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First Aid by the Lady of the House - Management of Common Illnesses
at Household Level and Self care
Dr Sonu Goel and Dr AJ Singh
School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh
We often suffer from minor diseases in day-to-day life, 80% of which can be
treated by ourselves. There is no need of doctors or high priced medicines to cure these
diseases. Remaining 20% of diseases must be tackled primarily by taking simple first aid
measures by us before reaching a doctor because it may take time to reach the doctor.
First aid is the initial and immediate care given to a victim outside hospital environment
with a purpose of assuring life and preventing worsening conditions until he/she receives
qualified assistance1. If we take simple treatment along with proper rest and balanced
diet, the body can itself fight against the disease. This approach will also help to enhance
the self healing power of the body.
Household injuries are also quite common all over the world e.g., fall, burns, bites, sting
and poisoning etc. People usually ignore such injuries. Some of them get secondarily
infected mainly due to lack of proper first aid or due to incorrect initial management. In
various studies conducted in India and abroad, it was revealed that level of knowledge
regarding various commonly occurring injuries and illnesses was poor among the
respondents2-7. Further, many studies cited wrong practices prevailing among the
respondents - for example, spice/ chilly application for dog bite, use of kerosene oil,
mobile oil, mustard oil and urine for injury management etc4. Local application of alum,
vinegar, wine, honey, mud, and leaves has also been reported in some countries2.
Therefore, every member of the society, particularly women should be aware of
some of the basic things of first aid. Before reaching to the doctor, some treatment can be
started at home or village so as to prevent the condition from becoming worse. A woman
can be one the most appropriate health care provider at home as she has to render care to
her husband, children, and elders and even to themselves during common illnesses.
Moreover, most of self care things apply to women (housewives) as they are available at
home most of the times.
Empowering the women of the society in tendering care to a patient at home can increase
their status at home. They have a potential for changing the health scenario of the society,
if properly groomed and educated for healthful living. They can be provided with first aid
kits and trained to handle emergencies like burns, accidents and fevers and to even
prescribe basic medicines. For optimum success of this approach, it is essential that they
possess adequate knowledge about management of commonly occurring injuries and
illnesses. Various wrong practices and myths associated with illnesses and injuries have
also been reported in the society. Provision of knowledge about correct management of
injuries and illnesses to the women is a sound and logical investment. First, it will
improve their health knowledge, which in turn will help them to lead healthy life.
Second, such empowered women could be effectively used as change agents in the family
and community.
We have tried to compile do’s and don’ts for certain commonly occurring
illnesses in this article. Besides this, guidelines have been provided as to ‘when to go to
the doctor’ and ‘what should be done till reaching the doctor’. This incorporates
traditional as well as scientific approach to tackle common illness and injuries in a simple
language, which can be understood by everyone including a housewife. This text will be
especially useful for the women, who live far off from health centers where no specialist
doctor is present and who want to do something for the health of their family members.
This text can be used as a reference for treating somebody at home till one reaches to a
doctor. However, it should be remembered that this text is not a complete doctor’s
manual.
References 1) Guidelines for First Aid. American Heart Association and American National Red
Cross Society 2005;112:196-203.
2) Singh AJ, Kaur A. Minor injuries in ninth class school children of Chandigarh and
rural Haryana. Indian Pediatr 1996;33:25-30
3) Nath SR, Mohsin M, Chowdhury AM. Health knowledge of children in Bangladesh:
an exploratory study. Public Health. 1997; 111 (5): 311-5.
4) Singh AJ, Kaur A. Knowledge & practices of urban and rural high school children
regarding minor injuries. Indian J Public Health. 1995 Jan-Mar;39(1):23-5.
5) Kyawt-Kyawt-Swe, Pearson A. Knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to
malaria control in an endemic rural area of Myanmar. Southeast Asian J Trop Med
Public Health 2004;35:53-62.
6) Goel S, Singh A. Health awareness of high school students. Indian J Community Med
2007;32:192-4
7) Goel S, Singh AJ. Comparative Impact of Two Training Packages on Awareness and
Practices of First Aid for Injuries and Common Illnesses among High School
Students in India. International Electronic Journal of Health Education, 2008; 11: 6980
8) Rao S. C. N. Sociology of Indian Society. (Publishers- S. Chand & Company, New
Delhi)
FEVER
Dangers:
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If fever is high (1050 F), then it can effect brain which can even lead to convulsions
or death.
If fever is accompanied with chills and rigors then it can be MALARIA.
If fever is associated with skin rashes and maculo-papular lesions then it can be
because CHICKEN POX or MEASLES.
If mild fever is associated with cough (> 3weeks), then it can be T.B.
What to do?
To prevent dangerous effects of rise in temperature due to fever it is necessary to bring
down the temperature
 Don’t cover the patient with blankets and clothes.
 If the temperature is high then cold sponging of whole body is required. Don’t use
ice-cold water.
 Soak the cloth in water and after squeezing, apply it over whole body at short
intervals till the temperature of the body decrease or comes to normal.
 Take a tablet of paracetamol with water. Table should be taken after meals.
 Paracetamol can be taken every 6 hourly.
 Fever can lead to dehydration, hence increase liquid intake by taking water, lime juice
etc. This also helps to bring the temperature down.
 If fever continues for more than 1 day and the fever is associated with convulsions,
contact the doctor.
Myth: Cold sponging should be done only on forehead.
Reality: - Cold sponging should be done
This will lower fever rapidly and will also provide relief to patient.
Always Remember –
 Fever becomes dangerous due to rise in temperature, hence it is to be taken seriously
and need to be brought down as soon as possible.
 Cold sponging can bring down the temperature. Give Paracetamol only when the
temperature has been brought down by cold sponging.
SORE THROAT, COUGH AND COLD
Danger->
Repeated sore throats can lead to heart involvement.
What to do?
 Dissolve 1 spoon of salt in 1 glass of water and do gargles with it 2-3 times a day.
 Lot of liquid food should be taken. Tea, soup and lukewarm water should be
consumed.
 Don’t eat sour and fried foodstuff.
 Don’t drink cold water.
 Drinking tea containing lemon, honey, ginger, tulsi or pepper soothens the throat.
 Mix equal amount of lemon and ginger juice. Mix this with double the amount of
honey. Make one such bottle and take one spoon two to three times a day. It will give
relief.
 Boil bitter-gourd in 1 glass of water and add lemon and honey to it. Drink it 3-4 times
a day.
 Add ¼ spoon of salt in one glass of water (Boiled and then cooled). Take this water in
your hand and inhale it. Clean the nose thereafter; this will open the blocked nose. Do
it 3-4 times a day.
 Boil leaves of eucalyptus in water for half an hour. Strain and add sugar according to
taste. Take some amount of it 3-4 times a day. You can also take stream of this water.
It will open blocked nose and throat.
 You can eat Orange, Guava and other fruits. This can also benefit in fever and cold.
 Inhale stream from hot water. Boil water in a utensil on floor or stool. Keep face at a
distance of 1 foot from the utensil. Cover the face and utensil with a cloth (bed sheet,
shawl etc) and inhale stream through nose for 5-10 minute keeping the head covered
with the cloth. Don’t switch on fan and cooler upto 15 minutes after stream
inhalation.
Precautions 
 Don’t keep hot water utensil on your lap or bed as it can lead to spillage of water and
lead to burns.
 Take rest at home.
Certain things to remember >>>
 Don’t consume cold, fried or sour things.
 Don’t smoke.
 Cover your mouth with cloth while coughing.
Contact Doctor when >>
 Sore throat persists for greater than a week.
 There is difficulty in breathing
 There is problem or pain while in taking food.
 There is pain on opening of mouth.
 There is earache.
 Sore throat is accompanied by high fever, rash on body, and joint pain
 There is recurrent sore throat
 Cough is accompanied by haemoptysis (blood in sputum)
Always remember >>
 Cold, mild cough does not require any medication. Household remedies are sufficient.
HEADACHE
Things to do
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If headache occur after exertion, traveling or after walk then it just take rest. It will be
relieved soon. Don’t take medicine unnecessarily.
Headache can occur due to defective vision. Consult eye specialist.
Even common cold can cause headache.
Get your blood- pressure checked.
If headache is not relieved, take paracetamol or Ibuprofen with water after meal.
Do hot fomentations at the back of the neck with cloth soaked in lukewarm water.
If headache is only on half side of head, is severe and is accompanied with nausea or
vomiting, it can be migraine. Take tea/ coffee with a tablet of Ibuprofen and take rest.
If headache is not relieved contact a doctor.
TOOTHACHE
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Chew cloves or mango leaves, it will relieve pain.
Saline gargling with luke warm water should be done.
Take a tablet of paracetamol and brufen after meals.
Brush your teeth properly for at least 2-3 minutes and rinse the mouth with saline
water.
Contact a dentist if you have swelling in gums, pus discharge or caries. Always
RememberIf toothpaste is not available then you can use equal mixture of common salt and
baking salt.
BACKACHE
Causes1. Main reason for backache is postural defect while standing, sitting or sleeping.
2. If backache is increased with lifting of heavy weight, it can be sprain.
3. Severe sudden backache, after lifting heavy weight can be due to slipped disc.
4.
If backache radiates to foot and is associated with numbness, then suspect
compression of spinal nerves.
5. In elderly, arthritis is the main cause of backache.
6. Gall bladder disease can cause backache.
7. If backache is associated with burning sensation or pain during passing urine,
suspect kidney involvement.
8. Women get lower backache during menstruation.
9. Pain in upper back with cough and weight loss can be T.B.
10. If there is swelling or mass with pain along the backache, it can be T.B.
What to Do?
Mostly backache is due to faulty posture, so sit with the back straight and sleep
straight on hard bed.
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Pain due to faulty posture, menses or sprain can be relieved by paracetamol or
aspirin,
to be taken 3 times a day for 2 days, after meals. Take adequate rest.

