DR. LEGEAR'S STOCK BOOK. 171 



escape of puss, etc. Other ways of securing wounds are by straps, 

 bandages, etc. 



Strapping is done by causing a number of pieces of domestic, or 

 other material, of proper size, shape, etc., to adhere to the parts 

 by means of an application of pitch, or some similar adhesive. 

 Where it is feared that sutures may give way, strapping is fre- 

 quently of great assistance in affording support to sutures, espe- 

 cially in large wounds. 



Bandayiny consists of binding or securing a part by means of 

 a roll or sheet of some material, usually cloth or rubber. Certain 

 kinds of incised wounds are readily secured and the edges kept 

 in place by a properly adjusted bandage; and a bandage, as a 

 rule, leaves less blemish than the sutures. Bandages also serve 

 a useful purpose in keeping out dirt, flies, etc., and in many cases 

 afford a useful support to sutures. 



DKESSIXG OF WOUNDS. Most unprofessional people have an 

 idea that there is a specific for each variety of wound. Such is 

 not the case. Still, there is a great difference of opinion among 

 surgeons as to the best way of dressing wounds. Some believe 

 that the air should be entirely excluded in the treatment of 

 wounds; others do not believe in this theory, consequently do not 

 make any attempt to exclude the air and scarcely dress wounds 

 at all, merely having the wound kept clean. In veterinary prac- 

 tice wounds do very well in many cases when exposed, but of 

 course may receive some poisonous germs through the medium 

 of the air; but the probabilities are that in a large majority of 

 cases the air not only does no harm, but, on the contrary, often 

 exerts a beneficial influence. Wounds in a healthy animal heal 

 faster than in an unhealthy animal. So don't expect to heal up 

 wounds in animals with unhealthy constitutions as fast as you 

 would if the system is healthy. After the wound has been thor- 

 oughly cleansed with warm water and stitched up, the treatment 

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