164 The Care of Animals 



up the skin only, leaving a cavity to gather pus. After 

 the wound is sewed, it should be thoroughly treated 

 with antiseptics, either in solution or as a dry powder, 

 and carefully protected from injury. Animals must 

 be restrained from rubbing or biting an injured part. 

 Antiseptics or healing substances merely destroy or stop 

 the growth of bacteria or germs that interfere with the 

 healing process of nature. If it were not for bacteria, 

 all wounds would heal at once if the parts were brought 

 together. Irritating or caustic substances should never 

 be applied to fresh wounds. Nearly all antiseptics are 

 poisonous, and should be diluted so that they will not 

 injure the living tissues while still destroying the germs. 

 Do not disturb a wound more than is necessary to keep 

 it clean. Cleanliness is the secret of success in treating 

 wounds. 



Wounds heal in several ways. One is by "first inten- 

 tion." In this case, the parts brought and held together 

 grow fast without the formation of pus or matter. 

 This is the best method and is always to be desired; 

 but it is difficult to obtain in animals on account of 

 the number of pus -producing bacteria present under 

 ordinary conditions. 



The second method is by "granulation." In this, new 

 tissue forms on each side of the wound and gradually 

 fills in and unites the severed parts. When a wound 

 granulates, there is a discharge of pus or matter, and 

 care must be taken that this does not become excessive. 

 Antiseptics should be used freely. In some cases the 

 granulations become too luxuriant and form a slightly 

 fungus -like growth, known as " proud flesh." This 



