Community Magazine July 2014

The Top 10 Questions & Answers on custom and laws of Dedicated in loving memory of HachamNissim benMazal a''h Medical Care on Shabbat Part l – Broken Bones &Wounds 1 HOW SHOULD ONE GO ABOUT CLEANING AND DISINFECTING AN OPEN WOUND ON SHABBAT? Washing should be done with diluted liquid soap, and not a bar of soap. Hydrogen peroxide may be used to clean a wound on Shabbat, but it should be poured directly on the wound and not onto cotton or gauze. After pouring the peroxide on the wound, one may dab the wound dry with a sterile gauze pad. One may not apply topical antibiotic ointment to minor cuts and scratches on Shabbat. For a deep cut, however, one may apply antibiotic ointment by squeezing the desired amount on top of the wound, ensuring not to smear or rub the substance onto the skin. 2 MAY MERCUROCHROME OR DERMATOL (YELLOW POWDER) BE USED TO STOP BLEEDING FROM A MINOR CUT ON SHABBAT? Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach, zt”l ruled that since mercurochrome prevents germs from penetrating the body, applying it to a wound is the same as placing a bandage, which is permitted on Shabbat. Hacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul, zt”l ( OrLe’tziyon , 2:36:7) argued, and forbade theuseofmercurochrome on Shabbat since it contains medicinal ingredients and thus falls under the prohibition of administering treatment on Shabbat. However, if one is bedridden or has a wound that is questionably life-threatening, or for a child, mercurochrome may be used. The consensus among halachic authorities is that Dermatol may be used on Shabbat. Practically speaking, nowadays, most medics apply strong pressure on the wound and run cold water on it to stop the bleeding, both which are allowed on Shabbat, even for a minor wound. 3 MAY A DISLOCATED SHOULDER BE REALIGNED ON SHABBAT? The Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 328:47) permits realigning a dislocated bone on Shabbat (whereas the Magen Avraham forbids doing so). Since waiting until after Shabbat to put the bone back into place could pose a risk to the limb, this may done on Shabbat. Nevertheless, it is preferable, when possible, to walk to a non-Jewish doctor and have him return the bone to its socket. If no non-Jewish doctor is available within walking distance, one may ask a non-Jew to drive the patient to a non-Jewish doctor. If no non-Jewish doctor is available at all, one may have a Jewish doctor put the bone back into its socket, unless the doctor determines that delaying the procedure does not pose any harm. 4 MAY ONE RECEIVE A MASSAGE ON SHABBAT TO RELIEVE MUSCLE OR JOINT PAIN? Hacham Ben Tzion (2:36:11) permits receiving a massage on Shabbat as long as there is no intention to perspire. 5 HOW MAY ONE TEND TO A BROKEN THIGH OR LEG ON SHABBAT? If one suspects that the patient’s thigh bone (femur) or pelvis (hip bone) is fractured, he should immediately summon an ambulance to bring the patient to the nearest emergency room, as internal bleeding could occur which could create a life-threatening situation. As these conditions require urgent medical treatment, one should not cause a delay by waiting for the assistance of a non-Jew or making the call through a shinui (in an abnormal fashion). In the case of a broken leg, an ice pack should be applied to the wound and the wound should be elevated to reduce the pain and swelling. The patient may be given painkillers. Transport to the hospital, x-rays, anesthetizing, and setting the break or fracture should be done by a non-Jew. If a plaster cast is needed, it should not be placed until after Shabbat, except in the case of an open fracture, a fractured elbow, or a femur. If the doctor is concerned about possible permanent damage to the limb, a cast may be applied on Shabbat by a non-Jew. Needless to say, if any life-threatening risk can result from the fracture, all necessary medical intervention is permitted. (See Rav Yisroel Pinchos Bodner, Halachos of Refuah on Shabbos .) 6 MAY X-RAYS BE TAKEN ON SHABBAT IF ONE SUSPECTS HE HAS A BROKEN BONE? X-rays may be taken on Shabbat if a broken bone is suspected, but they should be taken by a non-Jew. 7 MAY ONE WEAR AN ACE BANDAGE OR SLING ON SHABBAT? One may wear an ace bandage that is tightly secured. It may be tied with a regular knot if the knot will be taken apart within seven days to check the wound. If the knot will remain tied for eight days or more, it should be made in the form of a bow. A safety pin may be used to fasten the ace bandage. A sling or ace bandage may be worn in a public domain on Shabbat as long as one legitimately needs it and the bandage is not loose-fitting. 66 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE