ANTISEPTIC SURGERY. 69 



mercury thus farmed has no antiseptic power. Carrosiye sublimate 

 solutions also have very little penetrating effect on fat. Conse- 

 quently, this salt of mercury is not a reliable antiseptic. As car- 

 bolic acid does not coagulate albumin, and readily combines with 

 fat. a solution of it is particularly effective for cleaning the seat 

 of an operation. Corrosive sublimate is used at a strength of from 

 5 to 10 grains to a pint of water. 



It is well to remember that ordinary oil has a protective action 

 on bacteria, and is therefore much inferior to water, vaseline, or 

 glycerine as a " vehicle " for an antiseptic. For this reason, the 

 once popular carbolic oil is now seldom used. The following 

 application, devised for open wounds and sores, especially in hot 

 climates, may be recommended in its place : — 



Carbolic acid 1 oz. 



Camphor 5 ,, 



Resin or shellac 1 „ 



Methylated spirits 15 „ 



The carbolic acid is an antiseptic; the camphor is a sedative; 

 the resin leaves a fine coating over the part to protect it ; and the 

 carbolic acid and camphor prevent flies from lodging on it, but 

 only for a few hours, as both these drugs are volatile. 



As a DRY ANTISEPTIC DRESSING, one cannot do better than 

 employ tannoform (p. 636), iodoform (p. 624), or equal parts of 

 iodoform and tannin. 



Antiseptic Surgery. 



There are two courses open in operations with the knife. First, 

 when the wound is in healthy tissue, and can be dressed, and kept 

 under thoroughly antiseptic precautions, so as to obtain union 

 without the formation of matter (pus). Secondly, when this 

 .favourable result cannot be obtained in its entirety, in which case 

 attempts should be made to bring about repair in the best manner 

 possible. 



When adopting strict antiseptic methods, it is necessary, during 

 the operation and until the part has resumed its ordinary power 

 of resisting infection, to prevent the entrance of germs or other 

 material which might injuriously affect the health of the wound, 

 or the general health of the animal. The application of anti- 

 septics to a wound in healthy tissue is a necessary evil; if the 

 part could be kept ^n a state of absolute cleanliness without their 

 aid, the wound, being free from their more or less irritating effects, 

 would heal quicker without them. In veterinary surgery, when 

 using the knife at all freely, the employment of antiseptics can 

 very rarely be dispensed with, supposing, of course, that the object 