Hot fomentation of back can be done.
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Stand straight.
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Sleep straight on a hard bed or floor.

If backache is due to sprain, do not exercise.

If backache is due to TB / gall bladder disease or kidney disease contact a doctor.
Beware :  Don’t massage.
 Don’t go to QUACKS.
LOOSE MOTIONS
DangerLoose motions can lead to dehydration or loss of consciousness.
It is more dangerous for children and elderly.
Thing to do!
 The first thing required is increase of fluid requirement of patient by giving any fluid
(preferably salty-sugar mix lime juice) to patient repeatedly. If lemon is not available
give 1 glass of boiled and cooked water containing pinch of salt and one spoon of
sugar to patient after regular intervals. Honey or glucose powder can also be used
instead of sugar in lime juice.
 If ORS packet is available then dissolve 1 packet of ORS in 5 liters of boiled and
cooled water. Give it to the patient after short intervals. Don’t keep this mixture for
more than 24 hrs and prepare fresh ORS next day. Don’t give ORS in bottle. Give this
solution till vomiting and diahorrhea are controlled.
ORS packet is available free of cost in Hospital or dispensary.
Remember:
 Don’t prepare ORS by adding 1 spoon of mixture in a glass of water as this doesn’t
provide right amount of electrolytes to body.
 Give semisolid or liquid food stuff (tea, pulse, rice water, khichdi, banana etc.)
 Don’t stop feeding the child.
 Wash hands with soap on having loose motions.
* Till patient reaches the doctor keep giving him lime juice or ORS.
Consult doctor when >>.
 Patient becomes unconscious
 If vomiting/ diahorrhea is severe and doesn’t stop after 2 days.
 If loose motions occur after eating outside.
 If loose motions are associated with vomiting and abdominal cramps.
 If there is discharge of blood, pus or mucus in feces over whole body.
HEAT STROKE
Working in a hot condition for long time in summers leads to excessive sweating
due to which, muscles of hands and abdomen become rigid and the person feels fatigued.
This may lead to heat syncope or fainting, which can affect patient’s brain (Heat stroke)
If there is heat stroke, the patient feels warm and his pulse increases.
What to do ->
 Take the patient to some shady area
 Do cold sponging on whole body.
 Mix 1 teaspoon full of salt in 1 liter water and give it to the patient to drink.( You can
add 5 spoons of sugar/lemon to it.)
 Fan the patient.
Prevention ->
 Don’t roam /walk in summer unnecessary.
 Cover the head with cloth, while working in heat.
 Before going out, wear cotton clothes with loose sleeves.
 Drink a glass of lemon water (salty) before going out in summer.
 Take a water bottle of water with you and keep on drinking at intervals.
 Raw onion also protects from heat stroke.
Remember ->
 To avoid heat cramps and exhaustion drink lots of salty water before going outside.
 If heat stroke and syncope occurs, decrease the body temperature.
When to go to doctor
 Patient becomes unconscious.
 The body temperature does not decrease even after 24 hrs despite taking all the
abovementioned measures.
HONEY BEE, SCORPION, WASP, INSECT BITE
In any of the above bites, pain, swelling, redness etc can occur at the site of bite.
Scorpion bite can even lead to death.
Self care of these bites  Pull out the sting as early as possible. This can be done by a clean needle, steel
bangle, key or any other item.This is the most crucial intervention.Early removal of
sting can substantially reduce the suffering.
 Clean the wound with water and apply ice over it.
 Take avil/ citrazine tablet for swelling and redness.
 Take aspirin/ brufen for pain.
 At the site of bee sting, apply lemon juice and apply vinegar if it is wasp bite.
 Baking soda /Tamarind water can be used on the site of bite.
 At site of scorpion bite, rub a piece of onion. This will reduce pain.
 Give mouth to mouth respiration if respiration stops.
 If patient becomes unconscious then deal with it. (referral)
Danger->

