Health Report.We started talking last week abouthow to decide if a common injury-- a bleeding cut on a finger-- requires medical attention.If the bleeding stopswhen you press on it for a few minutes,then you probably do not need a doctor.But if the injury is more serious,then you could sufferpermanent damage unless you get help.Dr. Martin Brown is chairmanof emergency medicineat Inova Alexandria Hospital in Virginia.He says injuries that damagea "deep structure" like a bone,tendon or nerve should alwaysbe treated by a doctor.MARTIN BROWN: "When deep structuresare involved,it's a different ballgame."Forceful bleeding and bright red bloodare dangerous signs of a deep cut.Dr. Brown says there are differentmedical products thatcan help stop the bleeding.One example is Gelfoam.MARTIN BROWN: "Gelfoam is a cellulose productthat promotes the clotting of bloodby giving blood sortof a matrix upon which to clot."The traditional wayto close a serious cut is with sutures,also known as stitches.A needle and nylon thread are usedto sew the edges of the wound together.But Dr. Brown saysa more recent developmentis a medical glue.MARTIN BROWN: "That's a gluethat's very similarif not identical to super glue,but it's a sterile form of that."Super glue makesmany things stick together.But Dr. Brown sayspeople should not use it on injuries.He says the medical glue can be usedwhen a cut is straightand comes together easily.The American Academyof Orthopaedic Surgeonshas advice on its websiteabout what to do if a fingertipis not just cut but cut off.First, gently clean the amputatedpart with water or saline.Dr. Brown says people can usea saline cleaner for contact lenses.Saline contains salt.Next, without drying the fingertip,cover the part in gauze or a cloth.Place it in a waterproof bagand place the bag on ice.Do not put the amputatedpart itself directly on ice.That could damage it more.Bring the fingertip to a hospitalas quickly as possible.A surgeon may try to reattacha fingertip that is cut offbelow the first joint.But Dr. Brown says fingertipsare not often reattachedif they are the lengthof a fingernail or shorter.He says a reattachment operationcan take many hours.MARTIN BROWN: "It's not a simpleprocedure by any means.It's done under a microscope,reattaching nervesand arteries and tendons."Even then, he says,the result will not necessarilybe better than losing part of a finger.Dr. Brown says patientsmust also be willingto undergo a rehabilitation processto regain use of the finger.MARTIN BROWN: "Reattachment is a real commitmentby the patient and the doctor.Amputation is a simple thing."And that's the VOA Special EnglishHealth Report,written by Brianna Blake.To learn more about how to treat injuries,go to 51voa.com.