Private Brave's Adventures

       Three weeks later, a soldier with one arm and his very attentive sister were looked upon with much interest by the other passengers on a steamer going to New York. Ima stood the journey well, but when they arrived at the station, Shesa decided to take him direct to the Dolls' Hospital to rest instead of home, where he would be under a good deal of excitement.

       So it was in the Dolls' Hospital that the Brave family came together again, rejoicing in the escape of their soldier. Even Mike, the dog, was allowed to come, and no one greeted him with more joy than did their family pet.

       Private Brave didn't mend as well as the doctors and nurses had hoped. Within a week after his arrival at the hospital, an abscess developed on his left forearm, which caused everyone to worry, and another operation was all that saved poor Private Brave from losing his only remaining arm.

       The assistant nurse dressed and bandaged this abscess with roller bandages.

ROLLER BANDAGES
(See Reference List)

       Roller bandages are usually made of long straight pieces of gauze. This material "gives" to the form of the arm much better than muslin. Never put a bandage on wet, for it shrinks and is too tight when dry.

       You will be interested in seeing a picture on page 99 of how a roller bandage is applied to an arm or leg.

       This picture shows one of Mary Frances' big dolls bandaged in roller bandages.

       The two-and-a-half-inch wide roller bandage four or six yards long is the size most used for grown-up people, although narrower ones are needed for fingers.

       On the doll's body inch-wide bandages were used, and the ends were sewed in place. To prevent slipping, strips of adhesive plaster were placed over the folds of the edges.

Roller Bandages on a doll.

        Under the assistant nurse's kind care, Private Brave soon grew better and was able to take an interest in the other patients.

       He begged to be allowed to visit the boys' ward, where he wouldn't be so lonely.

       There was great excitement among the boys in the ward, none of whom were very ill, when a

real soldier came to visit them.

       They coaxed him to tell them about his adventures.

       They liked best the story about how he lost his arm, and this one about the stolen baby:

THE WAY PRIVATE BRAVE SAVED A BABY'S LIFE

"We put the baby into her arms."

       "We were riding along one day, when I thought I heard a baby's cry. None of the other boys seemed to hear it, and as we were not riding in order, I headed my horse toward the sound. I had about concluded that I was mistaken, when the horse stopped short. The crying had ceased by this

time.

       "I looked down, and there among the sage-brush, at the horse's feet, was a little baby about a year old. How it came in such a place, I have no idea. There was no house within forty miles, and we hadn't met a soul.

       "I got off my horse and picked the little thing up and rode with it, to our captain. It appeared to be half starved and surely could not have survived much longer.

       "We carried it with us into camp, fed it and took care of it as best we could.

       "On making inquiries, we found the baby had been stolen from some poor white settlers. Who did it or why, no one ever found out.

       "When the poor mother came into camp and we put the baby into her arms she was the happiest woman I ever saw"

       "Wasn't that grand!" cried Bobby to Sammy, the little lame boy in the next bed. Sammy was the plaster-of- Paris doll Mary Frances had bought for a nickel at the children's fair.

       All the patients were sorry and the doctors and nurses, too when the time came for Private Brave to leave the hospital.

       He had been so bright and cheerful that they would miss him greatly.

       He felt sorry, too, in a way, for so many interesting things had happened; for instance but perhaps you would rather hear the story of the mad dog as Private Brave told it to his family.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, Private Brave's Adventures,  17, 18, 19 

Shesa, A Red Cross Nurse

       While taking a walk one day in her hours off duty, Shesa wandered farther away from the hospital than usual. She was thinking of Ima. Before realizing it, she had lost her direction and found herself in a lovely little valley. The scenery along the border had been so uninteresting, with low cactus plants growing out of the sand, and scrub bushes stretching away in low irregular outline, that this spot came as a delightful surprise.

       Spying a little cabin on the side of the mountain above the valley, she decided to inquire the way back, and, quickening her steps, reached it in a short time.

       A slovenly woman appeared at the door. Five small children surrounded her, pulling at her skirts as the}' saw the stranger. The youngest set up a howl of disapproval as Shesa came nearer. In her arms the woman held a baby and in one hand a tin pan of maize or corn. A few chickens came scurrying around the corner of the house as the woman tapped a wooden paddle on the edge of the pan.

       The woman stopped and eyed Shesa suspiciously as she came still nearer.

       "Good afternoon," said Shesa with a smile. ''Do you speak English?"

       "Howdy," grunted the woman. "Yes. Hush up, will ye?" to the children, whose noises made conversation difficult.

"Sister!" He exclaimed.

       "United States?" she asked as she looked Shesa's uniform over.

       "Yes, yes," replied Shesa. "I'm a nurse."

       "Xuss?" said the woman. "Then ye'll know what be ailing him. Come in."

       Shesa hesitated a moment before entering the low cabin which was scarcely more than a hut; but, being a brave girl, she thought, "If I am needed, I mustn't hesitate. I'll try to find out what's wanted."

       "Tell me about your trouble," she said kindly to the woman. "Is your husband ill?"

       "Nope," the woman shook her head, "he be all right. It's a U. S. man we found up yonder," pointing up the mountain road. "Been shot in arm. My man brought him home, but his arm gets worse all time. You know what to do?"

