HomeMy WebLinkAboutFallout Shelter Medical Kit Instructions 1962 q/
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE
Region 5
Denton, Texas
January 31, 1963
REGION 5 FIELD BULLETIN NO. 63 -6
TO State and Local Civil Defense Directors, Region 5
SUBJECT: Medical Shelter Supplies Subject to Freezing
It has been determined that the Kaolin. - Pectin, Eugenal, and Eye, Ear
and Nose Drops in Medical Kits are subject to freezing. Advice received
from the U. S. Public Health Service indicates that the contents are
generally not damaged unless the container is broken. There have been
some reports of breakage from freezing of the Kaolin- Pectin and the
Eye, Ear and Nose Drops.
Information has also been received from the manufacturer of the commode
chemicals which are packed in the Sanitation Kits that these chemicals
will jell at below freezing temperature; however, the plastic containers
are not likely to break even as a result of solid freezing.
An inspection is presently being made of both Medical and Sanitation Kits
to determine extent of damage. You will be advi;ed of the results of this
survey. Meanwhile, both Medical and Sanitation Kits should be protected
from exposure to temperatures below 32` F.
BILL PARKER
Regional Director
FALLOUT SHELTER
MEDICAL KIT
INSTRUCTIONS
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JULY 1962
• TO SHELTER MANAGERS
• FOR USE OF BASIC MEDICAL SUPPLIES
• FOR SPECIAL MEDICINES
•
To be used in conjunction with
FAMILY GUIDE
EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE
DEPT. OF DEFENSE DEPT. OF HEALTH,
OFFICE OF CIVIL DEFENSE
EDUCATION & WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
INSTRUCTIONS TO SHELTER MANAGERS
Basic medical and first -aid supplies are listed on pages 59 and 60 of
the "Family Guide — Emergency Health Care" enclosed in each
medical kit. General broad terms are used in listing these supplies.
Enclosed in each medical kit are "Treatment Procedure Instruc-
tions Concerning Basic Supplies." It lists the items, names the exact
products stockpiled by the Federal Government, and the use of the
items in treating various symptoms.
In addition to the basic medical and first -aid supplies listed in the
"Family Guide ", there are special medicines available. They are:
Penicillin G— Sulfadiazine— Phenobarbital
These medicines will be used for the following purposes:
1. To save life.
2. To prevent the spread of disease to other shelter occupants.
3. To prevent and control emotional problems.
4. To treat symptoms of disease, to shorten its duration and prevent
complications.
Ideally, the responsibility for using these medicines should be
reserved for a medical doctor or an osteopathic physician. However,
if you do not have a physician among the shelter occupants, persons
actively practicing an allied health profession may be given the re-
sponsibility. Choice of person should be made according to the
following, and in the order listed:
1. Dentists 2. Veterinarians 3. Registered Nurses 4. Phar-
macists 5. Licensed Practical nurses 6. Trained Medical
Corpsmen 7. Podiatrists 8. And also students of medicine,
osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
If none of the above persons are shelter occupants, the special
medicines should NOT be, used. Use of these medicines in treating
sickness by persons other than those listed is dangerous and could
bring about additional health problems.
Instructions for use of these special medicines are enclosed as
guidance for the allied health professional who might be called upon
to assume this responsibility.
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE OF BASIC MEDICAL SUPPLIES
The basic supplies are listed on pages 59 and 60 of the "Family
Guide — Emergency Health Care ".
1. Antiseptic solution —Soap, Surgical, with 2% Hexachlorophene
is in this kit. Washing with this bar of soap in the ordinary manner
can be used as a substitute for the use of antiseptic solution.
2. Aspirin tablets (5 grain) — Acetylsalicylic Acid tablets are in this
kit. Directions for use appear throughout the "Family Guide ".
3. Baking soda— Sodium Bicarbonate Powder is in this kit.
Uses:
a. Sore throat —as a gargle -1 teaspoonful of baking soda and 1
teaspoonful of salt (sodium chloride) to a pint of water (hot
water, if possible).
b. Stomach upsets -1 teaspoonful to a glass of water.
c. As antidote for poisons —see "Family Guide ".
d. Skin rashes and insect bites —see "Family Guide ".
e. For fluid replacement in the treatment of shock, extensive burns
and radiation sickness —see "Family Guide ".
4. Cough Mixture —Not included in this kit.
5. Diarrhea medication — Kaolin and Pectin Mixture is in this kit
for the treatment of diarrhea.
