368 WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT 



Wounds which can heal by first intention, such as all operative 

 wounds which have been thoroughly disinfected according to the method 

 described above, and where the hemorrhage has been stopped, we 

 bring together by stitches or ligatures (Fig. 118). As a rule, the 

 ordinary knot-stitch with antiseptic silk is used, although we may con- 

 nect it with other forms, such as the extension stitch (Fig. 1 18). Small 

 wounds do not, as a rule, reciuire drains. The wound should be com- 

 pressed for several minutes by means of an antiseptic sponge, and after 

 that covered with collodion. If the position of the wound allows, we 

 must apply a firm, compact dressing over every wound that is stitched; 

 if it is a simple one, the dressing may remain until it is entirely healed — • 

 that is, for about one week. If we have a large wound, however, with 

 flaps, caverns, etc., it is advisable to place drains in the wound and 

 change the dressing after three or four days. Instead of collodion dress- 

 ing in such wounds, use antiseptic powders, such as sulphonal, der- 

 matol, bismuth subnitrate and boric acid. These should be dusted on 

 the wound itself, directly on the line of the severed skin. 



The writer has been in the habit of covering ordinary sewed wounds 

 with a thin layer of antiseptic gauze, and covering over that a dry, 

 antiseptic muslin bandage, and finally over these two covers a damp 

 starched gauze bandage. The latter has the advantage of forming a 

 stiff envelope, becoming dry on account of its starchy contents, and 

 exerting a certain hold on the injured member. If a serious rise in 

 temperature takes place, the dressing must be immediately removed and 

 the directions followed which are given under the head of "Wound 

 Fever." When the bandage has been displaced, 

 and when it has been moistened by the wound 

 secretion, it must also be changed. 



Wounds which heal under a dry scab are gen- 

 erally superficial. These do not require to be 

 closed by means of stitches, and they seldom are 

 119.—. uzzc. hcked or irritated by animals. In these cases 



we use the following method of treatment. 



After thoroughly disinfecting the wound and its neighborhood with 

 some antiseptic solution — dilute corrosive sublimate or creolin solution — 

 allow it to dry, and b}^ means of a camel's hair brush paint the irritated 

 dermis. We produce an artificial scab, or we cover the wound surface 

 with collodion. The latter is recommended in common lacerations. As 

 a rule, no dressing is used. The scab loosens after some time and falls 

 off. When we are obliged under certain circumstances to leave a wound 

 open it is advisable to muzzle the animal (Fig. 119), not only to prevent 

 the patient from licking the wound, l)ut in order to properly apply a 

 sprinkling powder, and get good results from it. The best powder to 