       "I think I can help," said Shesa, wishing with all her heart she had brought her emergency kit with her. " Let me see your patient."

       The woman led the way into the only bedroom in the cabin. On a rude wooden bed lay a young man, dressed in a much soiled khaki uniform. At the sound of Shesa's voice, he started up. " Sister!" he exclaimed. "Why, this seems too good to be true! Oh, perhaps I'm dreaming. My arm pains so I guess I'm just 'seeing things' from fever."

       For one moment Shesa lost her self-control. Tears filled her eyes and she longed to throw her arms about Ima's neck and cry to her heart's content. "But I must not," she chided herself. "I must do everything I can to help him."

       "It's not a dream, Ima, dear," she said as naturally as if they were in their faraway home. "You are ill and certainly do need me. Let me see your arm."

       The sight of his poor wounded arm made her feel sick, for it evidently had been neglected from the first.

       "How did it happen?" Shesa asked, as she tore her apron into bandages and directed the woman to boil some water on the open fire which she had seen outside.

       She saw that Ima wanted to talk, sick and weary as he was.

       "I was taking a stroll alone one evening," he explained, "not thinking of the least danger, for our camp lights were scarcely out of sight. Suddenly I heard the report of a gun, and felt an awful pain in my right arm. One of the bandits had evidently spotted me from ambush. I'd have been all right, but the fellow or an accomplice sprang upon me, and after a struggle knocked me senseless and took my emergency kit and everything else useful away from me. The settler who owns this cabin found me and brought me up here on his shoulders. His wife did what she could for my wound, but it became infected almost immediately, and I was too weak from loss of blood to walk back to camp, even with the man's help. Besides, in some way, I had a sprained ankle."

       "Well, dear, you are going to be helped in every way soon, so don't talk any more," said Shesa, taking off some of the dirty rags which the woman had tied clumsily upon Ima's ankle. She bathed the ankle in hot water and bound it firmly in a figure-of-eight bandage, which gave him the first ease from pain since the accident.

       She replaced the outside layers of the dirty bandages on his wounded arm. "The wounds may bleed if I take the dressings off," she decided wisely, "and I have no remedies here."

       "I wonder why the man didn't go for help?" she thought.

       Just at that moment Ima whispered, "I would have sent word to camp, but for some reason the settler seems afraid of the bandits, maybe."

       "Well," said Shesa, "you rest here, and we'll soon have help."

       "But, Shesa, it will be dangerous for you to go," said Ima. Then suddenly, "Why, how did you happen to come here, anyhow?"

       "Never mind, dear, I'll explain all that later," replied Shesa.

       "But I want to hear now," insisted Ima, his eyes bright with fever. So to satisfy him, Shesa briefly related the story of her little walk.

       "Now," she added "since the emergency hospital is so near, you need not worry until I come back?"

       He promised to try not to worry, and fell into a dozy sleep within a few minutes.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, Shesa, A Red Cross Nurse,  15, 16, 17, 18, 19 

A Telegram From Mexico

"Will you help me find my way to the Emergency Hospital?"

       Shesa hurried along by the path she thought she had taken to reach the cabin, but after walking ten minutes, found herself going in the wrong direction.

       "How dreadful!" she exclaimed, "when I am in such a hurry!"

       She looked about her. "It is nearing sunset," she whispered, looking at the sky. "Oh, I wish I knew the way!"

       Just at that moment a noise in the underbrush startled her. Although very brave, she was dreadfully afraid of snakes, even harmless ones, but she laughed when she saw a tiny prairie dog scamper out of the bushes, stand on his hind feet and look about him with blinking eyes.

       "How foolish I am!" she thought, but shuddered again as she heard someone stepping up behind her.

       "I beg pardon," said a gentlemanly voice and turning, you can imagine how relieved Shesa was to see a United States soldier standing with his hat in his hand.

"Oh, Doctor! Can't it be saved?"

       "Oh," she cried happily, "I'm so thankful to see you: Will you help me find my way to the emergency hospital?" Then she stopped and laughed. "I must apologize for speaking this way," she said, "but you will understand my excitement when I explain all that has happened to me this afternoon."

       The soldier quickly led the way as she talked.

       They soon arrived at the emergency hospital, and after Shesa's explanation, the doctors took her in a field ambulance up to the cabin, the soldier showing the way.

       Within two hours, Private Brave lay on a clean white cot, with clean dressings on his arm and comforting broth in his stomach.

       "I feel a hundred per cent better already," he said to Shesa as she kissed him good-night. "In the morning I'll be well."

       But in the morning the doctors shook their heads. " I'm afraid that arm will have to be amputated," said the chief surgeon.

       "Oh, Doctor!" exclaimed Shesa, "can't it be saved?"

       "If it is saved," said the doctor gruffly, not liking to show how sorry he was for the pretty nurse, "it will be saved for a dead man. A neglected infected wound, even small, may mean gangrene. This is a large, badly neglected infected wound!"

       Shesa bit her lips and held back the tears, saying, "Of course, if it's to save his life, Doctor " Then she went out to telegraph to her family.

The telegram read: Ima found, wounded, home soon as possible. Will bring Shesa.

