THE TEEATMENT OF WOUNDS 39 



THE TREATMENT OP WOUNDS. 



What two forms of wound treatment are recognized 9 

 The aseptic and antiseptic methods. 



What does the aseptic method consist of ? 



It is of use only in fresh aseptic germ-free -wounds made 

 by the surgeon. Such a wound does not come in contact 

 with any antiseptics at all. It is dried with sterilized 

 tupfers, possibly irrigated with boiled water, and finally 

 dressed with a sterilized dry dressing. 



To what extent is the aseptic m,ethod of wov/nd treatment 

 applicable in veterinary surgery ? 

 In every-day practice it is not to be thought of. Most 

 wounds are old and infected or fresh and infected. The sur- 

 roundings are such that even should the desire exist to do 

 aseptic work, it simply cannot be executed. Aseptic treat- 

 ment of wounds can be best demonstrated at the colleges, but 

 to the average practitioner it only exists in theory. 



Outline the antiseptic treatment of wounds. 



This includes the production of a reasonably germ-free 

 state of the resting-place of the patient, or at least field of 

 operation of the wound, hands and arms of the operator, 

 instruments and dressings, and preventing subsequent infec- 

 tion by antiseptic dressings. 



1. Resting-place of the animal. — The operatior can be per- 

 formed anywhere. Either have a straw bed or what is the 

 best bed imaginable, one made up of a two to three inch 

 thick layer of southern pine shavings. Just previous to the 

 casting of the animal the bed is sprinkled with a 1 per cent, 

 carbolic acid or permanganate of potash solution. Under- 



