ANTISEPTICS— PAST AND PRESENT 51 



from the commissure of the lips up the cheek, exposing 

 the first two molar teeth. The accident had occurred 

 about ten days previously, and two attempts at suturing 

 had been made, but they were unsuccessful. The wound 

 was suppurating freely and granulations had formed 

 on each of the edges, but there were no evidences of 

 union. My first attempt was also unsuccessful. I then 

 cast the animal again, removed all granulations with 

 sharp scissors, freshened the edges of the skin and 

 mucous membrane, removed all debris of food, washed 

 the parts thoroughly with peroxid of hydrogen, inserted 

 a deep layer of sutures so as to bring the edges of the 

 mucous membrane together, the sutures being composed 

 of soft silk soaked in peroxid of hydrogen, a superficial 

 row of sutures was inserted in the skin, the wound was 

 again cleansed with the antiseptic, and then painted over 

 with collodion. The foal was removed from the dam 

 and fed from a pail, and no further dressings ordered 

 except the application of compound tincture of benzoin 

 to the edges of the wound after a few days. A few of 

 the sutures gave way, but healing progressed satisfac- 

 torily and perfect union resulted. 



6. Surgical Dressings. — As a general rule, wounds 

 should be covered with suitable surgical dressings when- 

 ever possible, at any rate in the earlier stages. Whether 

 these dressings should be moist or dry must depend on 

 circumstances. In suppurating wounds I find the best 

 dressing, in cases where expense is no object, is double 

 C3'anid gauze soaked in a solution of peroxid of hydro- 

 gen (one part of the ten- volume solution to three of 

 water). The gauze is then enveloped with a thick layer 

 of cotton wool and a bandage. 



As to the frequency of dressing, this will depend on 

 the amount of discharge. When the latter soaks through 

 the dressing, it is an indication for renewal. If this 



