hypothermia and infection prevention

[Alan Halcon]

Well, trying to make good on my word, I would like to submit a couple of articles I wrote for "Wilderness Way" Magazine

http://thehanddrill.com/sweetblood.html

http://www.dirttime.com/bigchill.html

Each one of these articles deal with some of the most common back country emergencies

I hope you enjoy

Alan

[OLLIE]

I enjoyed these articles immensely. THen I found myself going through all the other articles linked on those pages. Great information. Thanks.

[BlueFJ]

Good info! I used to work on a llama ranch. We had a llama who had prolapsed her uterus after giving birth and the vet instructed us to coat the uterus with sugar to protect it and keep it from drying out until she could get there.

[gon2srf]

Good info! I used to work on a llama ranch. We had a llama who had prolapsed her uterus after giving birth and the vet instructed us to coat the uterus with sugar to protect it and keep it from drying out until she could get there.

This advice seems to contradict the fact that sugar as described in the article, is purported to be hygroscopic (draws moisture from its surroundings).

Honey is hygroscopic (draws moisture from its surroundings) in nature. Bacteria that come into contact with honey lose their moisture content, through osmosis, to the surrounding honey and die.

Caution should be used with sugar placed directly on a “bleeding” wound as its hygroscopic ability may cause more bleeding.

[gon2srf]

Thanks for the information and links, very informative.

[BlueFJ]

Good info! I used to work on a llama ranch. We had a llama who had prolapsed her uterus after giving birth and the vet instructed us to coat the uterus with sugar to protect it and keep it from drying out until she could get there.

This advice seems to contradict the fact that sugar as described in the article, is purported to be hygroscopic (draws moisture from its surroundings).

Honey is hygroscopic (draws moisture from its surroundings) in nature. Bacteria that come into contact with honey lose their moisture content, through osmosis, to the surrounding honey and die.

Caution should be used with sugar placed directly on a “bleeding” wound as its hygroscopic ability may cause more bleeding.

Well, all I can say is that it worked. The vet arrived and was able to push the uterus back in and everything was fine. She had several more crias (that's what baby llamas are called) without complication.

[Alan Halcon]

was it to keep it from drying out or prevent infection? Something tells me it was to protect against infection. Of course, I wasn't there so I don't know.

Actually, one can also use salt on the wound. it has the same hygroscopic properties as sugar and honey, but I would reserve that method for someone you don't like, LOL.

Glad you guys liked the info.

[BlueFJ]

This was a number of years ago, but I believe it was to prevent it from drying out. Made sense at the time as having only a very thin layer of sugar could only absorb so much moisture and then create a a coating which would seal in the remaining moisture. ...And believe you me, it was no fun standing there holding a uterus.

[Alan Halcon]

okay! that sounds correct. there is a saturation point with the sugar. this is why when you use sugar it should be changed out after it turns into a viscous gel like substance.

in the case of the uterus, it seems the doc was able to visit soon and handle the emergency... it does make sense! of course the sugar loses its infection prevention qualities once it loses its ability to use osmotic pressure to kill off nasties.

Alan

[OLLIE]

Excuse me... I have to go hurl now.