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       # Deep Wounds
       
       ## Leave deep wounds open
       
       Any deep wounds should be left open to heal.  Wounds that are not
       closed properly can easily become infected.  Rough, messy wounds and
       puncture wounds in particular should be cleaned twice a day with
       boiled water and kept open, or re-opened, so they will heal from the
       inside.
       
       Deep wounds can develop a tetanus infection.  Unless the person had a
       tetanus vaccination within the last 5 years, they will need one now
       and also an injection of antitetanus immunoglobulin.
       
 (DIR) tetanus
 (DIR) medicines to prevent tetanus
       
       If you are not sure whether closing a wound is a good idea, it
       probably is not.
       
       > Never close animal bites, puncture wounds, or rough, messy wounds.
       
       ## Animal bites
       
       Clean animal bites very well with soap and water for 15 minutes or
       more.  Animal bites are likely to get infected, so give so give
       amoxicillin with clavulanic acid or another combination of
       antibiotics for animal bites.
       
 (DIR) antibiotics
 (DIR) animal bites
       
       For monkey, bat and raccoon bites, get a rabies vaccination and
       immunoglobulin immediately.  Do the same for dog bites if the dog
       could have rabies.
       
 (DIR) animal bites
       
 (IMG) Dog bite
       
       Rabies is deadly.  It affects the brain causing signs like confusion
       or paralysis.  Then, in just a few days, the person becomes
       unconscious leading to death.  Following a bite from an animal with
       rabies, it can take a month or a few months for signs to appear but
       by then it is too late to treat.  If you think rabies is a
       possibility and do not have rabies vaccine or rabies immunoglobulin,
       contact your local health authority as soon as possible after the
       bite.
       
       Even if there is no rabies immunoglobulin available, washing the skin
       thoroughly right away with soap and repeated rinsing, and giving the
       series of rabies vaccine as soon as possible can prevent rabies.
       
       ## Knife wounds
       
 (IMG) Knife
       
       Deep knife wounds should usually be kept open and cleaned often.
       Give cloxacillin, clindamycin or cephalexin at any sign of infection.
       
 (DIR) antibiotics
       
       Knife wounds to the chest or belly can be very dangerous.  Get
       medical help.  On the way to help, see Chest Wounds for what to do
       for a knife wound to the chest, or Abdomen Injuries for what to do
       for a knife wound to the belly.
       
 (DIR) chest
 (DIR) abdomen
       
       ## Gunshot Wounds
       
 (IMG) Pistol
       
       Get medical help as soon as possible for gunshot wounds.  Use direct
       pressure to stop bleeding.  Check both where the bullet entered and
       where it exited.  If there is no exit wound, the bullet may have to
       be removed.
       
 (DIR) bleeding
       
       Gunshot wounds are likely to become infected.  In all cases, wash the
       wound well and give one of these: cloxacillin, clindamycin, or
       cephalexin.
       
 (DIR) antibiotics
       
       For a bullet in the head, on the way to get help, raise the head a
       little with folded blankets or pillows.  Cover the wound with a clean
       bandage.
       
       If there is any chance that the bullet hit a bone, the bone may be
       cracked or broken through.  Splint the limb and do not use it for
       several weeks.
       
 (IMG) Cracked bone
 (IMG) Broken bone
       
       ## Fish hooks
       
       Push the hook through the skin so it pokes out the other side.
       
 (IMG) Push through
       
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 (IMG) Cut off barb
       
       Pull the rest of the hook out.
       
 (IMG) Pull out
       
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