       Oh, how I hope all comes out right," she thought.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, A Telegram From Mexico,  16, 17, 18, 19 

The Mad Dog

       Private Brave was comfortably seated in the home living room with his family gathered around to hear what had happened while he was in the hospital.
       "It was about four o'clock in the afternoon," he began. "I had just finished telling the boys about saving the baby, and all my other experiences which you know, when suddenly we heard a woman crying as she rushed past the ward door.
       " 'Oh, Doctor,' she sobbed, 'will he die will my little boy die? He didn't know the dog would bite, poor child! He says the dog isn't mad, but everybody else says he is!'
       " 'Come,' said the doctor, 'mad or not, we'll fix this young man up so he'll be quite safe. I'm glad you brought him to me immediately.'
       "I was on my feet in an instant, and ran to the office door, for I was very anxious to hear what would be done for the little boy.
       " 'This must be cauterized, Nurse" said the doctor. 'Get nitrate of silver ready.'
       "He dipped a wooden stick into the poison and turned it around in the wound, the little boy screaming with the pain.
       " 'Oh, Doctor,' asked his mother, 'must he be hurt so much? '
       " 'Safety must first be considered/ replied the doctor. 'We are probably destroying the dreadful germs of hydrophobia. And, next, this little boy must be given Pasteur treatment with the wonderful serum used to prevent hydrophobia, for hydrophobia means the most terrible suffering anybody could imagine. Of course, no one is quite certain that the dog was mad; for many a time a dog which has been nearly crazed with thirst, or been the victim of bad boys' pranks, has been thought mad.'
       " 'But this doggy wasn't mad,' the boy cried out, forgetting his pain. 'A bad boy was twisting his tail and the poor doggy thought I did it because I was near!'
       " 'Are you certain, little fellow?' asked the doctor.
       'Yes, sir, and after he bit me, a big man beat him with his cane, and the poor doggy ran yelping down the street. Oh, how you made my arm ache, Doctor!'
       " 'Poor boy!' said the doctor, 'I really had to hurt you.'
       " 'What should I have done, Doctor, if we had been miles from a physician?' asked the mother.
       " 'That's a good question,' replied Doctor Surerure. 'I will tell you the simplest treatment for an untrained person to use for a dog bite.

FOR DOG BITE
       Whether there is danger of hydrophobia or not. if bite is on the limb, tie a cloth tightly around limb between wound and body, and encourage bleeding by squeezing. Wash with soap and hot water. Apply iodine. Loosen cloth in an hour.
       If there is the slightest danger of hydrophobia, get patient to a doctor! If impossible to get a doctor, apply nitrate of silver, or pure earbolic acid with a soft stick. But it seems that there are few places where a doctor cannot be consulted within twenty-four hours, -- who will see that the patient is given Pasteur treatment to prevent hydrophobia from developing.

"It wasn't you, Michael old boy!"

       "Well, I am certainly glad to learn that, my son," said Private Brave's mother. "We had a terrible fright the day the little boy was bitten, for somebody said that our Mike did it."
       "What!" exclaimed Private Brave. "Did anybody dare accuse this most faithful and wonderfully brave dog-member of the Brave family?"
       Mike had been lying at his young master's feet; in fact, he hadn't left him since he came home not even to eat his dinner. On hearing his name, Mike stood up, wagging his tail so hard that you would have thought it would drop off unless it was nailed on.
       He looked inquiringly upon the family, his mouth open and his intelligent brown eyes questioning what all this talk meant.
       "It wasn't you, Michael, old boy, good old fellow!" exclaimed Ibee, petting him.
       "Bow! Bow!" barked Mike, and Ibee declared he smiled.
       "Well," said Private Brave, "that was-" lie didn't finish the sentence, for at that instant the next door neighbor came running into the room.
       "Oh, come, Miss Shesa!" she exclaimed. "My baby's dying she's swallowed poison."

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, The Mad Dog,  18, 19 

The Poisoned Baby

"Bring a glass of water and some vinegar"

       Shesa hastened away with the neighbor, for she knew that any delay might cost the baby's life. She could hear the little girl's agonizing screams.

       "Ibee, run for the doctor," she called. "We must work until the doctor comes," she said to the distracted mother. She was wise enough to realize that it would be best to keep the mother busy.

       ''What kind of poison do you know?" asked Shesa anxiously, as they ran up the steps of the porch.

       "Lye," answered the mother briefly. ''The maid was scrubbing the kitchen steps, and left the can of lye on the floor. Baby came along, saying 'dink, dink,' and before Sally Ann could get into the door, baby had swallowed a mouthful. It couldn't have been very strong, for Sally Ann had filled up the can with water."

       Shesa took the baby on her lap and looked into its poor little burnt mouth.

       "Bring a glass of water and some vinegar." she ordered. When they came, she diluted the vinegar with water giving the baby a teaspoonful at a time.

       "Bring the juice of a lemon," she said. This she diluted, giving it to the baby in the same way.

       It must have stopped some of the suffering, for the little one began to seem more comfortable.

       "Now, the beaten white of an egg in water," she said at length. Of this she gave the baby a tablespoonful; then a tablespoonful of olive oil, holding its little mouth shut to make it swallow.

