DISEASES FROM SEPTIC INFECTION OF WOUNDS 371 



practised unless the swelling is very small and there is very little fluid 

 in it. 



The therapeutic treatment is not simple in all contusions. In large 

 "fluid-boils" we rarely can wait for an absorption of the secretion, Init 

 are compelled to open the swelling at the point where it is soft and where 

 the skin is thinnest. In animals we must always try to make an opening 

 in the dependent part of the enlargement, so as to get perfect drainage. 

 After having opened the tumor, clean it out, removing all clots, etc., and 

 treat the inner surface of the wound according to the usual method, 

 applied in such cases. If the location of the wound prevents such a pro- 

 cedure, the fluid may be emptied by means of a hypodermic syringe, and 

 an antiseptic solution injected in its place, and, if possible, this should 

 be followed up afterward by a compress-dressing. 



In all cases where the skin is very much injured, or w^here extensive 

 destruction of the soft parts has taken place, or even fracture of the bone 

 has occurred, we cannot use massage, but instead compressing antiseptic 

 dressings must be applied. As a rule, treat the slightest injuries of the 

 skin according to the l:)est antiseptic methods. 



Inflammatory symptoms are observed as soon as fever appears. 

 The skin becomes hot and painful; finally fluctuation is found in some 

 parts. Then we must immediately remove the secretion, clean out the 

 wound, and by drainage keep the cavity empty, at the same time inject 

 into the wound a 1 to 1000 solution of corrosive sublimate or a 5 per cent, 

 solution of car])olic acid, and use an antiseptic bandage. 



Bums and Scalds. — In cases where a high degree of temperature acts 

 on the skin it causes hypersemia in milder cases, to necrosis and sloughing 

 in severe cases. For convenience of descriptions, we divide burns into 

 three classes or degrees. The first degree of burning is indicated by 

 great pain, redness and swelling of the skin; the second degree causes 

 violent serous exudation in the stratum mucosa and is indicated by the 

 formation of blisters containing a yellowish serous fluid which dries or 

 may bui*st the vesicle when it is followed by more or less suppuration. 

 Burns of the third degree are indicated by more or less extensive necroses 

 of the skin. The necrosed portion of flesh forms a scab which is separated 

 from the surrounding healthy tissue by a demarcating line of granulating 

 tissue. Extensive burns may cause death in a few hours. In such cases 

 the animal shows violent pain, is greatly excited and restless, the pulse 

 is very high, hard and wiry. The respirations are increased, subnormal 

 temperature and death follows in a short time. Sometimes there is violent 

 vomiting, followed by convulsions; the prognosis depends on the severity 

 of the burns or scalds. Very frequently a scalded animal is disfigured 

 for life as a result of the extensive destruction and subsequent necrosis 

 of the epidermis, which destroys the han- bulbs and prevents future 