Dose: 4 teaspoonsful (' /z ounce) of mixture after each bowel
movement until diarrhea is controlled, but not to exceed 2 doses
an hour.
6. Ear drops —Eye, Ear and Nose Drops are, in this kit. It is a tri-
purpose medicine.
Dose: Eye, 1 drop Ear, 2 -4 drops (warm, if possible) Nose,
4 -6 drops in each nostril.
7. Laxative — Cascara sagrada extract tablets (4 grain) is in this kit.
Dose:
Adults, 1 - tablets at bedtime.
Children:
6 -12 years -1 tablet at bedtime.
2 -6 years -1/2 tablet at bedtime.
Under 2 years —Do not give.
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8. Motion sickness tablets —Not included in this kit.
9. Nose drops (water soluble) —See instruction 6, "Ear Drops" for
directions.
10. Petroleum jelly — Petrolatum, White, is in this kit.
Uses :
a. Lubrication of rectal tubes and rectal thermometers.
b. For care of dry, itchy skin.
11. Rubbing alcohol — Isopropyl alcohol is in this kit.
Uses:
a. Cleaning thermometers and sterilization — dilute 3 parts of alco-
hol with 1 part of water.
b. Reducing fever and alcohol rubs — dilute 1 part of alcohol with
2 parts of water.
32. Smelling salts —Not included in this kit.
13. Table salt — Sodium Chloride is in this kit.
Uses:
a. Sore throat —See Baking Soda.
b. Heat illness, eye irrigations, poisoning, mouth care in radiation
sickness —see "Family Guide ".
14. Toothache remedy — Eugenol is in this kit.
Uses: See "Family Guide ".
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INSTRUCTIONS FOR SPECIAL MEDICINES
Restriction on Use of Special Medicines
Responsibility for use of this medicine should be reserved for a
medical doctor or an osteopathic physician. If you do not have a
physician among the shelter occupants, persons actively practicing
an allied health profession may be given this responsibility. Choice
of person should be made according to the following, and in the order
listed.
1. Dentists 2. Veterinarians 3. Registered nurses 4. Phar-
macists 5. Licensed practical nurses 6. Trained medical
corpsmen '7. Podiatrists 8. Students of medicine, osteop•
athy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, nursing and pharmacy.
If none of the above persons are shelter occupants, this medicine
should NOT be used. Use of this medicine in treating sickness by
persons other than those listed is dangerous and could bring about
additional health problems.
Penicillin G Tablets— (250,000 units per tablet)
Precautions:
Before giving penicillin, READ THE LABEL and ask the person
the following:
Does the person have any known allergies? What are they? If he
has several, do not give the medicine.
Does he have a known allergy or reaction to penicillin: If, so, do
not give it. Instead, substitute sulfadiazine.
Instructions for Use
Initial treatment of sickness is described in the "Family Guide."
If the person does not show signs of getting better with the initial
treatment, then the special medicines available, of which penicillin is
is one, should be considered.
Ask the person about previous illnesses, their frequency, if they
were treated by sulfa drugs or penicillin and the duration of the
illness. If the person has a history of frequent infection (illnesses)
start treating him with sulfadiazine or penicillin. Choose the medi-
cine with which he was previously treated.
Penicillin may be given to a person who has two or more of the
following symptoms in addition to fever:
1. Fever — temperature of 103 °F or higher.
2. Chills —a persistent chilly sensation particularly when fol-
lowed by fever.
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3. Pain in chest particularly with coughing or breathing.
4. Cough —a persistent cough, a cough with mucus or a cough
with blood tinged or rusty colored mucus (sputum).
S. Rapid breathing— respirations that are 20 per minute or above.
6. Rapid pulse —a pulse rate of 90 per minute or above.
7. Cyanosis —skin color has a bluish tinge on lips and finger nails.
8. Severe sore throat — difficulty in swallowing and breathing.
Dose:
Adults, 2 tablets for the first dose —then 1 tablet every six hours
until the person is fever -free for 48 consecutive hours.
Children:
6 -12 years -1 tablet for the first dose —then 1/2 tablet every
six hours until the person is fever -free for 48 consecutive
hours.
Under 6 years -1/2 tablet for the first dose —then 1/4 tablet
every six hours until the person is fever -free for 48 consecu-
tive hours.
Discontinue
The medicines should be discontinued and consideration given to
administering sulfadiazine if one or more of the following symptoms
appear:
Nausea Vomiting Urticaria (hives) Rash Hema-
turia (blood in urine) Fever (if the temperature increases or
does not begin to subside after the drug has been taken for 24
hours.)
