462 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



of 1 part of bichloride to 1,000 to 5,000 parts of water, according to 

 the delicacy of the tissue to which it is aj^plied. (2) Carbolic acid in 

 from 2 to 5 per cent solution is used on infected wounds and for clean- 

 ing instruments, dressings, and sponges. It unites well with oil and 

 is preferred to the bichloride of mercury on a greasy surface. A 5 

 per cent solution in oil is often used under the name of carbolized oil. 

 (3) Aluminum acetate is an efficient and cheap antiseptic, and is com- 

 posed of 1 part alum and 5 parts acetate of lead, mixed in 20 parts of 

 water. (4) Boracic acid is good in a 2 to 4 per cent solution to cleanse 

 wounds and wash eyes. Creolin and lysol may be used in a 2 to 5 per 

 cent solution in water. Iodoform is one of the most used of the anti- 

 septics and it also acts as an anodyne, stimulates granulation, and 

 checks wound secretion. A very efficacious and inexpensive powder 

 is made by taking 5 parts of iodoform and 95 parts of sugar, making 

 what is called iodoform sugar. Tannic acid is a useful drug in the 

 treatment of wounds, in that it arrests hemorrhage, checks secre- 

 tion, and favors the formation of a scab. A mixture of 1 part tannic 

 acid and 3 parts iodoform is good in suppurating wounds. lodol, 

 white sugar, ground and roasted coffee, and powdered charcoal are all 

 used as protectives and absorbents on suppurating surfaces. More 

 depends on the care and the method of application of the drug than on 

 the drug itself. On aseptic wounds use only those antiseptics that do 

 not irritate the tissue. If care is used in the application of the anti- 

 septic, corrosive sublimate or carbolic acid is to be recommended, 

 but in the hands of irresponsible parties lysol or creolin is safer. In 

 order to keep air from the wound and to absorb all wound secretions 

 rapidly, a dressing should be applied. If the wound is asej)tic, the 

 dressing should be likewise, such as cotton gauze, sterile cotton, 

 oakum, or tow. This dressing should be applied with uniform pres- 

 sure at all times and secured by a bandage. Allow it to remain for a 

 week or ten days if the wound is aseptic or if the dressing does not 

 become loose or misplaced or become drenched with secretions from 

 the wound, or if pain, fever, or loss of appetite does not develop. 

 The dressing should then be removed, the wound treated antiseptically, 

 and a sterilized dressing applied. 



HEALING UNDER A SCAB. 



This often occurs in small superficial wounds that have been kept 

 aseptic. In order for a scab to form, the wound must not gap, 

 secrete freely, or become infected with germs. The formation of scab 

 is favored by astringents and styptics, such as tannic acid, iodoform, 

 and 5 per cent solution of zinc chloride. In case of large hollow 

 wounds that can not be dressed, such as fistulous withers, open joints, 

 etc., antisepsis may be obtained by warm water irrigation with or 

 without an antiseptic fluid. It should continue day and night, and 



