WOUNDS, SPRAINS, BRUISES, ABRASIONS, AND ABSCESSES. 51 



In the treatment of all wounds cleanliness is of more impor- 

 tance than medication, but the two in combination, when thoroughly 

 and intelligently carried out, will leave no room for the propagation 

 and ravages of those germs that cause the formation of pus and 

 retard the healing process. The farrier, or the man who is to care 

 for the injured animal, should have his hands thoroughly clean, and 

 should procure in a clean can or bucket a solution of creolin or other 

 antiseptic, and several (dean pieces of cotton, gauze, or oakum. 

 Sponges are cleaned with difficulty and should not be used. 



If hemorrhage (bleeding) is profuse the first step is to arrest the 

 flow of blood by ligating (tying) the blood vessel or vessels with a 

 piece of silk, or if none is at hand, with a clean piece of string; if 

 the blood vessels can not be tied, a thick pad made of cotton or of 

 several layers of gauze or clean cloth, folded so as to cover the wound, 

 and held firmly in place by one or more cotton bandages, will check 

 the flow of blood. This arrangement, called a compress, should be 

 left on until the hemorrhage ceases, and the wound treated as de- 

 scribed later. 



In applying dressings (except compresses) unnecessary pressure 

 should be avoided, especially on the soft tissues. 



Incised wounds. — If the injury is one that can be sutured (sewed) 

 a needle and silk should be immersed in a solution of creolin — creolin 

 1 part, water 50 parts; the hair around the wound should either be 

 shaved or be clipped with a pair of shears, and the wound thoroughly 

 cleansed by washing it with cotton saturated with the creolin solu- 

 tion; all dirt and hair must be removed, all ragged edges, if any, 

 cut away, and the edges of the wound placed in contact with each 

 other if possible and held in place by the aid of sutures, care being 

 taken to allow free drainage; the wound should then be wiped dry 

 with a fresh piece of cotton or gauze, and over the surface should be 

 dusted some iodoform or acetanilid. If the location will permit, 

 the wound should be covered with a pad of gauze or absorbent cotton, 

 and a cotton bandage wrapped around the parts to hold the pad in 

 place. The wound should be dressed once or twice a day until the 

 formation of pus ceases; when the wound is dry, only the powder 

 should be used. 



Lacerated wounds. — If the wound is a large one, with the skin and 

 tissues so badly torn and lacerated as not to admit of the use of 

 sutures, the torn and ragged edges (especially if the lower part of" 

 the wound hangs down) should be removed with the knife or scissors 

 and the wound dressed as above directed. When the wound begins 

 to granulate (fill with new tissue) care should be taken thai the 

 granulations are not allowed to grow out higher than the skin, caus- 

 ing the condition known as proud jlesh. 