The bite may lead to swollen/ pus formation at the site which may further lead to
spread of poison in body. If it occurs then go to doctor.
Remember->
If the beehive some how breaks off and the bees swarm around you then,the best
approach is to lie on ground face down to protect yourself.
SNAKE BITE
Snake bite can lead to death. Immediately rush to a doctor.
What to do?
Before going to a doctor take care of following things Make the patient lie in supine position and let him/her relax.
 Don’t allow him/her to move body parts.
 Wash the bitten site with soap and water till froth comes out.
 Do cold sponging of the bitten area.
 Tie a cloth just about 2-3 inches proximal to the bitten site to prevent the spreading of
poison (see method below).
 Take aspirin/ brufen tablet for pain.
Note->
Tie the cloth bandage in such a way that a finger can be passed underneath it.
 Change the bandage after every ½ an hour.
 If after tying the bandage there is swelling/ bluishness of the body part or patient is
unable to move his fingers, quickly remove the bandage.
 If the patient’s breathing stops, do mouth-to-mouth respiration.
 If the patient’s pulse stops, then press his chest.
What not to do?
 Don’t apply ice for long time over the site.
 Don’t tie bandage very tightly.
 Don’t cut the bitten site.
 Don’t suck the poison by mouth.
DOG BITE (OR BY ANY OTHER ANIMAL)
If any animal (dog, monkey, cat etc) bites a human being ( especially a mad dog ) it can
lead to RABIES which is a deadly disease. But we can prevent it.
What to do?
 Most important thing is to wash the wound with soap till froth comes out, if there is
no soap, wash with clean running water.
 Immediately take him to the hospital, there he can get free dog bite injection.
 Anti-tetanus injection is to be given.
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Don’t use salt, pepper, spices on wound. It may further damage it.
Don’t stitch the wound.
Injections are also available on medical stores which can be injected on arm, which
are more effective and less harmful.
Don’t drink alcohol during the course of injections.
Note->
 If the dog dies within 10 days after biting then complete the full course of of 3-7
injections (and for any animal bite).
Remember-->
 If we wash dog bite’s wound thoroughly and immediately, it decreases rabies danger
substantially.
NOSE BLEEDING
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Allow the patient sit in cool and shaded place.
Don’t allow overcrowding around the patient. Allow air flow.
Bend the patient’s face forward.
Ask him to breathe from mouth.
Press the nose with fingers for 5 minutes. The blood will stop automatically.
Give some cold drink to patient.
Put some ice pack or cold sponging on his/her nose.
If bleeding does not stop by above measures, go to doctor.
If the nose bleeding occurs repeatedly, then apply Vaseline on the nostrils (both) from
inside or wash with salty water.
Take more orange, tomato and other fruits as they give strength to the blood vessels
of nose.
Don’t scratch/pick on it, as nose bleeding will start again.
Beware->
 Don’t bend patient’s head backwards; it leads to flowing of blood inside the throat.
 Don’t put anything in nose.
 Don’t blow the nose or sneeze.
BONE FRACTURE
Bone fracture leads to severe pain. There can be swelling on site of fracture and this may
lead to loss of movement of that joint.
 If there is any doubt of bone fracture, don’t allow the patient to move the part. For
this, take a piece of wooden piece / magazine / folded newspaper and place it below
the site of fractured bone and wrap bandage/ cloth covering it fully (bandage all
around).
 Cold sponging reduces the swelling if done within 24 hrs of injury.
 An injection of anti-tetanus is given.
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If the bone breaks and comes out of the skin, then don’t try to put it back or align
them perfectly. Clean it neatly with warm water. Cover it with clean cloth/ bandage.
Take paracetamol/ brufen for pain after a light meal.
Consult doctor immediately.
Remember->
 If there is fracture of backbone or neck then excessive movement may lead to
paralysis of limbs. Without much movement, take patient to the doctor. If there is
need to lift the patient then don’t bend neck/waist of patient.
SPRAIN
Sprain too leads to pain and swelling of joint. But patient can be allowed to move the
affected part upto some extent (unlike in bone fracture).
What to do?
 Don’t allow patient to move that part.
 Within 24 hrs of the injury, dip the part in cold water or apply ice.
 If more than 24 hrs has been passed, dip the affected part in lukewarm water or apply
warm cloth/ sponging.
 Apply elastic bandage on it, so that no movement occurs in the joint. Don’t tie
bandage tightly, as it leads to swelling of that part.
 Get the bandage loose and re-tie it after every 2 hrs.
 Take paracetamol/ brufen 3-4 times in a day for 2 days.
 If this does not give relief, then go to doctor.
Remember->
 Don’t consult any quack or person who does massage or tries/promises to realign the
bone, as it may further damage the bone or joint.
COAL GAS POISONING
In winter, people keep coal furnace (angithi) inside their closed room and fall asleep,
which leads to formation of carbon monoxide gas which get inside our body during
breathing and ultimately leads to death of person due to choking.
What to do?
 Immediately take the patient in open fresh air.
 Open the door and window so that the gas gets out.
 If the breath stops, then do mouth to mouth respiration.
 This is an emergency, so immediately go to doctor.
Beware->

Never keep coal angithi in closed room, as it is an invitation to death.
POISONING
After taking poisonous substance, the patient may complain of vomiting, loose motion,
stomach ache, difficulty in breathing, seizures, blood with cough etc. The patient may
turn blue and it can cause death.
This is an emergency so take him to a doctor immediately.
Till you reach the doctor remember these thingsWhat to do, if patient is unconsciousness->
 Don’t make him vomit.
 Make him lie on his left side so that if he vomits,it doesn’t go into his air pipe.
 After making the patient lie on his left side, straighten his one leg bend the other leg
at the knee so that it touches to the patient’s stomach.
 Don’t give him any food /water without doctor’s advice.
 If any food has been eaten, then store the food material with care
 If any seizures occur then take appropriate measures.
What to do, if patient is conscious->
 Make the patient vomit by making him drink a glass of water with 2 teaspoon salt
mixed in it. Milk or flour mixed in water may also be used for inducing vomiting.
 Don’t allow patient to vomit if he has taken acid (Dettol, petrol, toilet cleaner etc) or
alkali (white lime etc.), kerosene oil petrol, gasoline etc.
 Give cold water/ coconut water to the patient
Remember->
 Keep poisons out of reach of children and label such bottles as “POISON”.
 Don’t put kerosene oil/acid/sleeping pills tablets, pesticides/ gasoline in juice bottles.
Keep these also out of reach of children.
 Don’t keep any expired medicines at house.
IMPACTION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL IN EAR /NOSE
Don’t try to remove it yourself. Most often smaller objects (dust, toys, rubber, and insect)
get trapped in ear/ nose. If an insect is trapped in the ear it causes pain, redness of ear and
pus from the ear. It can also lead to difficulty in hearing.
What to do?
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If an insect goes into the ear then instill 2 drops of warm mustard/coconut oil in ear.
This may bring the insect outside which may then be removed.
Even after this if the insect doesn’t come out, then consult a doctor.
Consult a doctor if other things are trapped in ear/nose.
OBSTRUCTION OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT
Sometimes children put certain objects (coin, buttons, seeds etc) into their mouth and
they may get trapped in air pipe. Patient’s lips may turn blue, he may become
unconscious and even death may occur due to obstruction in the breathing.
This is an emergency case. Immediately consult a doctor within one hour.
Before going to a doctor, remember following thingsWhat to do?
 If you cannot reach the doctor with in one hour, make the patient incline/ bend
forward and hit his back forcefully with your fist.
Remember
 Don’t make him vomit.
 Until the object remains trapped in his throat, don’t give him anything to eat /drink
without consulting a doctor.
 If the object is large in size, you can pull it out from his throat by using your fingers.
 If the object is small (coin, button, seed, safety pin etc.) and it goes into the stomach,
then it will come out by itself when the patient goes for defecation. There is no need
to take anything (banana etc) for it.
EPILEPTIC SEIZURES
How can fits be dangerous for a patient of epilepsy?
During fits, the patient may
 Get injured
 Bite/ cut his tongue
 Choke
How can this be prevented?
 In most of the patients, the condition improves once the attack subsides.
 Don’t panic if someone gets a seizure in front of you. Simply keep the following the
below mentioned points-
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Make the patient lie at a safe place, where there are no dangerous items (knife, stones,
scissors etc.)
Put a wet handkerchief/cloth between his teeth to avoid biting of tongue. Take out the
cloth if there is any problem in breathing.
Keep calm and don’t let a crowd gather around.
Loosen the patient’s the clothes.
Make the patient lie on his side so that his saliva can come out of his mouth. Else, it
can choke the patient.
Don’t try to stop the fits. It will cease of its own.
Don’t try to put a spoon between his teeth.
During the attack don’t give him anything to eat/drink.
Clean the froth, vomiting, urine or feces, if the patient has passed during attack.
As soon as he regains consciousness, give him reassurance. Give him tea to drink
(with lots of sugar)
Consult a doctor if attacks are frequent.
Remember->
 Epilepsy is not a contagious disease.
 It’s not due to any black magic/curse/evil sprit.
 Don’t make the patient smell shoes, slippers etc.
Precaution->
 Some patients can anticipate an attack before it starts. In such a case, make the patient
lie at a safe place.
 The patient should keep an Identity card.
 I-card should contain patient’s name, address, contact no and guidance for the care to
be taken on attack.
UNCONSCIOUSNESS
If anyone faints or becomes unconscious in your presence then take care of the following
things:
 Make the patient lie down straight in supine position.
 Loosen his clothes.
 Raise his feet a little above the ground (keep a pillow/ cloth beneath them) or raise the
bed at the foot end. This allows the blood to flow to the brain and increases the
possibility of the patient to regain consciousness.
Ensure->
 Whether he is breathing if not. If not, give him mouth to mouth breathing.
 Whether his pulse is beating if not. If not, then press his chest (cardiac massage).
 Whether he is injured or bleeding excessively. If yes, then stop the bleeding.
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Whether his body is warmer than normal. If yes, then do cold sponging.
Check his address/ card and call his relatives.
As soon as possible take him to the doctor.
After the patient regains consciousness, moisten his lips and give him some water to
drink.
Beware
 Don’t give an unconscious person anything to eat/ drink through his mouth.
STOPPING BLEEDING FROM A WOUND
If a patient is bleeding a lot, then he can die due to excessive blood loss. To avoid this, it
is important to stop bleeding. For this, take care of the following things Raise the injured part above the ground to a higher level.
 Apply pressure on the wound by clean cloth until the bleeding stops.
 Wrap a clean cloth over the injury.
 If the bleeding does not stop even after that, then tie a cloth near the wound(not
beyond it but) towards the centre of the body (heart/ chest). The cloth should be tight
enough to stop the bleeding, but not tighter than that. There should be enough gap for
one finger to pass between the cloth and skin. Tying the cloth too tightly can be
dangerous. For this purpose, use cloth only. Avoid thin rope/ wire.
 Make him drink lemon water/ orange juice/ or eat Amla.
Beware->
 Tie the cloth between the injured part and body only when the bleeding does not stop
after the measures suggested above.
 After every half an hour, untie the cloth and tie again.
 Don’t tie the cloth too tightly that the arm/ leg turn blue or fingers become numb.
Take him to the doctor immediately, as he may require stitches.
MOUTH TO MOUTH RESPIRATION
If the patient’s respiration/ breathing stop, then he can die within 4 minutes. To avoid this
mouth to mouth respiration is very important. To check whether the patient is breathing,
keep a finger near the nose or see the movement of the chest.
This is an emergency so take him to the hospital immediately. Till you reach the doctor,
take care of following things:
What to do?

If anything is struck in the mouth, then remove it. If the tongue is struck in the throat,
then pull it out.
 Make the patient lie straight on the floor with face upwards. Hold the patient’s head
and tilt the neck backwards. Open the patient’s mouth fully wide.
 Close the patient’s nostrils with your left hand’s fingers and support his neck by
keeping your right hand beneath it. Keep your mouth on patient’s mouth and
forcefully breathe into his mouth till his chest rises ( expands).
 Repeat this technique 15 times every minute
 Continue this technique, till->
 The patient starts breathing, or till you reach a doctor.
 Alongwith stoppage of breathing, if his heart also stops beating, then massage/ press
his chest.
 After pressing his chest 3-4 times, give mouth to mouth respiration once.
 Repeat this technique
Beware->
 While dealing with children, do not give forceful breathing. Give 20-30 breaths per
minutes. Avoid giving air from your lungs. Instead, give air from throat only.
PRESSING OF CHEST (cardiac massage)
When to do it?
Cardiac massage is required whenever the patient turns pale or white and his pulse can’t
be felt.
This is an emergency so immediately take him to hospital. Before taking him to the
doctor take care of the following things: What to do?
 Make the patient lie straight on the floor.
 Sit on your knees on the patient’s left side.
 Keep the palmer surface of your right hand At the center of the chest, then above it
keep the palmer surface of left hand. Without bending your elbow now press your
hands vertically and forcefully and release them. One & half inch chest depression
should be achieved.
 In the adults, do this procedure 60 times/ minute. (in children 80-90 times)
 If the patient is not breathing and his heart beat has stopped, then alongwith pressing
his chest give mouth to mouth respiration.
 After every 4 times pressing the chest give mouth to mouth respiration one time.
 If there other people available, then one person should press the chest and other
should give mouth to mouth respiration.Continue this technique till the patient starts
turning red, breathing is resumed & his blood vessels start pulsating again.
Beware-

Don’t press chest so hard that his ribs break nor it is to be done too lightly.
PIMPLES
They are occur normally in young people . If we do not take care of them, it can lead to
scarring. To avoid this, take care of following things.
 Do not puncture the pimples.
 Wash the face two times everyday with soap. Especially wash at night before
sleeping.
 Drink lots of water.
 Exposure to sunlight is good for curing pimple.
 If pus occurs in pimples then immediately consult a doctor.
 Take DOXYCYCLINE (100 mg) capsule 2-times/ day for 2 weeks.
 Apply cream of RETINO –A before going in sunlight.
CONSTIPATION
Constipation can be treated at home itself without any medicines.
Danger->
Constipation may lead to many other diseases.
 Piles
 Hernia
 Intestinal cancer
What to do?
 Drink as much water as possible. Take liquid products. (Juice, lemon juice, curd, lassi
etc)
 Take more seasonal fruits (papaya, mango etc), green leafy vegetables (spinach,
radish) and fibrous vegetables ( radish, carrot, porridge)
 Make it a habit to drink milk at night.

