SURGERY* 



"Wounds 



Define wounds. Give a classification of wounds. 



A wound is any injury accompanied by a breach in the continuity 

 of an internal or external surface. 



According to cause, wounds are classified as follows: incised, 

 lacerated, punctured, contused, stab, gun-shot, bites and caustic. 



What is wound infection? Give treatment of wound infection. 



The presence of microorganisms or their toxic products in a 

 wound. Treatment : Drain, irrigate, disinfect thoroughly, and cover 

 with aseptic gauze and bandage. Eepeat dressing daily. If im- 

 practicable to bandage, apply a protective covering of dusting 

 powder. 



State the general principles of antiseptic wound treatment. 



Remove foreign bodies and necrotic tissue, cleanse wound thor- 

 oughly and use a non-irritating antiseptic agent. Cover the wound 

 with antiseptic gauze and bandage. In case of operative wounds, 

 the site of operation is shaved, washed and bathed with an anti- 

 septic agent; if possible an antiseptic pack should be applied for 

 24 hours prior to operating. The operator's hands, nails and arms 

 should be scrupulously cleansed with soap, water and a stiff brush, 

 then with alcohol or ether to dissolve all oily secretions, and, finally, 

 immersed for ten minutes or longer in the antiseptic agent. The 

 instruments, suture material, dressings, etc., are disinfected by being 

 placed in the antiseptic solution for 10 minutes before using. They 

 should be handled only by the operator's disinfected hands. After 

 operation and at subsequent visits, dressings are carried out as 

 directed above. 



State the distinction between antiseptic and aseptic wound treatment. 



In antiseptic wound treatment, as described above, there are 

 many channels of infection overlooked, as from the air, breath of 

 operator, etc.; furthermore, most antiseptic solutions, if efficient 

 germicides are irritating to the tissues and retard healing. 



Aseptic wound treatment may be defined as the precaution to 

 prevent infection of the surgical wound, while antiseptic surgery 

 refers to the method by which the former is accomplished and to 



* Unless otherwise stated all questions relate to the horse. 

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