366 



WOUNDS AXD THEIR TREATMENT 



coating of mercury on the steel. The hands and nails have to be brushed 

 and washed with carbolic solution, or sublimate soap. During the 

 operation the wound should be disinfected from time to time — that is to 

 say, it should be washed or wiped with the solutions referred to above. 

 2. Future Treatment of the Wound. — This consists of various 

 measures, according to whether there is hemorrhage and the condition 

 of the wound. 



Stopping all Hemorrhage. — If the blood which runs into a wound is 

 left there, it has a bad effect, preventing an adhesion of the surfaces of 

 the wound, and also being a favorable ground for 

 the development of microbes. 



Drainage of the Wound. — By this we mean the 

 removal of wound secretions, especially pus, by 

 means of drainage-tubes. The regular drainage- 

 tubes are made of rubber, having numerous holes 

 cut in them. These are placed in the deepest part 

 of the wound, and fastened by means of a stitch 

 in the skin, or the wound closed around it. In 

 small wounds, instead of the rubber tube we use 

 small pieces of silk thread or catgut which have been 

 twisted together in the shape of a cord. In wounds 

 which are not deep, but cavernous, and where it is 

 difficult to get ciuick adhesion in order to insure pro- 

 per drainage, it is best to leave the wound open, 

 covered with antiseptic powder, such as sulphonal, 

 boric acid, naphthalin, salicylic acid, etc. The first- 

 named agents possess special properties for the 

 treatment of surgical wounds, drying them rapidly 

 and depriving the microbes of a proper medium to 

 develop in, and thus rendering it impossible for in- 

 fection to extend. 



It is advisable to use some material that wall take up the secretions 

 of the wound c{uickly, and assist in drying them. For this purpose, we 

 cover the wound with salicylic- or carbolic-acid or corrosive sul)limate 

 gauze. In a wound where there is a deep cavity, it is well to fill it for 

 twenty-four to forty-eight hours after the operation with a tampon of 

 sublimate gauze, then, having removed the gauze, clean the wound and 

 by means of sutures bring it together and cover it with antiseptic gauze. 

 The following is the ordinary treatment of wounds: 

 I. Controlling the Hemorrhage. — This may be accomplished in various 

 ways. The best method is by means of a ligature. As a rule, this is 

 performed by carefully ligating the bleeding blood vessel, either directly 

 on the vein or artery, or taking up a certain portion of the tissue wdth a 



Fig. 117. — .\pparatus 

 for the antiseptic irriga- 

 tion of wounds. 



