92 Where There Is No Doctor 2011
Deep Wounds in the Abdomen
Any wound that goes into the belly or gut is dangerous. Seek medical help
immediately. But in the meantime:
Cover the wound with a clean bandage.
If the guts are partly outside the wound, cover
them with a clean cloth soaked in lightly salted,
cool, boiled water. Do not try to push the guts
back in. Make sure the cloth stays wet.
If the wounded person is in
shock, raise his feet higher
than his head.
Give absolutely nothing by mouth: no food, no
drink, not even water—unless it will take more than
2 days to get to a health center. Then give water
only, in small sips.
If the wounded person is awake and thirsty, let him
suck on a piece of cloth soaked in water.
Never give an enema, even if the belly swells up
or the injured person does not move his bowels
for days. If the gut is torn, an enema or purge can
kill him.
Inject antibiotics (see the following
page for instructions).
DO NOT WAIT FOR A HEALTH
WORKER.
IMMEDIATELY TAKE THE
INJURED PERSON TO THE
CLOSEST HEALTH CENTER
OR HOSPITAL. He will need an
operation.