Dressing Wounds 371 



as splinters, gravel and the like. This may be done 

 by permitting lukewarm water to fall in a stream 

 over it, as the surface should be touched as little 

 as possible. The water should be made antisep- 

 tic by adding one tablespoonful of carbolic acid 

 to each quart. In case there is much bleeding, 

 immediate attention must be given to stopping it. 

 This may be done with astringents, cold, or pres- 

 sure. Common salt is a very good astringent for 

 stopping a hemorrhage. Cotton, tow or oakum 

 bound over the wound is also good. 



In case the wound is deep, it may be necessary 

 to hold the parts together by stitches. Separate 

 stitches answer better than continuous ones. In 

 case a bandage is used to hold the parts together, 

 it should be adjusted very evenly and extra care 

 exercised not to draw it so tightly as to obstruct 

 the circulation. The bandage should be applied 

 so as to encourage union from the bottom, and pre- 

 vent accumulation of pus. 



During the following days, syringe the wound out 

 once a day with an antiseptic wash made by adding 

 one tablespoonful of carbolic acid to a quart of 

 water. The wound may be gently cleaned with a 

 soft sponge and castile or carbolic soap and hot 

 water. If proud flesh forms, it must he held in 

 check by applications of some caustic, such as nitrate 

 of silver. 



In treating wounds it is very important to keep 



