112 WOUND TREATMENT 



proprietary liniments often gain wide reputations as 

 wound medicines because they are actually germicides. 

 The fact that they temporarily retard healing by cauter- 

 izing the surface is in their favor because they destroy 

 everything they touch, and because they produce a leath- 

 ery coating that gives protection against subsequent in- 

 fection. Wounds thus treated escape the surrounding 

 phlegmonous condition of infection, and when the eschar 

 desquamates, the cavity is found paved with a layer of 

 rosy, healthy granulations that need but little further 

 attention beyond a weak antiseptic powder or mild 

 astringent. 



What chemical substance should the veterinary prac- 

 titioner select for this purpose? In other words, what 

 is the best application for an open wound? Pure 

 phenol, butter of antimony, and chemically pure nitro- 

 hydrochloric acid are strong substances to consider in 

 this connection, but they are exactly the kind of chem- 

 ical to use. Applied with a brush, with precautions 

 against overflow, these substances will do no harm. A 

 little discretion to avoid the cauterization of synovials, 

 nerves, and large blood vessels should of course be prac- 

 ticed in the use of such radical measures, just as the 

 surgeon would avoid cutting these with the scalpel. 



A good lotion, less potent than the above but one that 

 will, however, answer the purpose, consists of one ounce 

 of permanganate of potash and two ounces of sulphate of 

 zinc, dissolved in a quart of water. This can be applied 

 two or three times daily until perfect disinfection is 

 assured, or a wad of cotton, soaked in the solution, may 

 be bound to the wound and renewed frequently. 



Kerosene is a mighty good disinfectant of raw sur- 

 faces if applied frequently during the first few days, 

 and it is perfectly safe if it does not touch the skin. 



In fine, open-wound treatment must begin with disin- 



