Question Title: Field Surgery/Survival medication

Requesting information on 2 items:

#1: Medics have available to them units with pre-measured amounts
of Morphine for field use in dire situations. What are these units
called? (The ones you remove the cover from, stick in then squeeze
to administer the medication) What type of Morphine is normally
used in these and what dose is it they are using?

I have done research (limited so far, more to come) and understand
some of the possible cardiac and digestive tract (and other)side
effects of Morphine, but to date have not found any forms of it
at all that were noted as being for injection. I have found time
release oral applications and oral liquid but those are all.

#2: What type of medicine is commonly used as a "local" when
sutures are being put in? (Say in the ER or the like) And what
amount is normally used in that type of application?
Wouldn't adrenalyn (sp?) have the same effect?

Assuming these 2 items would be readily available to John (or
Jane) Q. Public, these are 2 items I would like to have in an
emergency field surgical kit. (To be used only in worst case
situations of course .. as far as the morphine goes.)

Suture kits are readily available and ibuprofen or asperin will
suffice for swelling or moderate pain, but just in case I would
like to be informed and prepared.

Any info would be GREATLY appreciated!

-= Big D =-

You should pose your questions to someone who specializes in Surgery of Emergency Room Medicine, not to mental health professionals who specialize in addiction.

Your ability to think ahead and anticipate problems is virtually the opposite of "addictive thinking." Addicts typically ignore the future, focussing on the relief of immediate pain by getting high, despite their awareness that in the long run they may be doing themselves in. I wish I could instill some of your ability to anticipate problems and to avoid them by taking preparatory action into the brains some of my drug and alcohol dependent patients who can't get through a tough day without getting high.

Good luck in your efforts to sail smoothly into the new millenium.

Steve Adelman, M.D. (a.k.a. DrSteve)

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and
treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.

Keyword: addictive thinking

This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and
treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.

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