       By the time the doctor arrived, the baby had fallen asleep on Shesa's lap.

       ''You have saved this baby's life, Miss Brave," said the doctor. " If it hadn't been for prompt action, the child might have died."

"You have saved this baby's
life," Miss Brave.

       "People are so careless with poisons," he went on. "Poisons should never be placed within the reach of little children. All bottles should be labeled plainly, and the stoppers should be tied about with a piece of gauze not very attractive, I admit, but one of the best safeguards against making a mistake as to the 'right bottle.' Poisons should not be kept in the general medicine closet, but in a place by themselves unless we except iodine, which has such a decided odor that it may be kept in a more accessible place, ready for its many uses."

       After complimenting Shesa again on her treatment of the baby, and leaving some medicines for both the baby and the baby's mother, the doctor went away.

       Shesa was met by her mother as she started home.

       "We are all so anxious, dear," she said, "to learn how the baby is."

       "The baby's all right," smiled Shesa.

       "How thankful Ima will be!" exclaimed her mother. "It brings tears to my eyes to see how interested that dear boy is in everybody, thinking so little about his own misfortunes. Think of a young man just at his age losing an arm!"

       "Father told me that last night when he tried to express a little sympathy, Ima said, 'Well, Father, it is a loss; but you know, I have one arm left!' Shesa replied.

       "Wasn't that wonderful!" exclaimed Mrs. Brave.

       "It certainly is wonderful how bravely he takes his troubles," replied Shesa. "Father said he thought that it really required more bravery to fed that way than to go to the battlefield."

       By this time they had reached home, and Sheaa, had to tell everybody about the saving of the life of the poisoned baby.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, The Poisoned Baby,  19 

The original paper doll set of Mary Frances, hospital staff, police officers, and patients

       Now our young readers can print and cut out their very own set of Mary Frances Helpem and friends to play with whenever they would like to! Be sure to click directly on the images in order to download the largest file available. These paper dolls are not to be sold or uploaded to any other website; they are derivative, copyrighted works.

• How to cut stands for your paper dolls
• More about old paper dolls and how these were made
• Another set of paper dolls restored and redrawn by kathy grimm here
• Additional hospital artifacts for 18'' dolls here.

Officer Arrestem Chief of Police, Doctor QuickenQuack Interne Physician, Doctor Surecure Resident Physician,
 and Miss Helpem (Mary Frances) Assistant Nurse

Mrs. Brave and Hesa Brave.

Officer McStoppen assistant Chief of Police, Soami Brave, Ibee Brave, Shesa Brave and Ima Brave
Private Brave of U.S. Army.

The Hikers

       The assistant nurse had very little time for the next lesson in the boys' class, so she gave them only notes in the morning, promising the practice games at four o'clock in the afternoon. After telling them of this plan, she began the lesson.

       "Probably you boys have never thought of the fact that the little pipes and larger tubes which carry the blood may be broken under the skin," Miss Helpem said. "When the blood gathers in dark purplish spots underneath the unbroken skin, you have what is called a bruise or contusion.

BRUISES (CONTUSIONS)

(See Reference List)

       "Black and blue" spots which result from bleeding under the skin are caused by falls or blows, or pinching (as in door or window).

Treatment:

       Apply cold water or ice wrapped in a cloth, or an ice bag, or bathe with half water and half alcohol, or witch hazel, or arnica.

       If an arm or finger, hold up over the head.

       If severe, after the pain and swelling have lessened, use hot applications, wringing cloths out of hot water, changing them as they cool, use a hot-water bag.

       For ''black eye," bathe with ice-cold water, or use cloths wrung out of water as hot as can be borne.

       Massage gently for discoloration.

NOTE. Never open a blood blister apply hot water.

SPRAINS

(See Reference List)

Sprains should be treated as soon as possible by a physician, but while waiting for the doctor, use cold water applications. If cold water does not relieve the pain in an hour's time, try hot water. Do not attempt to use the sprained joint.

STINGS AND BITES OF INSECTS

(See Reference List)

For stings of bees and bites of spiders, apply any of the following list:

• Mud
• Slice of onion
• Household ammonia
• Paste made of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
• Spirit of camphor

       Miss Helpem paused. "While we are thinking about insects," she said, "I wish to speak of filthy flies.

Keep flies out of food and off of baby's bottle.

THE FILTHY FLIES

       If you could look at the bottom of a fly's foot under the microscope, you would see thousands of the most disgusting germs, particularly of the dreaded typhoid fever.

       Please remember that it is far more important to prevent disease than to cure so do all that you can to keep flies out of the house, out of food, off the baby's bottle and body. Just looking at this picture shows you a little of what must go into baby's mouth after the fly has stolen a bit of baby's breakfast. How many of you promise to do everything you can to reduce the number of flies in this 

beautiful country of ours by destroying them and by removing their breeding places, which are in manure piles?"

       Every boy's hand shot up.

       " Thank you," smiled the assistant nurse. "I can see that the boys of this class an' to be real soldiers of health for this entire community."

       "Please, Miss Helpem," said Ibee Brave, "there are two more animals I would like to learn something about. One is the mosquito, and the other is fleas."

       The boys laughed.

       ''Not animals Ibee, insect." corrected Miss Helpem.

