Care of the injured and sick. The use of leeches

FUNDAMENTALS OF FIRST AID
Free library / Directory / Fundamentals of First Aid

Care of the injured and sick. The use of leeches

Fundamentals of First Aid (OPMP)

Medicinal leeches used for medicinal purposes. The length of the leech reaches 10-12 cm, the body is olive green. The leech has mouth and tail suckers. In the depths of the oral cavity there are three jaws, equipped with sharp teeth, with which the leech bites through the skin. The salivary glands, the excretory ducts of which open between the teeth, secrete a special substance - gerudin, which prevents blood clotting.

Each leech sucks 1-10 ml of blood within 15 hour. Leeches breathe through their skin, and they need oxygen to breathe. They are stored in wide-mouthed glass jars, up to half filled with river water. Banks are closed with gauze and tightly tied. Water is changed once a day, the jar is washed from mucus every time. You can also use tap water, but it is defended for a day so that it is freed from chlorine and reaches room temperature.

Only benign leeches are used and used once. 4-8 leeches are taken at one time. They are placed for hypertension (on the region of the mastoid processes, retreating 1 cm from the auricle), with angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (on the region of the heart in the third and fifth intercostal space, retreating 1 cm from the sternum), with thrombophlebitis (along the vein, retreating from it on both sides by 1 cm, with intervals between leeches 5-6 cm), with congestion in the liver (on the area of the right hypochondrium), with hemorrhoids (on the coccyx area).

In diseases with a tendency to bleeding, anemia, in the treatment of anticoagulants (heparin, dicoumarin, sincumar, phenylin), the use of leeches is contraindicated.

Leeches are selected by hand into a small vessel - a few pieces more than required by the doctor's prescription. You should first prepare: a vessel with hot water, a bottle of ethyl alcohol, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, sterile tweezers, a kidney-shaped tray, cotton balls, napkins, cotton sticks, dressings.

The patient during the procedure is in a position convenient for him: sitting or lying down. The patient's skin is wiped 2-3 times with sterile cotton wool soaked in hot boiled water: this is how the skin is cleaned of dirt and sweat, and hyperemia appears, and the leeches willingly stick. After treating the skin, the leech is grabbed near the head with fingers or tweezers, applied to the prepared area of the body and waiting for it to suck. You can put several leeches in a test tube or a glass cup. As soon as the leech sucks, you should put a gauze napkin under its tail sucker.

Leeches suck up blood in 20-60 minutes, after which they fall off on their own.

Wounds from leech bites bleed from 6 to 25 hours: from 10 to 40 ml of blood flows from each wound. After the leeches fall off, a dry sterile bandage is applied to the skin for one day. If the bandage gets wet, cotton wool is placed on top of it and bandaged. If after a day the bleeding does not stop, it is stopped by the use of hydrogen peroxide or the application of a sterile pressure bandage. Leeches can be reapplied after a few days.

Complications after the use of leeches include itching and suppuration resulting from contamination of wounds during and after the procedure. There may be prolonged bleeding with an incorrectly chosen site for applying leeches. You can not put a leech on the skin over a large blood vessel, as it can bite through the wall of the vessel, which leads to profuse bleeding.

Authors: Aizman R.I., Krivoshchekov S.G.

We recommend interesting articles Section Fundamentals of First Aid:

▪ Iron deficiency anemia (anemia)

▪ Nausea and vomiting

▪ Poisoning in children

See other articles Section Fundamentals of First Aid.

Read and write useful comments on this article.

<< Back

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

Artificial leather for touch emulation 15.04.2024

In a modern technology world where distance is becoming increasingly commonplace, maintaining connection and a sense of closeness is important. Recent developments in artificial skin by German scientists from Saarland University represent a new era in virtual interactions. German researchers from Saarland University have developed ultra-thin films that can transmit the sensation of touch over a distance. This cutting-edge technology provides new opportunities for virtual communication, especially for those who find themselves far from their loved ones. The ultra-thin films developed by the researchers, just 50 micrometers thick, can be integrated into textiles and worn like a second skin. These films act as sensors that recognize tactile signals from mom or dad, and as actuators that transmit these movements to the baby. Parents' touch to the fabric activates sensors that react to pressure and deform the ultra-thin film. This ... >>

Petgugu Global cat litter 15.04.2024

Taking care of pets can often be a challenge, especially when it comes to keeping your home clean. A new interesting solution from the Petgugu Global startup has been presented, which will make life easier for cat owners and help them keep their home perfectly clean and tidy. Startup Petgugu Global has unveiled a unique cat toilet that can automatically flush feces, keeping your home clean and fresh. This innovative device is equipped with various smart sensors that monitor your pet's toilet activity and activate to automatically clean after use. The device connects to the sewer system and ensures efficient waste removal without the need for intervention from the owner. Additionally, the toilet has a large flushable storage capacity, making it ideal for multi-cat households. The Petgugu cat litter bowl is designed for use with water-soluble litters and offers a range of additional ... >>

The attractiveness of caring men 14.04.2024

The stereotype that women prefer "bad boys" has long been widespread. However, recent research conducted by British scientists from Monash University offers a new perspective on this issue. They looked at how women responded to men's emotional responsibility and willingness to help others. The study's findings could change our understanding of what makes men attractive to women. A study conducted by scientists from Monash University leads to new findings about men's attractiveness to women. In the experiment, women were shown photographs of men with brief stories about their behavior in various situations, including their reaction to an encounter with a homeless person. Some of the men ignored the homeless man, while others helped him, such as buying him food. A study found that men who showed empathy and kindness were more attractive to women compared to men who showed empathy and kindness. ... >>

Random news from the Archive

These children are in our livers 10.08.2002

As a group of Italian researchers from the University of Milan showed, it is possible to detect the DNA of her son in the blood of a mother, even if he was born decades ago.

Previously, it was known that the cells of the child can be stored in the mother's body for several decades. They remain in the lymph nodes, liver, spleen and muscle tissue. Of the 160 women with at least one son and examined by Italian scientists, 30 had DNA fragments from the Y chromosome, which is found only in men, in their blood.

Scientists suggest that the son's cells, left somewhere in the mother's body, gradually decay, throwing their hereditary material into the blood.

Other interesting news:

▪ Prosthetic hand sense of touch

▪ The desire to hug is in women's genes.

▪ Logitech G604 Lightspeed Gaming Mouse

▪ Airplanes are thrown here

▪ carbon dioxide glass

News feed of science and technology, new electronics

Interesting materials of the Free Technical Library:

▪ section of the site Audio Art. Article selection

▪ Nemesis article. Popular expression

▪ article What do molluscs eat? Detailed answer

▪ Article Tomato. Legends, cultivation, methods of application

▪ article Portable electric spot welding machine. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

▪ article Powerful switching regulator with high efficiency, 8-16/5 volts 10 amps. Encyclopedia of radio electronics and electrical engineering

Leave your comment on this article:

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews