Gunshot Injury
When a single bullet passes through the body or part of the body, the wound of entrance is smaller than that of exit. Injury by shotgun at close range causes more damage to the tissues than that by the single bullet from a rifle. The wound caused by a shotgun blast may contain fragments of clothing, perhaps some wadding of the shell, and individual pieces of shot.
Because the extent of the damage caused by gunshot cannot be determined by examining the surface wound, all such injuries should receive a physician's care as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the first-aider should control serious bleeding and take the usual steps to avoid shock.
WHAT TO DO
1. Apply firm pressure over the wound, using a sterile gauze or clean piece of cloth next to the wound, which will usually control the bleeding. (See Hemorrhage)
2. Keep the patient in a reclining position and take the usual precautions to control shock by keeping the patient quiet and warm. (See Shock: B. Shock From Failure of Blood Circulation.)
3. Do not attempt to probe the wound or to remove the bullet or other foreign material. '
4. Cover the wound with a sterile dressing or clean cloth and bandage; then let the physician take over the patient's care.
