Survival Drugs & Data

[Woodman]

During the American Civil War, hundreds of thousands of lives were lost from battlefield injuries which were not properly attended. A glancing wound from a stray bullet (what would now be considered a “minor” injury) would often developed into a severe infection resulting in amputation or death.



Today, we have many ways to treat such injury. Some are structural, and some are medicinal.



As this is a site apparently devoted to safe drug use, I can think of no better topic than the application of these drugs in a way that could be beneficial in life-threatening and/or life-enhancing (ie. pain reduction) situations.



For example; appropriate application of topical and systemic antibiotics (type, dosage, interval, etc.)? Advantages of IV vs. oral?



And what is the proper ratio for a "Pain Cocktail?"



How do you set an IV, and why flush IV with heparin?



In hard times, medical assistance may not be readily accessible and in such situation it would be advantageous to at least have a cursory knowledge of medicinal drugs and their proper applications.



Perhaps I'm reaching too far. Sometimes my mind wanders; my thoughts go off the reservation, but I feel this is an important area worth exploring.



What do YOU think?