WOUND HEALING 



By A. T. KINSLEY, M.Sc, D.V.S. 



The subject of wound healing is not new. It has been 

 discussed by eminent pathologists and surgeons for hun- 

 dreds of years. This, like some other problems in patho- 

 logic surgery, appears to especially attract the attention 

 of the general medical profession periodically and spas- 

 modically. Thus Lister's principles of antiseptic dress- 

 ings and aseptic surgery caused marked modifications of 

 methods in wound treatment and resulted in a great ad- 

 vancement of surgery. Yet Listerian principles are not 

 so universally employed by veterinarians as they should 

 be. The reason for the existence of this state of affairs 

 is difficult of explanation. 



Bacterins an Aid in Wound Treatment 



Recently, following the lead of medical investigators, 

 another advancement has been made in the knowledge of 

 wound healing. This newer method consists of increas- 

 ing the animal's resistance to infection by the stimula- 

 tion of its tissues to form specific opsonins. Opsonic 

 therapy is and has been increasing the possibilities of 

 surgery and rendering all major operations less 

 hazardous. 



Wounds and Their Classification 



A wound may be defined as an interruption of the 

 continuity of tissue or tissues. Some have restricted the 

 term to those conditions resulting from traumatism. 

 Others have confined it to injuries of soft tissues, while 



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