Avoid fast food or market products like bread, bun cake pastry, noodles etc.
Remember->
 If constipation continues for 2-3 days, then take 2-3 spoonful of isabgol at night with
milk/ water for 3 days.
FOOD POISONING
Eating food from outside (market, party, marriage etc) or eating cold/ uncooked / half
cooked food, stale food, at home may lead to food poisoning.
Symptoms->
 Vomiting within 24-72 hrs of eating a food item.
 Loose motions
 Pain in abdomen
What to do?
 Drink lots of water or ORS or any other liquids (lemon water etc).
 Take one tablet each of NORFLOXACIN (400 mg) and TINIDAZOLE (500 mg) and
immediately consult a doctor.
Prevention->
 Avoid outside food as far as possible. If it can’t be avoided, then be selective in what
you eat outside e.g.,don’t eat sauce,chatani, salad, curd etc. Prefer only hot /fried
items. Don’t take cold/ half boiled or stale food.
 Before taking canned/ tinned food from outside, be careful. If the container is
swollen/ compressed/dented or has holes in it then don’t take it. If the expiry date has
passed don’t buy it.
 Take special care while buying milk, curd / ghee/ ice cream etc.
Beware->
There are increased chances of food poisoning at marriages and parties. If many people
show symptoms, then make a salt and sugar water mixture in a bucket (5 spoons of sugar
and ½ spoon of salt per 1 liter of water) and give it to patients.
ELECTRIC SHOCK
Dangers –>
 Burning of skin
 Effect on brain
 Death
Electric shock is an emergency.
Beware->
If you want to help in such cases then first of all protect yourself. Don’t touch the
person’s body /hand etc.,else your life could be in danger.
While saving the person take care_ That you are wearing rubber slippers.
_ That slippers are not wet.
_ That your hands are not wet.














What to do?
If the patient is still in contact with electric wire then, immediately switch it off.
Wrap the patient in a cloth/ bedsheet and pull him.
Separate / break the wire with a dry wooden stick. Don’t ever cut the wire with
scissor, knife/any iron item.
Make the patient lie on the ground.
If the patient stops breathing and turns blue then give him mouth to mouth
respiration.
If the patient’s heart beat stops then press his chest.
Until the patient is taken to hospital give him mouth to mouth respiration and press
his chest.
If any electric equipment in your house has current then don’t use that equipment. Get
it repaired soon.
The amount of burnt skin due to electric current, which is usually lesser than what is
burnt from inside. So quickly take him to doctor.
Remember->
Water coolers and air coolers have increased risk of current shock. Check current
leakage in these equipments at regular intervals.
Most cases of electric shock occur when there is improper earthing of equipments.
The earthing of your home electricity supply should be done by an experienced
electrician.
Wear rubber slippers while pulling the patient away from wire
Don’t use an iron or metal wire for drying clothes in sunlight, as there is increased
risk of electric shock
There is increased risk of electric shock during rainy season/ lightening and one
should be careful and should not go to roof top.
Vomiting
Vomiting can also lead to dehydration from loss of fluids and electrolytes from body.
If vomiting is associated with loose motions then: Roast and crush raw rice are. Give 2 spoonfuls are to patient after every vomiting or
loose motion.
 Black tea with lemon relieves vomiting and loose motion.
 Roast cumin (jheira) in spoon and add lemon and salt. Take it 3 times a day.
 If vomiting is severe don’t eat anything for 2-3 hours and consult a doctor.

Stomach Ache (pain in abdomen)
Acute and severe pain in upper right side of abdomen can be due to gall bladder
stone.


Recurrent pain in upper middle area of stomach (epigastric) can be because of ulcer.
Pain in lower abdomen can be during menses.
Thing to do: If there pain heaviness and burning sensation in stomach then:  Put boiled rice in water for overnight and eat it after mixing 1 spoonful methi in it on
empty stomach.
 Take a tablet of diagene or gelusil which can be taken thrice a day.
 Put one spoon of Eno in one glass of water and drink it immediately.
 Keep drinking water at night and take liquid/ semisolid food (like khichdi) at night.
 If there is dull ache in stomach for many days, it may be worm infestation. Take
papaya (papita) or its crushed seeds with a glass of milk for 2-3days. Don’t give
anything to patient for 2 hours before and after giving this treatment.
 Crush neem leaves and make tablet out of it and consume one tablet daily empty
stomach.
 If stomachache becomes severe, contact a doctor.
What not to do Don’t take oily, spicy food .Do not drink alcohol, tobacco, tea or coffee.
 Do not eat aspirin or brufen.
 Consult a doctor
When  Stomachache increase in intensity and becomes recurrent.
 Pain is localized to a specific part of stomach
 Pain is localized to a specific part
 Pain is not relieved after 1 day
 Pain in stomach is associated with vomiting, diarrhea or problem in passing urine.
 There is abdominal distension or abdomen becomes stiff.
 There is tenderness in abdomen.
Ear Discharge
If the ear discharge is not associated with pain, keep the ear dry. It will subside by itself.
 For this take clean newspaper or any soft paper. Crush it and make a paper stick to
clean it repeatedly.
 Don’t put any thing like water, oil or any medicine in the ear.
 Put cotton soaked in mustard oil in ear when you take bath to prevent entry of water.
 If ear discharge is accompanied with pain, or continues for more than 2 days consult a
doctor.
Earache
If earache is present but there is no discharge then
 Consult a doctor immediately
 If the doctor is not accessible, put 1 spoon of vinegar mixed with 1 spoon of hot water
in ear, put 2-3 drops 3-4 times a day in the ear.
 .
Sometimes while returning from hill station/ hilly areas, people may have earache due to
closure of eustachian tube (which connects ear and throat). To prevent this, keep
swallowing saliva or take toffee.
Some times during swimming, dirty water may enter ear to cause earache.
Consult a doctor when:  There is redness or swelling behind the ear.
 There is bleeding from ear after head injury.
 High fever is associated with earache.
 When there is discharge of foul smelling greenish or yellowish colour pus.
 If the earache continues for more than 24 hrs.
Yellowish Discoloration of skin and eyes (Jaundice/ Hepatitis)





It usually transmits through contaminated water, food or infected blood. Hepatitis is
of 6 types (A, B, C, D, E, and F). Out of these 6 types, Hepatitis B & C occurs
through infected blood and are DANGEROUS. Hepatitis A & E, which are spread by
contaminated water/ food are LESS DANGEROUS than others types.
Hepatitis generally occurs in summer season. It occurs due to damage to liver.
Hallmark symptoms are fever, vomiting, malaise, yellowish discoloration of skin, eye
and urine (which usually appears by 5th day). There is also loss of appetite (anorexia)
and loss of weight.
In 95% of patients, disease usually resolves itself in 5-7 days.
JAUNDICE IN PREGNANCY IS VERY DANGEROUS AND OFTEN FATAL.
What needs to be done –
 Drink boiled water only.
 Intake of glucose,sugars and carbohydrates(rice/potato) should be increased.
Intake of fruit, juices, lemon water with more sugar, is also beneficial.
 Light food should be taken (Khichdi, green leafy vegetables). Intake of curd should
be increased.
 Don’t consume food cooked outside home.
 Don’t consume oily and spicy food.
 Don’t accept any medication (oral or injection) without consulting a doctor.
 Bed rest at home is necessary for early recovery.
 In most cases jaundice gets resolved without medicines.
Remember
 Hepatitis B is a serious disease that occurs through infected blood. So don’t use
previously used needles or injections. For its prevention, Hepatitis B vaccination is
given.
Redness of Eyes
Main Causes
 Foreign body in the Eye (hair, grass, sand, dust , insect)
 Infection
 Repeated rubbing of eyes.
 Trauma
What to do:
 Wash the eyes with cold & clean water.
 Put 2 drops of 20% sulphacetamide or ciprofloxacin in the eyes, 3-4 times a days for
3 days. Eye drops should be instilled in both eyes (even in the normal eye)
 If sulphacetamide or ciprofloxacin eye drops are not available, dissolve a pinch of
table salt in 1-cup water. Boil it and cool it and then use this solution to clean the
eyes.
 If some foreign body has entered the eye, then pull the lower eyelid downwards and
turn the upper eyelid upwards. If any foreign body is visible, take it out with the help
of cotton pieces (boiled in water and then cooled)immersed in lukewarm water.
 If redness does not resolve, or swelling also appears along with redness or if redness
is due to head injury, consult a doctor.
 Patients should use a separate towel. Wash hands after contact with diseased eye.
Remember
 Don’t rub the eye. Rubbing can cause further damage to eye.
 Redness of eyes can also be due to excessive sun exposure, and can also be due to
alcohol intake. So avoid these things.
 Don’t put “surma” into the eyes.
 If foreign body sensation is present but no foreign body is visible, then consult a
doctor.
 If some acid has entered the eyes, wash eyes thoroughly with cold clean water. Don’t
rub the eyes. Patient can also be kept supine with eyes opened and water can be
instilled through one end so that it leaves the eyes through other end. This also
washes the eye thoroughly.
 After this take the patient to a doctor.
 Go to a doctor if it is a painful red eye.
Itching (Scabies)
It is a common disease in children. In this, burrows appear and itching occurs in the webs
between the fingers, arms, abdomen, thighs and groin.
Remember:  Even if one member of the family is affected, treatment of all the member of the
family should be done.
 Benzyl benzoate/Gamaxene (BHC) are quite effective
 As an alternative,leaves of “Neem plants” may be added to boiled water and some
turmeric powder should be added to it to prepare a solution. This solution should be
applied as lotion all over the body by all the members of the family following bath.
After applying this solution, stand in sunshine for sometime. This practice should be
done at least once a day but can be done twice or thrice a day for at least 3 days.
Avoid bathing in these 3 days. Bath can be taken on the 4th day.
 All the home laundry (used bed sheets, clothes) should be washed properly.
Mattresses & quilts should be kept in sunlight.
Burns
If a burn injury occurs on any part of the body:  Immediately take the patient away from fire.
 Put a blanket on the patient who is on fire.
 Pour cold water over burnt area or immersed the burnt area under cold water. Don’t
apply ice on burnt area.
 Apply some Vaseline on a gauze piece and apply it over the burnt area. Neosporin
ointment /gentian violet can be used instead of vaseline.
 If blisters appear, don’t compress/ break them
 Add ½ spoon salt and a pinch of Baking soda to 1 glass of water and give this mixture
to the patient to drink frequently. If vomiting occurs, then don’t use this mixture.
Remember
 Minor burns can be treated at home.
 Burnt area should be kept clean, free of dust and insects.
 Don’t apply soil or cow dung over it.
 If pus has appeared in the burns, then wash it with salt water.
 Give plenty of fluids.
 Give paracetamol/ brufen tablets to treat pain.
If the burnt area is more than the size of palm or if the patient becomes
unconscious, then immediately take the patient to the doctor.
Rules for first aid
 Start first aid as soon as possible. It can save life.
 Maintain silence while dealing with the patient. Don’t panic.
 Observe the following things before starting first aid.




Is the patient having problems in respiration? - Do mouth to mouth respiration
Is there excessive bleeding?- Compress the site with clean cloth
Has the patient’s pulse stopped? - Chest should be pressed repeatedly.
Is patient unconscious?- Do all of the above whichever is necessary
If the above said observations are true then it is an emergency. Such patients
should be immediately referred to the hospital.








If the patient is having problems while breathing, he should be given mouth to mouth
breathing till reaching the hospital.
If the patient’s bleeding is not stopping, a clean cloth should be pressed tightly with
clean cloth for at-least 3 minutes.
If the patient has fainted and his pulse has stopped, then his chest should be pressed
repeatedly.
A medicine kit should always be kept at home, office and school.
Crowd should not be allowed to gather around the patient. Ventilation should be
provided to the patient.
If the patient is alone, then his close relatives should be informed.
Patient should not be handled too long by a layman. Doctor should be informed as
soon as possible.
The patient should be taken to the doctor as soon as possible; it increases the
possibility of the patient getting well.
DO’S AND DON’TS FOR SIMPLE DISEASES
S.
No
Disease
1
Sore throat
cough
and common
cold
What to do? (Home made and new
treatment Investigations and
Instructions to prevent spread)






Warm saline gargles.
Tea, hot soup.
Tulsi leaves in tea.
Stream inhalation.
Increased water intake.
Mix lemon juice, honey
What not to do?
Avoid sour, fried and cold
food stuffs.
Don’t smoke
2
Headache
3
Toothache
4
Backache

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5
Loose motion

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6
Vomiting
7
Stomachache
(Pain abdomen)
8
Ear discharge
and ginger and take it.
Rest
Deal with the cause
Cup of coffee/tea
Consult Doctor
Chewing of mango leaves
Clove Oil
Consult dentist
Hot fomentation with
rubber water bottles
Bed rest
Proper posture while
sleeping or sitting
Consult Physician for
investigation and
treatment.



Mix salt and sugar in water
and take it after regular
intervals
Take ORS solution /plenty
of fluids
Consult doctor

Don’t do heavy
exercise
Don’t do heavy
massage
Don’t stop breast
feeding
Don’t stop feeding

Mix lemon juice in tea
without milk and take it.
 Consume lemon juice
mixed in burnt jeera
 Consume powder of
roasted burnt uncooked
(raw) rice
 ORS solution
 Consult doctor
 Consume methi with cooked
rice
 For worm infections, take
papaya
 Take neem leaves every
morning on empty stomach
 Consult Doctor
 Keep the ear dry
 Clean ear with clean paper



Stop alcohol intake
Don’t take Asprin/
Brufen tablet
Don’t take Ghee, oil and
spicy food
Don’t put any medicine/
matchstick etc in ear.
9
High grade
fever
10
Ear ache
13
Jaundice

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14
Bee scorpion
bite

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15
16
17
Red eye
Boils/ rashes
Dog bite

gauge
Consult doctor
Cold sponging all over body
Consult doctor
Get investigated for Malaria
Take oral fluids
Mix vinegar in warm water
and put into ear
Consult doctor
Sugarcane juice or fruit juice
Oral liquids
Lemon juice containing a lot of
sugar
Take light food (Gruel, Green
vegetables, rice, tomatoes,
curd)
Boil water before drinking
Bed rest
Remove the sting with some
iron instrument
Put ice on affected area
In scorpion bite, rub the area
with onion
In bee bite, apply lemon to
affected area
Apply baking soda or tamarind
water on affected area
Consult a doctor
Don’t cover the body with
blanket or clothes.







