In all cases of burns and scalds, if the affected area is large the child must be immediately shifted to a hospital or taken to a doctor. Give the baby plenty of water to drink and treat him for shock. Minor degree burns will heal soon if you prevent infection by covering them with a sterile bandage.

Heat stroke

A heat stroke usually occur on a very hot day, especially if the child has been outdoors in the sun for a long time. Put him to bed, give him a tablet of aspirin, and place an ice bag on his head. Give plenty of fluids by month. If possible increase the intake of common salt is the food.

Poisoning

Poisoning can occur as a result of the intake of an acid, alkali or a narcotic drug. In the case of acid or alkali poisoning, it is best not to make the patient vomit. For acid poisons, give soda bicarbonate by month, and olive oil or powder chalk in warm water.

In the case of alkali poisoning, give oil or egg-white, preceded by a little vinegar and water.

If the child accidentally swallows sleeping tablets, he will become very drowsy. Make the child vomit as soon as possible. A table spoonful of salt or mustard in warm water or tickling the back of the throat with a finger will provoke vomiting. Keep him awake by giving him hot coffee. Send for your doctor immediately. In all cased of poisoning proper treatment will save the child's life.