40 



ablutions (washings). Crusfe or scabs, if any, may be removed 

 with the scissors or scraped away with the knife, but the finger- 

 nails must by no means be used for such a purpose, for the two- 

 fold reason that it is both filthy and dangerous. Handle the 

 wound only as is necessary; all needless handling irritates. If 

 the wound is deep, irrigations or injections can be combined with 

 the lotion in cleansing it. 



The essential condition of cleanliness applies not only to the 

 wound but also to the materials used for dressings, and soiled 

 cloths or bandages, and dirty oakum must be rigorously rejected; 

 everything coming in contact with a wound must be absolutely 

 clean, hands as well as instruments and dressings. 



In applying the various dressings unnecessary pressure should 

 be avoided, especially on the soft tissues. 



In the treatment of all wounds cleanliness is of more importance 

 then medication, but the two in combination, when thoroughly 

 and intelligently carried out, will leave no room for the propaga- 

 tion and ravages of those germs that cause formation of pus, and 

 retard the healing process. The first step in the treatment of a 

 wound is to have all utensils thoroughly clean. The farrier, or 

 whoever is to look after the injured animal, should have his 

 hands thoroughly clean, and in a clean can or bucket provide a 

 solution of creolin or other antiseptic 1 part, water 50 parts; and 

 several clean pieces of cotton, gauze, or oakum. Sponges are 

 cleaned with difficulty and should not be used. If the injury is one 

 that can be sutured (sewed) a needle and silk should be immersed 

 in a solution of creolin 1 part, water 50 parts; the hair around 

 the wound should be either shaved or clipped vnth a pair of 

 shears, the wound thoroughly cleansed by washing it with cotton 

 saturated with the creolin solution; all dirt and hair must be 

 removed, and all ragged edges, if any, cut away, and the edges 

 of the wound placed in contact with each other if possible and 

 held in place by the aid of sutures; the wound should then be 

 vriped dry with another piece of cotton or gauze, and over the 

 surface should be dusted some iodoform or acetanilid, and, if the 

 location will allow it, it should be covered vrith a pad of gauze or 

 absorbent cotton, and a cotton bandage wrapped around the 

 parts to hold the pad in place. The wound should be dressed 

 once or twice a day until the formation of pus, if any, ceases; 

 then when the wound is dry, only the powder should be used. 



