WATER AND GERMS. 1181 



very careful to have all the instruments cleansed with five per cent 

 solution of carbolic acid, and everything else in connection with the 

 operation thoroughly cleansed with the bichloride solution, the 

 wound thoroughly dressed with it, and then carefully protected 

 from the air ; and there is always healing in a few days without 

 • inflammation, no matter forming at alL The secret is that all 

 wounds exposed to the air have myriads of germs formed in them ; 

 these set up irritation, and hence the trouble with inflammation and 

 suppuration. 'This preparation destroys all germs instantly, and 

 hence its value. I would call your particular attention to the value 

 of this. Bathe all wounds thoroughly with it ; keep,from the air, 

 and let the part alone afterward, unless the dressing is removed, or 

 the wound is exposed to the open air. If necessary to open the 

 wound in the future, repeat the process of cleansing, as before 

 described. 



In case of an abscess formed under the skin (all deep-seated 

 abscesses), it should be thoroughly opened, and the wound douched 

 with the corrosive sublimate solution once or twice daily, taking 

 care that all the solution is removed from the wound or abscess. If 

 the corrosive sublimate is not at hand, boil water, in order to kill all 

 the germs in it, and douch with this ; but the solution is indispensable. 

 . In large wounds, it is best to have a piece of thin white muslin 

 saturated with the solution and laid on ; over this put a layer of 

 cotton also wet with it; the cloth will not irritate the wound as 

 much as cotton, and a layer of cotton has been found the best to 

 keep out the germs. 



It is very important to have the hair around the edge of the 

 wound clipped or shaved closely, as the cotton must lie close to the 

 skin to exclude the air and germs. No adhesive plaster can be used 

 under this dressing ; the parts must be drawn together with stitches, 

 if anything. See regular treatment, page 568, First Part, and page 

 21Y, Second Part. 



