Director, Emergency Services, Bikur Cholim Hospital
Recently, we saw a cat bite at Tel HaShomer and I had the
opportunity to speak to the people at Misrad HaBriut. the
Ministry of Health. It seems that due to poor supervision and
the cleanliness among our neighbors in the West Bank, there
is now nowhere in the country where rabies has not been seen.
It behooves me to warn all, again, that cat bites must be
considered for rabies, and one must instruct one's children
not to play with these ubiquitous animals. Furthermore,
children seem to gravitate to sick and dead animals. These,
too, are dangerous and parents should not allow children to
play in this manner.
Let me spend a minute on electricity. The country runs on 220
volts and a child sticking fingers into a socket will get a
nasty shock, but it is unlikely to do any damage. One should
try to cover up sockets with special plastic devices which
are sold in hardware stores.
Sticking metallic objects into sockets or using electrical
appliances in the bathroom is really dangerous. Usually, if
you take an appliance to the mikva and then try to
plug it in before it dries out you will not get a shock but
rather blow your fuses. Play it safe — wait a few days.
Also keep electrical cords away from wet places.
Another problem is children chewing on electrical wires,
which can cause a bad burn at the side of the mouth, which is
a plastic surgeon's nightmare.
People who have received an electric shock and are
unconscious must be dealt with immediately. Do not forget
that there may be injuries from falls as a result of the
shock. DC current, such as in a car, is less dangerous than
AC, which is household current.
When approaching such victims, use a nonconductor such as a
wooden pole to remove the victim from the electrical source,
if it is still active. There may be no more than a small red
spot on the skin even though there is extensive under the
skin damage, for the simple reason that electricity is better
conducted by the soft tissues than by the skin.
Lightning is a massive DC-current electrical shock that is
over quickly. It travels over 180,000 miles per second. If
one survives the shock, there may be very little injury. If
one does have a heart stoppage, immediate CPR can save the
person's life. Lightning is attracted by metal objects, and
trees. If you are in the house, stay away from electrical
appliances, and if you are outside, a car is a very safe
place. The electrical charge will go over the car but not
penetrate. In a field, the safest thing is to lie down. If
you are the highest thing, you will attract the bolt.
Write me in care of the Yated.
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