130 WOUNDS. 



for a wound two inches long, but in large wounds 

 they should be an inch or more apart. 



Should the wound bleed much from an artery's 

 being divided, it will be necessary to secure it by pas- 

 sing a crooked needle underneath, and tying it with a 

 waxed thread ; but if the artery cannot be got at in 

 this way, apply a small quantity of flour and salt to 

 the mouth of the bleeding vessel, which will very soon 

 have the desired effect. Care should be taken to keep 

 it there, by proper compress or bandage, until a scar, 

 scabp or crust is formed, otherwise it will elude your 

 expectations, and frequently alarm you Avith fresh 

 bleedings. After the lips of the wound are brought 

 together, by this needle or bandage, it needs only to 

 be covered with rags, dipped in spirits of any kind, or 

 spirits of turpentine, and a little lint placed lightly 

 within the edges of the wound, taking great care to 

 keep it entirely clean, with strong soap suds, and as 

 free from motion as possible. Whenever a wound be- 

 comes much swelled or inflamed, or discovers marks 

 of mortification, frequent bleedings and the applica- 

 tion of a red oak poultice or mush, will have a won- 

 derful effect. Should the wound be disposed to heal 

 very rapidly, and turn out what is termed proud 

 flesh, by washing it with a little blue-stone water, it 

 will, in a very short time, shut in, and the wound 

 entirely heal. 



The cure of most wounds is effected by the simplest 

 methods, and it is often of much more consequence 

 to know how to dress a wound, than what to dress it 

 with, and in this consists the chief art of this branch 

 of surgery ; for the most eminent in that profession 

 have long discovered that a variety of ointments, 

 salves, and grease, are unnecessary in the cures of 

 most wounds and sores, and they have accordingly 



