September/October ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 5
Zipper Injuries
It was a beautiful summer day, and the group had just finished a refreshing swim in a mountain lake. Folks were off getting dried and changing into dry clothing with anticipation of fresh grilled fish for dinner when the wilderness was pierced by a loud yelp. As it turns out, one of the young men was getting dressed. In his haste he managed to snag, trap, snare, ensnarl, clamp, and pinch some of the skin on his penis in his zipper. OUCH!
What on earth in this instance are you going to do? What can you do? First of all, you have a young man who is in a considerable amount of pain and embarrassed beyond belief. This is one of those situations where the pain is only exceeded by the total humiliation.
Your mountain rescue team receives a call from dispatch around 4pm requesting that your team respond to a canyon area for a report of an injured hiker. The area is out of cell phone range. A member of the injured hiker’s party hiked for 2 hours to get to an area with cell phone reception. He reported that his friend, AJ, slipped and fell 100’ down a steep slope and was complaining of left lower leg and lower back pain. He left AJ with 2 other friends and came out to get help.
The hiking group is on a distant trail that switchbacks up a steep canyon wall for approximately 2 miles. It is estimated that they are 6 miles from the trailhead and response time will be at least 3 hours.
July/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
By Frank Hubbell, DO
Cestoda –
Hymenolepis:
This is the scientific taxomony for the Class Cestoda – tapeworms. In previous issues of the WMNL, we have discussed the Taenia and Echinococcus tapeworms. In this edition we will explore the Hymenolepidiae tapeworms.
July/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
My Knife
By Frank Hubbell, DO
One of the more common expedition problems is the minor wound that is caused by the handling and mishandling of knives. Knives are an essential part of the outdoor experience. They have many important uses, and they come in a variety of styles. There is no one knife that will do everything.
This article is not about the wounds caused by knives; instead, it is a little bit of knowledge about knives themselves: the basic types and uses and some hints that may help to minimize wounds caused by these ubiquitous tools.
Common types of knives used in the wilderness setting are fixed blade knives, pocket or folding blade knives, and pocket tool knives. Read more
July/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
Epsom Salts – MgSO4
By Frank Hubbell, DO
What is Epsom Salts?
Epsom salts consists of magnesium sulfate, MgSO4, simply magnesium plus sulfate. The name comes from the town of Epsom in England, where the mineral was originally distilled from the water of springs that came up through the porous chalk in the area.
Epsom salts is a readily available, over-the-counter, inexpensive compound with a variety of medicinal uses. In this particular article we will focus on its usefulness in treating skin infections like cellulitis. Read more
July/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
Removing a Splinter from Under a Fingernail
By Frank Hubbell, DO
Illustrations By T.B.R. Walsh
Ouch, dang it!
You have managed to hook a piece of wood under your fingernail, and in the process a splinter is now firmly lodged there. OUCH! The discomfort is quite remarkable for such a small torture device. In fact, it is almost nauseating. And even worse, if the splinter or any part of it remains under the fingernail, it will very likely turn into a very nasty and even more painful infection.
You closely examine the injury. Through the fingernail you can see the dark line of wood that runs three quarters of the way up under the nail. There is a small piece of the splinter just barely protruding out from under the nail. With great care you gently grab the stub and pull. To your absolute horror, it breaks off, leaving you with no hope of easily extracting the splinter. Now what do you do?
https://www.wildernessmedicinenewsletter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/wmnlogo20151.png00WMN Editorshttps://www.wildernessmedicinenewsletter.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/wmnlogo20151.pngWMN Editors2011-07-11 14:46:592011-12-12 19:54:39Removing a Splinter from Under a Fingernail
Zipper Injuries
/in prevention, Soft Tissue/by WMN EditorsSeptember/October ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 5
Zipper Injuries
It was a beautiful summer day, and the group had just finished a refreshing swim in a mountain lake. Folks were off getting dried and changing into dry clothing with anticipation of fresh grilled fish for dinner when the wilderness was pierced by a loud yelp. As it turns out, one of the young men was getting dressed. In his haste he managed to snag, trap, snare, ensnarl, clamp, and pinch some of the skin on his penis in his zipper. OUCH!
What on earth in this instance are you going to do? What can you do? First of all, you have a young man who is in a considerable amount of pain and embarrassed beyond belief. This is one of those situations where the pain is only exceeded by the total humiliation.
Read more
SHOCK
/in Shock, Trauma/by WMN EditorsYour mountain rescue team receives a call from dispatch around 4pm requesting that your team respond to a canyon area for a report of an injured hiker. The area is out of cell phone range. A member of the injured hiker’s party hiked for 2 hours to get to an area with cell phone reception. He reported that his friend, AJ, slipped and fell 100’ down a steep slope and was complaining of left lower leg and lower back pain. He left AJ with 2 other friends and came out to get help.
The hiking group is on a distant trail that switchbacks up a steep canyon wall for approximately 2 miles. It is estimated that they are 6 miles from the trailhead and response time will be at least 3 hours.
ISSN-1059-6518
Read more
CESTODA – HYMENOLEPIS
/in Digestive problems, Infection, Parasites/by WMN EditorsJuly/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
By Frank Hubbell, DO
Cestoda –
Hymenolepis:
This is the scientific taxomony for the Class Cestoda – tapeworms. In previous issues of the WMNL, we have discussed the Taenia and Echinococcus tapeworms. In this edition we will explore the Hymenolepidiae tapeworms.
Read more
My Knife
/in Rescue Training, Survival/by WMN EditorsJuly/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
My Knife
By Frank Hubbell, DO
One of the more common expedition problems is the minor wound that is caused by the handling and mishandling of knives. Knives are an essential part of the outdoor experience. They have many important uses, and they come in a variety of styles. There is no one knife that will do everything.
This article is not about the wounds caused by knives; instead, it is a little bit of knowledge about knives themselves: the basic types and uses and some hints that may help to minimize wounds caused by these ubiquitous tools.
Common types of knives used in the wilderness setting are fixed blade knives, pocket or folding blade knives, and pocket tool knives. Read more
Epsom Salts
/in Infection, Laxatives, Medications, OTC, Skin, Soft Tissue, Treatment/by WMN EditorsJuly/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
Epsom Salts – MgSO4
By Frank Hubbell, DO
What is Epsom Salts?
Epsom salts consists of magnesium sulfate, MgSO4, simply magnesium plus sulfate. The name comes from the town of Epsom in England, where the mineral was originally distilled from the water of springs that came up through the porous chalk in the area.
Epsom salts is a readily available, over-the-counter, inexpensive compound with a variety of medicinal uses. In this particular article we will focus on its usefulness in treating skin infections like cellulitis. Read more
Removing a Splinter from Under a Fingernail
/in hands, Treatment/by WMN EditorsJuly/August 2011 ISSN-1059-6518 Volume 24 Number 4
Removing a Splinter from Under a Fingernail
By Frank Hubbell, DO
Illustrations By T.B.R. Walsh
Ouch, dang it!
You have managed to hook a piece of wood under your fingernail, and in the process a splinter is now firmly lodged there. OUCH! The discomfort is quite remarkable for such a small torture device. In fact, it is almost nauseating. And even worse, if the splinter or any part of it remains under the fingernail, it will very likely turn into a very nasty and even more painful infection.
You closely examine the injury. Through the fingernail you can see the dark line of wood that runs three quarters of the way up under the nail. There is a small piece of the splinter just barely protruding out from under the nail. With great care you gently grab the stub and pull. To your absolute horror, it breaks off, leaving you with no hope of easily extracting the splinter. Now what do you do?
Read more