       "We will not have time to speak at length of the mosquito, for that would make a whole lesson in itself, but I do want to say that mosquitoes are the cause of some of our worst diseases, for they carry disease germs from one person's blood into another's. To destroy them, kerosene oil should be sprayed or sprinkled or poured on the surface of any stagnant water; for mosquito babies (wigglers) live in stagnant (standing) water. Please remember this: one old tin tomato can half full of water will be an ample amount to supply a whole neighborhood with young mosquitoes in a short time, so overturn any old tins you see, just to help in a good cause."

       "Now, Ibee," she continued, after a slight pause, "I will tell you

HOW TO RID A HOUSE OF FLEAS

       Dust naphtha flakes* all over the floors. Leave twenty-four hours, if possible, then sweep up and sprinkle the sweepings with kerosene to destroy the eggs before throwing away.

       "I say, fellows," sang out Ibee Brave, after the class was dismissed, "let's go on a hike like any good scouts. Gee, I wish I were twelve years old, so I could be a boy scout!"

       "We treat you just as if you were one. Let's go over to the river bank," suggested their patrol leader. At the signal, off they started over the hills of the sand-pile of Mary Frances' playroom, coming at length to Painted River and Looking Glass Lake, on which floated the toy ducks and swans which Mary Frances' little friend Eleanor had given her for a Christmas present.

       When they re-assembled at four o'clock, the assistant nurse was surprised at their appearance, for several swollen faces were plastered in blotches of mud. 

"You must have had good treatment."

        "We don't need any practice games," commented one of the boys.

       "We have had real practical practice," explained their leader.

       "I should judge you had," said Miss Helpem, looking over the group. "Do tell me what happened."

       "When we left here, we started on a hike to the river.' went on the leader, "and after we had rested a little while, we began a game of baseball. Tom Holden was catcher, and somehow when he leaned over to fasten his shoe, bang! the ball went into his eye an accident, of course."

       "At first I thought it had put my eye out," said Tom, "but the fellows used 'first aid' immediately."

       "I never saw a 'black eye' look better," praised the assistant nurse. "You must have had good treatment."

"I held my finger in it."

        "Next," continued the leader, "I raised a blood blister on my finger, splitting kindling wood for a camp fire. The fellows made some water hot on the fire, and I held my finger in it - but if it hadn't been that we were 'first aiders,' I wouldn't have noticed a little thing like that."

       "And last of all," said Ibee Brave, "I stepped into a hornets' nest!"

       "I can imagine the rest of the story," smiled Miss Helpem. "And I can understand why you haven't clean faces!"

       "But you can't imagine how grand it was to know 'what to do,' " protested Ibee Brave through swollen lips.

       "Well, boys," said the assistant nurse, "after this day's happenings, I think we will not need any practice games. I'm very glad nothing really serious occurred, and that your first-aid knowledge prevented suffering."

       "Say, Miss Helpem, you wouldn't mind not saying anything to the other class about the things that happened, would you? We might just pass it off without much explanation, you know."

       "I promise secrecy!" laughed the assistant nurse.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, The Hikers, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 

Safety First

       We girls get our second lesson before you boys do!" declared little Soami to her brother Ibee at the lunch table the next day.

       "I bet you don't have as much fun as we do!" answered Ibee.

       "What is the next lesson about?" asked their father.

       " It's about Safety First," replied Ibee. " I know that."

       "Yes," agreed Soami, "but," glancing at the clock, "I'll be late to class if I don't hurry. Mother, will you excuse me?"

       Her mother nodded and smiled, and Soami left hastily. 

"Well, girls, today we have a more serious time."

       "Well, girls," began Miss Helpem, "today we have a more serious time, for we're going to learn, in Lesson II, What to Do in Case of Slight Cuts and Pin Pricks; Slight Burns and Scalds; Frost Bites.

       "Now, as you know, almost every accident could be avoided if we thought ahead far enough; if we did not let the knife or needle slip; if we did not allow little children to carry scalding hot water or lighted lamps, or to play with matches; if we looked up and down the street before crossing. Yes, almost all accidents are avoidable if we think far enough ahead if we think 'Safety First.' "

       Miss Helpem paused. "All ordinary everyday accidents," she went on, "if treated rightly, will give but slight trouble; but if not treated rightly may bring much suffering to the victim, and even

cause 'blood poisoning' and death.

       "So you see how necessary it is to understand 'What to Do.'

       "Now, these serious dangers do not come from the slight accidents themselves, but because of uncleanliness."

       Again the assistant nurse paused, and she could not help smiling at the look of astonishment on the faces of her girl dolls.

       "It is true, girls," she continued; "cleanliness is the rarest thing in the world, and I will tell you why: because everywhere about us, in the dust, in the air, on our clothing, on our hands, in standing water, on the floor, on the ground everywhere, even though we cannot see them, are there are germs.

GERMS

       These little living particles are too small to be seen without a microscope, but they cause more disease and deaths than any of the big animals you are afraid of like lions or bears or tigers. They make great deep sores out of little cuts, and prevent wounds from healing. So you can readily understand how necessary it is to keep all materials which touch broken skin perfectly clean, and they cannot be clean if touched by the hands. Neither is any material clean which has come in contact with dust.

