Well it wasn't exactly the patient. It was a co-worker. Craziness analysis was still warranted, I think.

For the record, wrap them in some gauze or a cloth and put them in some ice. Even if the tip doesn't survive, you'll be thankful for the protection of those severed nerves and you'll dramatically reduce the chance of infection.

And it will hurt like a bitch once the freezing wears off.

I have a feeling you can grant the nearly short-fingered person a bit of slack in the crazy department. There was probably a fair bit of shock involved in the process. I can see the logic functions getting clouded in panic and crazy quite easily. ... and they don't really provide a "how to" manual for when you lose your finger tips.

That's good, but it can't beat the classic:


Also, I sewed on some milk soaked fingertips. But I wanted to know if I was the crazy person, or the patient was.

I agree with Beck. Not applicable to fingers etc., and most likely appropriated from broken-teeth-in-milk approach. ... which I've heard of from mothers and sports coaches alike (not that I know of anyone who carries milk to a hockey/soccer/etc. game anyway...). It's supposed to do something for the fresh bone break?? I dunno exactly.


Is this something you've experienced relatively recently, Par?

Never heard of that... I can't see milk submersion helping in any way.

Yahoo answers also says no, but apparently you should put knocked out teeth in milk. That's the only relevant google result for "severed finger milk".

Question: Has anyone ever heard of putting an accidentally severed body part (e.g. a fingertip) in milk to preserve it for reattachment?

I've got an extra ticket to Matt Anderson and Wil tomorow night. (wednesday) show at 8 at the Horowitz. tix about $25 I think.