WOUNDS. 227 



left to constitute an eye-sore, and be a source of aggravation 

 to the owner of the animal. 



Dressing of Wounds. — ^lost unprofessional people are 

 imbued with the idea that there is a specific for each variety 

 of wound. It is needless to say that such is not the case. 

 There is a great difference of opinion among surgeons as to 

 the best way of dressing v/ounds. Some believe the atmo- 

 sphere to be a medium of contagion, and claim that in it 

 exist the germs which, coming into contact with Avounds, 

 cause suppuration, etc. ; hence, in treating wounds, make 

 it a point to rigidly exclude the air. 



Others do not believe in the above theory, consequently do 

 not make any attempt to exclude the air, and scarcely dress 

 wounds at all, merely having the wound kept clean, allow- 

 ing Nature to do the rest. Still others recommend water- 

 dressings, etc. By the above it may be seen that decided 

 differences of opinion exist as regards the dressing of 

 wounds. In veterinar}^ practice wounds do very well in 

 many cases w^hen exposed, but, of course, may receive 

 some poisonous germs through the medium of the air; 

 but the probabilities are that in a large majority of 

 cases the air not only does no harm, but, on the contrary, 

 often exerts a beneficial influence. Wounds in a healthy 

 animal heal faster than in an unhealthy animal. After the 

 wound is stitched up, the treatment must be governed 

 altogether by circumstances. If inflammatory action be 

 apprehended, a free use of hot or cold applications to the 

 part will be attended with benefit ; in cases where the pain 

 is not excessive, cold water wull be found preferable to hot. 

 Inflammation, when feared, may often be prevented, and, 

 when present, may be reduced by a dose of laxative medi- 

 cine, and by giving the patient a laxative diet. As an 

 application exerting a cooling, and at the same time an 

 'astringent action, there is nothing superior to the ordinary 



15—2 