       Understanding this, your aim will be to keep germs out of any wound. If you do not have a first-aid outfit, you should have on hand a small package of sterile gauze.* Sterile means perfectly free from germs. Any cloth which has been washed and ironed is quite safe, however, if it has not been used. You see. heat kills germs. Use next to the wound the surface which has been folded inside.

       Do not think that every germ does evil, for some germs are good just as some people are bad and some are good. Indeed, we depend for some kinds of food upon the action of certain good germs. Among such foods are cheese and vinegar.

* Sterile gauze is cheesecloth which has horn so treated that it is free of germs and is very absorbent. It is sold at all drug stores. It should be kept closely wrapped, and the surface should never be touched with the hands before it is placed on a wound.
   If you do not have sterile gauze, keep old linen or cotton cloth which has been well washed and ironed in glass jars, which have been boiled and dried in the air without wiping.

       The disease germs which we dread most in cases of wounds are the germs of blood-poisoning and lockjaw (or tetanus). They are everywhere about us, in standing water, air, dust. They cannot do

a bit of harm to the outside of the body, if the skin is unbroken no more than a fly can do to the armor of some old knight. But if they can enter where the skin is broken, they begin to do all kinds of harm, which sometimes results in months of suffering from "infected" wounds, and sometimes finally causes the patient to lose a leg or an arm or perhaps to die.

       "We have spent a great deal of time on the subject of germs, children," continued Miss Helpem, "because unless you really understand how necessary cleanliness is, you may not be particular to have clean materials."

       "And clean hands," suggested Soami.

       "Yes," smiled the nurse, "Soami has noticed the nurses at the hospital washing their hands for five minutes in order to have them truly clean before attending to a dressing on a patient."

       The little girl looked around proudly upon the class.

       "Can't we begin the first-aid games now?" asked one of the group.

       "Not yet," the nurse shook her head. "Wait, please, until you have learned what to do for slight cuts and pin pricks.

SLIGHT CUTS AND PIN PRICKS

       The bleeding from a slight cut is never very severe and will generally stop of itself in a short time. It is best to let a slight cut bleed a little, as the bleeding carries away the germs which may have been on the edge of the knife or whatever caused the wound.

Treatment:

       Touch slight cuts with tincture of iodine;* or with alcohol; or vinegar and water, half and half; or salt and water, a half teaspoonful of salt to a cup of water.

       Wrap with clean gauze.

       In cases of severe hemorrhage (bleeding) send immediately for a doctor. Stop bleeding by using pressure above or below wound, or by bandaging a gauze compress on the wound.

       Never give whiskey or alcohol in any form. It makes hemorrhages worse. See Reference List.

BURNS AND SCALDS
(See Reference List)

       Apply carron oil. See List of Medicines.

       If carron oil is not at hand, use any dressing f to cover surface to keep out the air as lard, butter, olive oil or sprinkle with baking soda, or cover with white of egg, or with a paste made of starch or flour and water. Also spread on compress of some of the same remedy that has been applied to the burn. Hold compress in place with a loose bandage.

       Solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) made by dissolving as much soda as possible in hot water (about one teaspoonful to a cup) is particularly relieving to scalds. Dip cloths into this and apply to the burned surface. Never remove skin from blisters. If blisters are large, see the doctor.

* Soldiers on active service carry iodine to be applied to wounds immediately, if possible to kill germs. Iodine is a poison if swallowed, so be careful not to leave it within the reach of small children.

   Important Note. Dressings are everything applied to a wounded or sore surface. A compress is the dressing which is placed directly upon the wound. It is usually made of clean new gauze. A bandage is the dressing which holds the compress (or other dressings) in place.

Compresses are used to:

1. Hold medication in place.
2. Protect sore place.
3. Stop bleeding.

HOW TO PUT OUT FLAMES

       Caution. If your clothing catches fire, do not run! Roll (in a rug, if possible) on the floor or ground!

       In putting out fire on another person's clothing, use rugs or blankets. In throwing a rug on another person, be careful not to allow your own clothing to catch fire. Let the sufferer lie down and roll. Stand in back of the rug, and throw from the head downward. If in a burning building, creep to the door on hands and knees to avoid the smoke.

TO AVOID ACCIDENTS FROM FIRE

1. Children should not make bonfires without the aid of older persons.
2. Matches should be kept out of reach of small children.
3. Children should be taught to be careful of open fireplaces.
4. Children should be taught to roll if their clothing catches fire. This would save scores of lives in a year.
5. Safety First. Look ahead! See the danger before the accident!

FROST BITES

       When nose, ears, hands or feet are exposed to intense cold they often become frost-bitten, turning purple at first. If frozen thoroughly, they turn waxy white; then no pain is felt, because the nerves

are frozen.

Treatment:

1. Keep patient in cold room.
2. Do not warm frozen parts quickly. Instead, rub with snow or bathe with ice water until a tingling pain is felt; then stop. 
3. If frozen parts are warmed too quickly, "gangrene" may result, or perhaps the sudden heat may cause

CHILBLAINS

       Chilblains are the result of too rapid warming of cold parts, generally feet or fingers. Sometimes for years after being frost-bitten, exposure to severe cold will produce itching and burning, and perhaps swelling and ulcers.

