A breach produced in the tissues of the body by direct injury. An extensive injury of the deeper parts without corresponding breach of the surface is known as a bruise or contusion.
These are classified according to the immediate effect produced:
are usually inflicted with a sharp instrument, and are clean cuts, in which the tissues are simply divided without any damage to surrounding parts, for example incurred at the time of surgery being undertaken. The bleeding from such a wound is apt to be free, but can be readily controlled by pressure.
or stabs, are inflicted with a pointed instrument. These wounds are dangerous because their depth involves the danger of wounding vital organs, the bleeding is hard to control, and they are likely to become infected.
are those in which tissues are torn, such as injuries caused by machinery. Little bleeding may occur and a limb can be torn completely away without great loss of blood. Such wounds are, however, especially liable to infection.
are those accompanied by much bruising of surrounding parts, as in the case of a blow from a cudgel or poker. There is little bleeding, but healing is slow on account of damage to the edges of the wound. Any of these varieties may become infected.
The first aim is to check any bleeding. This may be done by pressure upon the edges of the wound with a clean handkerchief or, if the bleeding is serious, by putting the finger in the wound and pressing it upon the spot from which the blood is coming.
If medical attention is available within a few hours, a wound should not be interfered with further than is necessary to stop the bleeding and to cover it with a clean dry handkerchief or bandage. When expert assistance is not soon obtainable, the wound should be cleaned with an antiseptic such as CHLORHEXIDINE or cooled boiled water and the injured part fixed so that movement is prevented or minimised. A wounded hand or arm is fixed with a SLING, a wounded leg with a splint (see SPLINTS). If the victim is in SHOCK, he or she must be treated for that. (See also APPENDIX 1: BASIC FIRST AID.)