GENERAL TREATMENT OF WOUNDS 



409 



Cleansing. — When hsemorrhage has ceased, the time will have arrived 

 for cleausing the wound and preparing it for adjustment. This should be 

 done with gentleness and care, lest bleeding be induced to recur. 



Everything brought into contact with the wound should be clean, and 

 rendered aseptic by suitable dressings. The removal of all adherent Ijlood 



Fig. 411. — Various Methods of Arresting Bleeding 



1, Probe lifting an artery while the forceps hold back its shaath. 2, Needle inserted and threaded. 

 3, Tying a ligature. 4, Correct knot for a ligature. 6, Effect of a ligature on an artery : a, the severed 

 ends of inner coat turning inwards; b, b, blood-clots. 6, Checking bleeding by a tourniquet. In the illus- 

 tration a pad is placed on the artery and bound down by a bandage; a stick is used as a tourniquet, and is 

 kept in position by a second bandage. 7, Closing an artery by torsion. The artery is seized with one pair 

 of forceps and twisted about twelve times by the other to sever the inner coat. 



and foreign matter may be effected by allowing a stream of cold carbolized 

 solution to flow over the wound, and if necessary the surface should be 

 carefully wiped over with a loose pledget of wool or lint .soaked in carbo- 

 lized water or some other disinfectant. In penetrating wounds inflicted 

 by stakes and other sharp implements, broken splinters are sometimes left 

 behind, and unless sought for and removed will prove a source of lasting 