Treatment:

Rub with turpentine or alcohol. The rubbing in itself is excellent. See doctor.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Safety First, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 

Practice Games

       That is all the lecture part of today's lesson," smiled Miss Helpem. "Now, for the practice."

       She made a gesture toward Shesa Brave, who came forward, and together they lifted before the class the tiny medicine cabinet which Mary Frances' Aunt Maria had given her for her Dolls' Hospital.

       "Let me see," said Miss Helpem. "Yes, we have everything here, I believe. Girls, you may all come look."

       The dolls I mean, girls gathered around the little glass closet and compared the labeled bottles and packages with the list given them in the previous lesson.

       They were delighted with the beautiful cleanliness of the closet its bright glass door and white shelves and shining enamel frame.

       "Now," continued Miss Helpem, "please divide into groups of two. That will make five groups. We will play that one girl in each group is the mother, and the other her child. The child has cut her hand while slicing bread. Mothers, what will you do? What will be your first-aid treatment?"

       Mary Frances I mean, Miss Helpem was delighted with the girls' answers and with the way in which they sought out the iodine bottle, and wrapped the supposed injury with narrow gauze.

       "In the next practice game, the 'child' acts as mother and 'mother' as 'child,' "' said the assistant nurse. "This time the 'child's' clothing has caught fire from a spark which snapped out of the fireplace." The girls laughed.

       The nurse smiled. ''Girls," she said, " these games may make you feel like laughing, but please keep in mind how serious the real accident would be, and try to learn what to do. You will be so much better able to live useful lives."

       You see, Mary Frances didn't quite remember that they were only dolls. Even so, they have served a very useful purpose if they only teach the readers of this book some of their lessons.

       "Ready, now, for practice," said the nurse. "Girl No. 2 of each group is to act as a little daughter whose frock has caught fire."

       The girls remembered not to run, and "pretended" to smother out the flames.

       "That was so well done," said Miss Helpem, "that no one was severely burned, so we'll merely have to treat for slight burns."

       The "mother" girl from each group went to Shesa Brave for carron oil, which she applied on gauze compresses to imaginary hurt fingers.

       Then they reversed parts again, and played the "child" had frosted her fingers. The "mother" girls rubbed the fingers with imaginary snow, gradually restoring the circulation of the blood in then "frozen" parts. 

       Throughout all their fun the girls acted in a serious, purposeful manner.

       "I'm not so certain that boys would 'play in earnest," said Miss Helpem to Shesa.

       "I think they would," replied the young girl. "I'm certain Ibee is just as interested as Soami," which pleased the assistant nurse more than I can tell you.

Wrapped the supposed injury with narrow gauze.

 Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, Practice Games,  9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 

Lessons In First Aid

Miss Helpem was talking with Shesa Brave.

       Miss Helpem," said the head nurse to her assistant, "how would it be for you to take charge of Miss Brave's children's classes, with her help, of course? If you think well of that arrangement, I will take the adult class, and leave the children's instructions to you."

       "Nothing could please me better, Miss Bossem," answered Mary Frances (I mean, Miss Helpem). "I dearly love dolls oh, I meant to say, children."

       Miss Bossem laughed. "Perhaps you'll grow up some day," she teased.

       "How would you like to assist me with the children's lessons?"

       Miss Helpem was talking with Shesa Brave.

       "Oh, do you really think I would be able to do that?" asked Shesa, delighted.

       "Yes," answered the nurse, "Miss Bossem and I feel quite certain you can be a great help in showing the boys and girls what you learn in the women's class."

       "I never felt so proud in my life!" declared the young girl, hugging her first-aid kit close in her arms.

       So it came about that when Mary Frances dolls gathered together for their lessons, it was Mary Frances herself dressed in the spotless white uniform, with the red cross on the arm and cap, of the American Red Cross Society, who gave their first lesson.

FIRST LESSON IN FIRST AID TO THE INJURED:

       "Good morning, children," she began. "We will imagine all kinds of troubles and accidents this morning, and we will not be a bit gloomy over them, for our thoughts will all be on how we can help the sick and hurt people."

       "Please, Miss Helpem, can't I be the soldier?" begged Ibee Brave.

       "And can't I pretend to drive the field ambulance?" asked little Jack.

       "And can't I be run over?" asked another boy.

       "Mercy, children," exclaimed the nurse, please wait for an explanation and in the next lesson, I'll assign you all something to do. Now, ready with your note-books and pencils to take down the list of articles needed for the medicine closet. You will learn what they are to be used for later. Keep the list and show it to your parents when you get home. Now write as I dictate.

