A common mistake when suturing
wounds is to make the stitches
too shallow. If the wound is not
completely closed inside, it heals
more slowly and is more likely to
become infected.
WRONG
11-11
RIGHT
EVEN MORE APPROPRIATE
Unfortunately, the rubber glove
teaching aid does not let students
practice deep suturing. A better teaching
aid for this can be made by wrapping a
piece of foam rubber or thick felt around
someone’s arm. Make a deep cut in the
foam and color it red.
Foam rubber helps students
learn how deep to sew stitches.
Students will learn even better if
they can practice on real wounds. It is,
of course, best if they do not practice
on people until they have gained some
skill. Try to use freshly killed animals—
especially pigs.
(In the Philippines, health workers
make cuts and practice suturing on
live dogs. But this also teaches them
that cruelty can sometimes be justified.
Do you think this is right?)
STILL MORE APPROPRIATE
Students practice closing a wound
on a dead pig.
MOST APPROPRIATE (after learning the skill through other practice)
After students have had plenty of
practice, they should be given every
opportunity to close real human
wounds—even if this sometimes means
interrupting a class.
In this photo, student health workers
are helping to close the head wound of a
boy hit by a rock.
(Ajoya, Mexico)