ANTISEPTICS— PAST AND PRESENT 37 



results, and those of surgeons who use antiseptics judi- 

 ciously, are in every way as good as those obtained with 

 the more elaborate aseptic precautions; in fact, seeing 

 that we are not troubled with sepsis or stitch abscess at 

 all, I venture to assert that they are better, because they 

 are more constant and dependable." 



Rose and Carless, contrasting aseptic and antiseptic 

 surgery, in their Manual of Surgery state : 



"It is only natural that we who have had the privi- 

 lege of working with Lord Lister, and have seen the ex- 

 cellent results following the intelligent use of anti- 

 septics as mapped out above, should still cling to that 

 line of practice which certainly can be carried out with 

 more precision under all circumstances, both in private 

 and hospital, than the other plan, the objects of which 

 may at any moment be defeated by some slight inadver- 

 tence or oversight. The theory of asepsis is no doubt 

 perfect, but its practical application is often difficult 

 owing to the necessity of having sterilizers always at 

 hand, a matter almost impossible in cases of emergency, 

 in private practice." 



Measures Attempted 



I have deemed it advisable to quote the opinions of 

 the above eminent surgeons on the subject of aseptic and 

 antiseptic surgery before proceeding to consider how 

 far the principles can be applied in veterinary surgery. 

 I shall endeavor to show that, although in the case of 

 the dog it is possible to carry out perfect aseptic prin- 

 ciples under proper surroundings, it is a far different 

 matter when we come to deal witli eciuine surgery. T 

 suppose it will be generally admitted that in the treat- 

 ment of wounds in horses there are certain important 

 indications to be fulfilled. 



