QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 207 



the treatment of unavoidable infections. So, antiseptic wound 

 treatment is giving way to the aseptic method. This latter, as its 

 name implies, aims toward the absolute freedom from septic mate- 

 rial. This is accomplished by sterilizing all instruments, dressings, 

 bandages, etc., with steam, hot air, or boiling in a one or two per cent. 

 soda solution. The wound is cleansed with sterile water or steril- 

 ized physiological salt solution, but no antiseptic solution, and 

 covered with the sterilized dressing. The operator's hands are 

 cleansed as in the antiseptic method but are rinsed in sterile water 

 to remove all traces of the antiseptic. Some operators use sterilized 

 rubber gloves. The operating table, operating field, operator's 

 clothes, assistants, all utensils and the air of the room must be 

 rendered aseptic. This method is impracticable in veterinary sur- 

 gery for obvious reasons. The antiseptic method with aseptic pre- 

 cautions is preferred. 



Mention and describe the different methods of wound healing. 



1. Healing hy first intention consists of a direct union of the 

 margins of the wound through immediate agglutination and without 

 suppuration. 



2. Healing by second intention is characterized by suppuration 

 and granulation. 



3. Healing hy third intention consists in the artificial union of 

 wound surfaces that are already granulating and suppurative. It 

 is effected by disinfecting and suturing the suppurative granulations. 



4. Healing under an eschar is a form of primary wound healing. 

 The protective coat may be dried blood or a scab produced by actual 

 cautery, chemical caustics, dusting powders, etc. 



5. Healing by abnormal granulation and cicatrization takes 

 place when great loss of substance occurs, when foreign bodies or 

 necrosed pieces of tissue remain in the wound, or when continued 

 infection or irritation occurs in fresh or healing wounds. 



State the indications for the use of the continuous suture. 



In non-infected wounds where healing by first intention is antici- 

 pated; in visceral wounds where perfect closure is imperative; and 

 in cases where temporary retention of dressings in the traumatic 

 cavity is desired. 



Mention the indications for the reopening of wounds. 



When infection occurs in the deeper part of a wound as shown 

 by escape of discharges or swelling; when necrosed tissue or other 

 foreign bodies are present in the deeper part of the wound. In 

 wound infection diseases as septicemia, tetanus, etc. 



