AND ZINX AS AN ANTISEPTIC DRESSING 331 



of doing so at the front. ^ But Mr. Cheatle informed me that granulating wounds 

 behaved more satisfactorily with the cyanide than with iodoform, while the 

 unpleasant odour of the latter was of course avoided. For further particulars 

 regarding the use of the double cyanide I would refer to an address on the anti- 

 septic treatment of wounds published in the British Medical Journal for the 

 28th of January, and the nth and i8th of February, 1893.- The part in the 

 number for the i8th of February contains the reference to the double cyanide.^ 



* Since the above was published I have learned from Mr. Cheatle that he had considerable experience 

 willi the use of the double cyanide as a first dressing on the battle-field in South Africa. Having found 

 that the pi-evailing strong winds made dusting with the powder impracticable, he used a paste made by 

 mixing the salt with a i to 20 solution of carbolic acid. This was readily improvised in his tent and was 

 taken to the field in a bottle. With it he smeared the surface of the wound and the surrounding skin, 

 and also his own fingers ; thus combining the germicidal action of carbolic acid with the inhibitory effect of 

 the cyanide. Cyanide gauze was then bandaged on. The cases were afterwards under the care of others ; 

 but he not unfrequently had the opportunity of seeing them again, and was well pleased with the results 

 obtained. See 'A First Field Dressing ', by G. Lenthal Cheatle, British Medical Journal, September 8, 1900. 

 ■ This address is printed at p. 349 of this volume. 

 ^ See p. 358 of this volume. 



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