Irrigation of eyes with cold
water
Sun glasses
Wash eye with lukewarm
saline



Hot fomentation
Bath with soap
Turmeric application


Clean the wound with soap till
it lathers
Consult a doctor





Don’t take injection or
medicine without
consulting doctor
Don’t take fried, roasted,
food from outside
Don’t consult quacks
Stop intake of Ghee/oil
Don’t give your towel to
others
Don’t rub eyes
Don’t give your towel to
others
Don’t allow flies to sit on
boil/ rash
Don’t stitch the wound
Don’t apply salt, spices
on wound
18
Rash/Itching




19
Scabies




20
Lice in head




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21
Burn

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

22
Sun burn
23
Cut or Wound







Take bath with soap water/
Clean part with soap and water
Allow the affected part to
become dry
Cold fomentation
Put one Teaspoon of Vinegar
in one katori containing water
and apply solution on affected
area
Take dalia
Boil Neem leaves in water,
then add haldi to it and make a
paste and apply it on body of
the patient and family
members.
Dry all bed sheets, blankets in
Sun
Wash all clothes of patient in
warm water.
Consult a doctor
Wash hair with Dettol
Mix kerosene oil with coconut
oil and apply on hairs
Use lice comb to remove lice
Remove lice eggs
Put two teaspoon vinegar in
water and wash hair with it.
Put cold water on affected part
Take oral fluids like water,
lemonade etc.
Fruit juices
Put affected part under fan
Consult doctor
Don’t give your towel to
others
Cold sponging
Take oral fluids
Fruit juice, lemonade etc.
Fanning of affected part
Clean the affected part with
soap till lathers
Remove soil from wound and
clear it with saline water
Make a paste of ginger and
sugar and apply it or apply
turmeric or blue lotion.
Don’t walk in sun
unnecessarily
Don’t give your towel to
others
Don’t give your comb to
others.



Don’t apply ice
Don’t burst blisters
Don’t apply mud/ cowdung
Don’t apply cowdung,
kerosene oil or soil to wound

24
Bone fracture
25
Unconsciousnes
s due to coal
gas inhalation
26
Poison intake
27
28
29
Foreign body
lodgment in
nose/ ear Insect
in ear
Foreign body
lodgment in
trachea
Seizure
(Epilepsy)
Consult doctor if wound is
deep.
 Put a wooden flat piece on
lower side and tie it
 Clean the external wound with
warm water
 Consult doctor as soon as
possible
 Take the patient to open air
 Open windows/ doors
 Mouth to mouth respiration
 Consult doctor as soon as
possible
If patient is unconscious :
 Don’t give anything to drink/
eat
 Take left lateral position
 Don’t induce vomiting
 Consult doctor as soon as
possible
If the patient is conscious:
 Induce vomiting
 Give cold water/ coconut water
 Keep poison out of reach of
children
 If insect into ear, put mustered
oil into ear
 Consult doctor if any thing got
impacted
 Bend the patient forward
 Give a thump in center of back



Put a cloth gauze in between
teeth
Put patient in lateral position
If a seizure occurs several
times, consult doctor



Don’t use coal furnace
(anghiti)in a closed room
during winters


Sprain

Cold fomentation during first
Don’t put kerosene oil,
acid in drinking bottles
Don’t store expired
medicine
Don’t try to remove foreign
body yourself


Don’t induce vomiting
Don’t give anything
orally to drink or eat

Don’t give anything
during seizure
Don’t call quacks
Don’t put chapel or shoes
near the nose of patient
Don’t try to stop seizure



30
Don’t move part
Give rest to the part
Don’t move neck or
waist if affected
Don’t consult dislocation
31
Unconsciousnes
s





32
Blood oozing
from wound



33
Acne
34
Epistaxis (
Bleeding from
nose)
35
Food poisoning








36
Constipation





37
Electric shock


24 hrs of injury and hot
fomentation after that.
Bandage
Raise the foot end of bed
Mouth to mouth breathing
If body is warm, do cold
sponging
If blood is oozing out from
some part of body, stop it
Raise the wounded part of
body
Press the part with a clean
cloth and tie the cloth
If wound is deep, stitches
should be applied
Clean the face with soap
Take lot of water
Consult a dermatologist
Bend the patient forward
Press nose with fingers
Apply ice or cold water on the
area.
Take ORS solution or
lemonade
Consult doctor as soon as
possible
Take lot of fluids
Eat green leafy vegetables/
fruits
Walk and exercise regularly
Take Isabgol in milk or water
Take milk
Switch the mains off and
remove electric wire with dry
wooden piece
Pull the patient with help of
bed sheet or linen, don’t touch
correctors or persons who do
massage
Don’t give anything to eat
Don’t tie the cloth very
strongly. One finger should
pass between the body part
and bandage.





Don’t apply oil, cream on
face
Don’t burst acne
Don’t bend head
posteriorly
Don’t put anything in
nose
Don’t break the blood
clot from nose

Avoid food intake from
restaurant/ dhabas or
from outside vendors (
especially salads, curd,
open fruits etc)
 Don’t take pre-cooked
food/ tinned food. Eat
only fresh food
Avoid fast food (samosa,
patty, buns etc)
Don’t touch patient while in
contact with live electric
wire

