Morphine
Morphine is the standard accepted analgesic carried as part of the medical kit of planes, ships and by the military. A very powerful painkiller, usually given by injection, it is excellent for treating casualties in great pain and minimizes the effect of shock, but it has several side effects.
It depresses the breathing, indeed may stop it altogether. It causes nausea, so it should NOT be given to patients already likely to be affected with these symptoms.
Morphine comes in tubonic ampules which contain 10 – 15 mg. The needle is fixed and can be self-injected. Choose the largest muscle available for the injection. If self-administered, it should be injected in the upper quadrant of the thigh. If injecting a patient, the upper outer quadrant of the buttocks is an ideal spot.
Use Morphine for:
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Serious Burns
- Abdominal injury of a straightforward perforation by a sharp object
Do Not Give Morphine To:
- People with respiratory difficulties, such as head and chest wounds
- Snake-bit victims (snake venom affects the respiratory system)
- Children or pregnant women
- Casualties who have lost a lot of blood
- Crush type injuries with suspected internal damage
Warning: Morphine can be lethal! An over dosage of morphine will kill. Do NOT repeat a dosage for at LEAST Three (3) hours. Once a patient has been injected, record the time and dosage, preferably on the forehead of the patient, and pin the empty syrette to their collar.
Temegesic Tablets
These are an alternative to morphine. They are slower to take effect but they can be used when morphine cannot, when there are abdominal wounds, for example. They are placed under the tongue and should not be chewed or swallowed. Give One (1) tablet for moderate pain and Two (2) for severe pain. However, not more than Four (4) times per day. These tablets can produce drowsiness and hallucinations. Do NOT give to children or pregnant women.
Drugs For Minor Pain
Aspirin and paracetamol are the best drugs for general pain relief. Aspirin will also help control fever in flu-like illnesses. Do NOT give aspirin to people prone to indigestion, stomach ulcer, etc. – it can cause irritation to, and bleeding from, the lining of the stomach.
10 Simple Medicinal Herbs
An interesting fact about most modern medicines is that they have expiration dates. So, in addition to being expensive they may not be as effective as needed depending on when they’re used. However, if you can keep your own naturally recurring supply on hand, there’s no need to worry about the timing. Here is a list of Ten (10) plants to keep in your prepper medicinal garden. They are hardy, don’t require much space and will also add aviance to your environment:
- Aloe – useful for treating cuts, burns and rashes. Keep dry – too much moisture will cause root rot
- Basil – An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (inflammation causes aging), also boosts immune system
- Cayenne Pepper – Lowers blood pressure, can stop heart attacks, great for relieving congestion and headaches. Also useful as an insect repellent, especially ants.
- Ginger – Aids aching muscles and digestion – helps with an upset stomach
- Lavender – An anti-bacterial that can also subdue anxiety or stress. Very useful in creating relaxing aroma blends (e.g. Chamomile or Vanilla)
- Mint – Internally used to help an upset stomach; Externally used to relieve pain or itching from bites and stings
- Parsley – Aids the kidneys and bladder. Also used to reduce fever and remove toxins from the body
- Rosemary – Good for digestion and blood pressure. It can boost heart health and is a great herb for cooking meats, especially chicken.
- Sage – A sore throat remedy that fights bacteria, adds great flavor when cooked with chicken and removes negative energy from the air when burned.
- Thyme – Also good for digestion, helps reduce cold symptoms and coughs while simultaneously preventing parasites. It is also a good herb for cooking with beef, chicken and pork.
Of course, the best source of these herbs would be easily accessible and freshly grown in your own personal farm. By having your own personal source of food and herbs, you can address any immediate issues or emergencies you or your family may have, without having to rely on society’s modern conveniences which may, or may not be available.
Other Natural Alternatives
All of the above pain relief options are generally produced in modern facilities in an advanced society. During an emergency or a prolonged isolation from modern conveniences or emergency services, alternative methods will need to be used.
In an urban environment, it may be possible to obtain painkillers from pharmacies or supermarkets. However, during an emergency, you are likely to be competing against an entire anxious, and probably, not-so-friendly, mass of people. Of course, this increases the chances of confrontation and injury, only exacerbating the need for quality medical supplies.
In a suburban or rural environment, your chances of finding painkillers is reduced due to the relatively large distance between your home and the closest medical supply source. However, this doesn’t have to be a problem. In fact, being in these kinds of areas are of greater advantage than generally accepted.
Apart from being surrounded by a very large group of scared and bewildered people, which in itself is dangerous, the likelihood of natural remedies growing in your own backyard is quite high and therefore locally available.
What may seem like a weed and a nuisance during the spring and summer mowing season, could actually be an abundant source of natural painkillers as well as other remedies.
Our predecessors knew of techniques to utilize whatever was available in ways that made survival possible and all without the modern conveniences we take for granted today.
Take a look here and re-discover some of these techniques and Lost Ways that people knew how to treat the various ailments that were encountered in everyday life.
And once you have completed this series go here and check out the additional Lost Ways 2, which completes the first series perfectly.