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                            TYPES OF WOUND - 2
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   Graze
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   A graze normally results from a sliding fall. Superficial layers
   of skin are scraped off leaving a tender, raw area. These wounds
   often contain dirt or grit which has become embedded during the
   injury and may easily become infected.
   
   Certain friction burns where the skin has been broken are
   treated as grazes.

   Gunshot Wound
   -------------

   Gunshot wounds can result in serious internal injury. There will
   be a wound where the bullet enters the body and often a much larger
   exit wound. Internal organs, tissues and blood vessels may be 
   damaged during the bullets passage through the body. In addition
   to external bleeding, there may be internal bleeding.

   Contused Wound
   --------------

   This can be caused by a fall or a blow with a blunt object which
   splits the skin and bruises the surrounding tissues. In a contused
   wound the risk of underlying structures ( eg - a fracture ) should 
   be considered.

   With a bruise, damaged blood vessels leak blood into the tissues
   although the skin remains unbroken.


   Types of Bleeding
   -----------------

   There are three different types of bleeding: arterial, venous and
   capillary. Each is named after the type of blood vessel damaged.
   Major arterial bleeding is the most serious and must ALWAYS be 
   treated FIRST. Capillary bleeding is ALWAYS present, however in
   some wounds, arterial and venous bleeding will also be evident.


   Arterial Bleeding
   ------------------

   Blood carried in the arteries is normally fully oxygenated and is
   bright red. It has just come from the heart so it is under pressure
   and often spurts from a wound in time with the heartbeat.

   N.B. Blood in the artery which takes blood from the heart to the 
   lungs is NOT fully oxygenated.

   Venous Bleeding
   ---------------

   Normally darker red because it contains less oxygen, venous blood 
   flows at a lower pressure than arterial blood and will not spurt. It
   may however, gush profusely, if a major vein is ruptured.

   Capillary Bleeding
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   The capillaries contain both arterial and venous blood and capillary
   bleeding is the most common type. It is present in EVERY wound and it
   may be the only type in minor wounds where blood oozes from the wound.

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