38
Snake bite





the patient
Consult doctor as soon as
possible
Mouth to mouth breathing
Clean the bitten part with soap
water till it lathers
Tie a piece of cloth for
sometime, then remove it then
again tie it
Cold sponging on bitten site
Tie a tight bandage above the
site
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Don’t move the affected
part
Don’t suck the poison
with mouth
Don’t cut the wound with
blade
Don’t tie the bandage
very tightly. One finger
should pass between the
body part and bandage.
SOME EASY HOME REMEDIES
1) Steam inhalation
 Boil water in a small container (Jug, pan, kettle). Eucalyptus leaves/ vicks can put in
water and steam can be inhaled
 Put the boiled water in jug or kettle and cover it.
 Put the jug on table/ stool / floor
 Sit on other chair/ bed/ stool
 Cover your head and pot with a bed sheet/ towel
 Put your face one and half feet above the water surface
 Remove the cover of jug or kettle
 Close your mouth and take deep breathing through nose
 Repeat this for 5-10 minutes
 Take rest while whole head and face covered with towel.
 Don’t switch on cooler or fan for 15 minutes after taking stream
2)
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ORS solution preparation
Boil one liter of water in a pot and allow it to cool
Put one ORS pack into this water (Check expiry date)
Mix it with help of a spoon
Give this solution to the patient in small amounts at frequent intervals (say after each
stool/ or after every half hour)
Use this solution within 24 hours
Throw the rest solution after 24 hours
Make new solution after 24 hours
Give this solution to the patient until vomiting/ loose motion stops
3) Preparation of salt sugar solution at home
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Take clean water (cooled at room temperature after boiling)in a glass
Put one tea spoon of sugar and one pinch of salt in it
Also add half lemon juice into solution if it is present in your home.
Give this solution to patient at frequent intervals until vomiting / loose motion stops
4)
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Cleaning of ear with paper buds
Make 3-4 buds of clean paper by rolling the paper.
Put the buds in ear and clean the pus
Throw the used buds
Repeat the procedure until pus stop staining the bud.
Do only 3-4 times a day
5)
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Cold sponging in fever
Take cold water in a vessel
Put a cloth into this and squeeze it
Put the cloth on every part of body (head, arm, abdomen, neck, legs)
Put the cloth in water repeatedly, squeeze it and apply to body
Repeat the procedure until fever comes down
6)
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Removing the dust from eye
Make the patient lie side wise
Take water in a katori and add little salt into it. Boil water and allow it to cool
Dip cotton into it and squeeze drop by drop into eye
After half and hour of clearing the eye with salt water, put ciprofloxacin eye drop it.
Repeat the procedure 2-3 times a day
7)
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Fermentation to boil or furuncle
Put one tea spoon of salt in one liter of water. Put piece cotton into it.
Boil the water with immersed cotton in it.
Allow the water to become lukewarm
Squeeze the cotton and put it on boil or furuncle for 2-3 times
On drying, apply blue medicine (methylene blue) or red lotion on boil/ furuncle
8) Washing the wound caused by a dog/ animal bite
 Wash the wound with soap till it lathers. Clean it with running water.
 Clean the part thoroughly with running water if soap is not available.
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9) Cleaning a wound/ cut or broken bone which comes out of skin
Put one liter of water in a vessel and add 1 tea spoon salt into it and boil it
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Allow the water to become lukewarm
Spray the water with a syringe (without needle) on wound
Take patient to hospital
10) Mouth to mouth breathing
 Make the patient lie straight on the floor
 Bend patient’s neck backward
 Open patient’s mouth
 Sit on patient’s right side.
 Put your left hand under patient’s neck
 Close the nostrils of patient with using your right hand
 Bring your mouth closer to patient’s mouth and put air into patient’s mouth so that
chest inflates
 Repeat the same procedure 15 times in a minute
 If pulse / heart beat of patient is also slow, then give chest compressions along with
mouth to mouth breathing.
 After giving four chest compression, give one mouth to mouth breath
11) Stopping the bleeding after injury
 Raise the injured part
 Press the bleeding site firmly with a clean piece of cloth
 Press the part above the wound firmly with hand or cloth
 If bleeding does not stop, then tie a cloth tightly on the wound
12) Chest compression after absent pulse/ stoppage of breathing
 Make the patient lie flat on floor
 Sit on patient’s left side by bending the knees
 Put your right palm on center of chest. Put other hand’s palm above it
 Press the palms against the chest forcibly without bending the elbows so that chest
press by 11/2 inches
 Repeat the procedure 60 times a minute in adults (80-90 times in children)
 If patient is not breathing, then give mouth to mouth respiration along with chest
compression
 After every 4 chest compression, give one mouth to mouth breathing
 If there are two persons then, one can do chest compression and other can give mouth
to mouth respiration.
13) Tie a wooden piece along fracture
 Keep a piece of wood, magazine or folded newspaper under the fractured body part.
 Tie a bandage all around
 Don ‘t move the fractured part
 Don’t try to align the fractured bone
 If arm bones are fractured, then put a sling in neck after tying a wooden piece.
14) Epistaxis ( Blood oozing from nose)
 Make the patient to sit on chair or floor.
 Ask the patient to bend forward.
 Press the nose with fingers.
 Press nose of patient for 5 minutes.
 Ask the patient to breath from nose.
Some Important things- >
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Curd, raw onion, garlic, turmeric reduce B.P. Taking 1 tea spoon of Ginger juice
mixed with 1 tea spoon of honey and black pepper daily also help in decreasing in
B.P
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Dry seeds of Jamun can be crushed and boiled. After filtering, it can be given to the
patient of diabetes. Neem leaves and
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Chewing of clove or mango leaves and then keeping its juice in mouth will lead to
relieving from toothache
Rational use of water is more useful than medicines.
(a)Prevention from water therapy
S.No. Prevention of diseases
1
Loose motion
2
3
4
Skin diseases
Boils/Furuncles
Sun burn
Use of water
Drink boiled water
Wash hands properly
Take bath 2-3times/day
Clean the boils/Furuncles with soap and water.
Take bath with cold water several times in
summer. Drink sugar salt solution in good
amount.
(a)Treatment from water therapy
S.No. Treatment of diseases
1
Loose motions
2
3
4
5
Use of water
Take enough oral fluids like lemonade, lassi
etc
Fever with diseases
Take enough oral fluids
High fever
Do cold water sponging.
Burning sensation during passage Take oral fluids as much as possible.
of urine
Cough,
Asthma,
Pneumonia, Take enough oral fluids.
Pertussis
8
9
Steam inhalation to make sputum loose so that
it comes out easily.
Ringworm,
dandruff,
boil/ Wash with soap till it lathers and clean with
furuncles, animal bite
running water
Wound, Furuncles
Clean with salt containing lukewarm water or
do hot fermentation
Joint pain, stiffness muscle pain
Hot sponging
Burning sensation, itching in skin
Cold sponging
10
11
Burn
Sore throat or tonsillitis
6
7
12
13
14
15
Put the burnt part in cold water
Lukewarm water saline gargles and steam
inhalation
Eye Contamination with acid, dust Irrigate the eyes with cold water
bases and foreign body
Nasal blockade
Suck saline water through nose and then blow
it.
Constipation
Take fluids as much as possible.
Piles
Put one pinch of potassium permanganate in
Luke warm water and place buttocks in the
containor.
Kit of medicines to be kept at home
Although without Doctor’s advice no medicine should be taken. But still before reaching
to the doctor, some treatment can be started at home or village. The most important thing
when ever there is any injury or ailment is that we should not panic.
Every house should have some medicines for emergency. Kit should have only
that much medicine that treatment can be started before reaching the Doctor.
Beware:
 Keep all drugs out of reach from children.
 Label all medicine with instructions for their use.
 Medicines should be kept in a cold, dry and clean place.
 Put the medicine back into the kit as soon as it is used.
 Medicine should be taken after meals with water unless specified.
Home Medicine Kit
Material
1/2/3 inch wide bandage
Cotton
Cello tape
Soap (Dettol/ Lifebuoy)
Vinegar
Scissor (clean)
Quantity
2 of each type
1 small packet
1
1
Small bottle
1
Thermometer
Vaseline
Blue medicine (Gentian violet)
Red medicine (potassium permanganate)
O.R.S
Dettol
Betadine
Paracetamol
Brufen
Digene
Ciprofloxacin (Ear, eye drops)
Citrazine
1
Small bottle
Small bottle
Small bottle
Five packets
Small bottle
Small bottle
10 Tablets
10 Tablets
10 Tablets
1 bottle
10Tablets
Some Important points for first aid/home remedies
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Although many modern medicines are very useful and life saving but, most of the
diseases does not require any medicine. If we do simple treatment along with proper
rest and balanced diet, the body can itself fight against the disease and finish it.
Always try that there is no harm during practice. Use traditional or modern method
of cure only when you are sure that there is no harm involved in it. Along with this
you should also know the proper method of curing that disease.
Always work in your limits. Always remember that you can also make mistakes while
using this book. Don’t try to do heroic things which you don’t know. If you are
unable to recognize a disease or don’t know about its cure or if the disease is very
severe, then take medical help.
Most of the diseases can be cured or prevented without the use of medicines.
Use a drug or medicine only when you are completely sure that it is very necessary.
You must know the right procedure for its usage.
There is always some harm involved in using any medicine, so don’t use it
indiscriminately.