Head Injuries

Injuries to the head are unfortunately increasingly common in this motorised age. One danger not sufficiently emphasised in many manuals on first aid is that of death from the inhalation of vomit or blood. The victim of a head injury is often unconscious and head injuries are frequently followed by vomiting. There may also be bleeding inside the mouth or throat. It is of the utmost importance to prevent the accidental inhalation of either blood or vomited matter into the windpipe and lungs as this may have the direst consequences.
This is liable to happen if the injured person is allowed to lie on his back. No time, therefore, should be lost in gently turning the casualty on one side with the head down and the jaws propped open to ensure a clear airway and allow blood or vomit to run out of the mouth. This position must be maintained until the patient is safely passed over to expert surgical care.
Any injury to the head must be taken seriously, even if after such injury the patient is able to walk and makes no very great complaint. A period of quiet, preferably lying down, and of constant observation is called for, a watch being kept for alteration in pulse rate or in
respiration, inequality of pupils, onset of headache
, episodes of vomiting, twitchings of muscles or dulling of consciousness. Expert opinion is essential for proper assessment of the patient's condition. Damage to the brain or blood vessels in the skull may necessitate urgent surgical intervention.
Immediately following the injury, whether loss of consciousness has occurred or not, give ARNICA 30 half-hourly for five or six doses. When the patient has regained consciousness other remedies
may be needed. If there are signs of irritation within the skull, stiffness of neck muscles, dilated pupils, spasms or twitchings of muscles, mental confusion, give CICUTA 30 three times or twice a day till relief is obtained. If there is pain at the back of the head with great heaviness of the eyelids and tremulousness of limbs, give GELSEMIUM 30.
Should headache or other symptoms persist NATRUM SULPHURICUM 30 should be given. This remedy is also of proven value when there is a story of a head injury with concussion in the past, even the remote past, whether the present symptoms
appear to have any connection with the traumatic episode
or not. A few doses of the remedy may clear up the symptoms and restore health in a surprising way.