MEDICINE CLOSET: In every home there should be a certain closet or shelf high above little children's reach, where the medicines and articles needed in emergencies are kept. Among these should be found, plainly labeled, the following:

1. Tincture of Iodine.
2. Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia.
3. Boric Acid Powder.
4. Stearate of Zinc.
5. Pure Alcohol.
6. Lime Water.
7. Carron Oil.
8. Epsom Salt.
9. Soda Mint and Pepsin Tablets.
10. Baking Soda.
11. Household Ammonia.
12. Adhesive (Zinc Oxide) Plaster.
13. Tube Vaseline.
14. Capsicum Vaseline.
15. Peroxide of Hydrogen.
16. Castor Oil.
17. Witch Hazel.
18. Essence of Ginger.
19. Syrup of Ipecac.
20. Spirit of Camphor.
21. Sweet Spirit of Nitre.
22. Boric Acid Ointment.
23. Powdered Alum.
24. Borax.
25. Spiced Syrup of Rhubarb.
26. Picric Acid Gauze.
27. Aromatic Smelling Salts.
28. Oil of Cloves.
29. Normal Salt Solution.
30. Powdered Mustard.
31. Essence of Peppermint.
32. Tincture of Arnica.
33. Oil of Turpentine.
34. Aseptic Absorbent Cotton.
35. Sterile Gauze.
36. Triangular Bandages.
37. Roller Bandages.
38. Rubber Ear Syringe.
39. Fountain Syringe.
40. Measuring Glass.
41. Eye Dropper.
42. Hot Water Bottle.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Lessons In First Aid,  7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 

       The children wrote very quietly and listened attentively to what Miss Helpem told them about being prepared for Ordinary Household Accidents, such as cuts, burns, scalds, bruises, stings, etc.

       "Children," beamed Miss Helpem as they finished writing the list, "I never dreamed you could be so interested. Why, not one of you has been inattentive! Now, as a reward, I shall show you how to fold a drinking glass from a piece of paper."

Fold a drinking cup just like Miss Helpen suggests by vinagurl.

The Real Cross Nurses

       Come," she added, "this excitement will never do for Mr. Brave. Everybody leave the room, and everybody go to bed and take a nap."

       "I don't want to," began Ibee. "I want but at that moment, Miss Bossem, who was passing, came into the room.

       "Why, what does this mean?" she asked crisply, gazing around. "How does it happen, Miss Helpem, that all these people are in the invalid's room? Everyone who comes in must have permission."

       "Well, I am surprised!" exclaimed Mrs. Brave. "As though I'd have to ask permission!"

"Why, what does this mean?"

       "Well," replied Miss Bossem, in a very decided manner, "everybody who stays in this hospital must obey the rules. Miss Helpem, will you kindly see that the children are put to bed, and I will take Mrs. Brave to her room."

       "I'm no child," began Mrs. Brave, "I'm an older woman than you, and I've had

       "Do you intend to risk your husband's life any further?" asked Miss Boesem, lifting her eyebrows and speaking in a low, icy tone.

       "Poor wife" began Mr. Brave.

       "See!" said Miss Bossem. "He's already too excited to rest tonight without some medicine."

       "Oh, dear," whispered Mrs. Brave, "I'm so sorry!" Then aloud: "Miss Nurse, I'm real tired. I think I need a nap. Good-bye, dear, I'm going to my room you take a nap, too."

       "Well," said Miss Bossem to Miss Helpem, "I did succeed in making Mrs. Brave see how dangerous it was to excite the patient, but my, I don't like to be so cross!"

       "I just had to be firm with the children, too," replied the assistant nurse. "But Shesa's a dear, and has extraordinary good sense. She is going to form a class in Red Cross first-aid work."

       "Yes, and we'll give the instructions," said Miss Bossem; "that is, if you are willing."

       "Of course," answered Miss Helpem, "but what I meant to tell you is that Miss Shesa is going to form a class for children."

       "What a lovely idea!" exclaimed Miss Bossem, passing on into the clinic.

"Can't I go too, Doctor?"

       "Doctor, I'm getting quite tired of being here," complained little Ibee to Doctor Surecure, when he met him in the corridor one day about three weeks later. "Of course it's dandy to see so many banged-up people, but I'm nearly well. My arm aches only on rainy days, and I can wiggle my ringers fine."

       "Good," smiled the doctor. "I'm thinking myself that we'll be parting with some of the Brave family soon. Your mother and sisters are to leave us Saturday."

       "Can't I go, too, Doctor? Can't I?" begged the little boy.

       "Why, that's a pretty way to talk," replied the doctor. "Don't you like us?"

       "Oh, sure," said Ibee, "but the fellows miss me a lot, you know."

       "Why, what will your poor father do without any of you?" teased Doctor Quickenquack, who happened to be passing.

       "Oh, I'll come see him every day," said Ibee. "He'll love to hear all about home. Can't I go?"

       "We'll think it over," said Doctor Quickenquack.

       "And if we do decide to let you go," added Doctor Surecure, "you must promise not to try to take off your bandage."

       "Oh, I promise," said Ibee. "Doctor Quickenquack said that if I let my arm be in it long enough, I'd be able to play baseball again; and besides, I want to show it to the fellows."

       "But you'll not pitch ball for some time to come, young man," laughed the doctor.

       So Mrs. Brave and the children were soon in their own home, leaving poor Mr. Brave in the hospital. By the time Mr. Brave was able to return, walking with a crutch, they had formed three first-aid classes. Mrs. Brave's was for grown-up ladies, and of this Shesa was a member. Shesa herself, with Soami and Ibee's help, had formed two others; one for Boy Scouts, and one for Camp Fire Girls.

Introduction: Chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, The Real Cross Nurses,  6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19