In most conditions, the medicine can be discontinued in 7 -10 days.
Sulfadiazine Tablets —gr. 7'
Precautions: Before giving sulfadiazine, READ THE LABEL and
ask the person the following:
Does the person have any known allergies? What are they? If he
has several, do not give the medicine.
Does he have any known allergy or reaction to sulfadiazine? If
so, do not give it. Instead, substitute penicillin.
Instructions for use
Initial treatment of sickness is described in the "Family Guide ".
If the person does not show signs of getting better with the initial
treatment, then the special medicines available, of which sulfadiazine
is one, should be considered.
Ask the person about previous illnesses, their frequency, if they
were treated by sulfa drugs or penicillin and the duration of the ill-
ness. If the person has a history of frequent infections (illnesses)
start treating him with sulfadiazine or penicillin. Choose the medi-
cine with which he was previously treated.
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Sulfadiazine may be given to a person who has two or more of the
following symptoms in addition to fever.
1. Fever — temperature of 103°E or higher.
2. Chills —a persistent chilly sensation particularly when followed
by fever.
3. Pain in chest particularly with coughing or breathing.
4. Cough —a persistent cough, a cough with mucus or a cough with
blood tinged or rusty colored mucus (sputum).
S. Rapid breathing— respirations that are 20 per minute or above.
6. Rapid pulse —a pulse rate of 90 per minute or above.
7. Cyanosis —skin color has a bluish tinge on lips and finger nails.
8. Severe sore throat — difficulty in swallowing and breathing.
Dose:
Adults, 6 tablets for t first dose —then 2 tablets every four hours
until the person is fever - free for 48 consecutive hours.
Children:
9 -12 years-4 tablets for first dose —then 1 tablet every three
hours until the person is fever -free for 48 consecutive hours.
6 -9 years -3 tablets for first dose —then 1 tablet every four
hours until the person is fever -free for 48 consecutive hours.
2-6 years-2 tablets for first dose —then 1 tablet every six hours
until the person is fever -free for 48 consecutive hours.
Under 2 years -1 tablet for first dose —then 1/2 tablet every six
hours until the person is fever -free for 48 consecutive hours.
Discontinue
The medicine should be discontinued and consideration given to
administering penicillin if one or more of the following symptoms
appear:
Nausea Vomiting Urticaria (hives) Rash Hema-
turia (blood in urine) Fever (if the temperature increases or
does not begin to subside after the drug has been taken for 24
hours.)
In most conditions, the medicine can be discontinued in 7 -10 days.
Phenobarbital - 1/2 grain tablets
Precautions: Before giving phenobarbital, READ THE LABEL
and ask the person if he has one of the following diseases. If he has,
and it is an advanced stage or has severe involvement, do not give the
medicine.
Do not give this medicine to persons with the following:
1. Advanced heart and kidney disease.
2. Cardiac (heart) failure.
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3. Diabetes.
4. Severe Anemia.
5. Impaired liver function or serious liver diseases.
Instructions for use
Phenobarbital should only be used when conservative methods have
failed. It can be used with caution for the relief of symptoms of
many kinds of illness. It can also be used for persons whose tensions
present an emotional problem affecting other shelter occupants.
Dose:
Adults —As treatment for the following:
1. Emotionally disturbed persons -1 tablet given three or four times
a day -4 hours apart.
2. For sleep -3 tablets (pills) given 1/2 hour before bedtime. If
person has had this medicine during the day, give only 1 tablet
at bedtime.
3. Severe coughs accompanying a cold —give 1/2 tablet every 3
hours. Aspirin may be given at the same time for relief of fever
and discomfort.
4. Pain -1 tablet every 4 hours. 1 or 2 aspirin tablets may be
given at the same time.
5. Abdominal Cramps -1 tablet four times a day —given every 4
hours. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) -1/2 teaspoonful
may be given with it.
6. Convulsions — Persons with a history of convulsions, who do not
have their special medicine with them, may be given 1 tablet
four times a day.
7. Severe Nausea -1/2 tablet every 4 hours four times a day.
Children:
6 -12 years -1/2 the recommended adult dose may be given.
Under 6 years —Do not give except for severe coughing spells -
1/4 tablet every 6 hours.
Discontinue
1. When symptoms disappear.
2. Except when the .person has a history of convulsions, do not give
the medicine for more than 5 consecutive days.
3. Excitability or increased nervousness after taking the drug.
4. Rash or any skin eruption.
5. Appearance of any unusual symptoms shortly after taking the
medicine.
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