THE TREATMENT OF SPECIFIC 'WOUNDS 43 



Outline the treatment of wounds in general. 



1. Stop the hemorrliage "by compression, ligation or 

 torsion (heat, actual cautery and styptics) . 



3. Do not probe with instrument or finger unless you are 

 sure that no septic mateiial is carried into the wound by 

 doing so. Remove all foreign bodies whenever possible ; 

 pick them out with an artery forceps, wash them out with a 

 stream of bichloride of mercury solution. In cases of lacera- 

 tion or contusion look upon the torn tissues as beyond repair 

 and remove them with the scissors. Clean the wound by 

 scrubbing its neighborhood with P. & D. mercury soap, cut 

 off all hair along its edges and if possible shave the edges. 

 Wash out the wound with some antiseptic solution (bichloride 

 of mercury 1 : 500), ridding it of all bloodolots, etc. 



3. Drainage, closure and dressing. — All infected wounds 

 must be drained, also large and deep ones. For that purpose 

 use gauze strips or oakum strands. Deep, lacerated and con- 

 tused wounds when infected ought not to be closed by 

 sutures, but the " open wound treatment " is best instituted. 

 Superficial wounds which can be asepticized and those which 

 are aseptic should be sutured. In suturing a wound, avoid 

 excessive tension, as the circulation of the parts is interfered 

 with by it, leading to sloughing. Wherever possible, apply 

 an antiseptic dressing. 



THE TREATMENT OF SPECIFIC WOUNDS. 



X)pscribe the treatment of a fresh incised tvound. 



Arrest the hemorrhage, but do not use styptic agents if 

 it can be avoided ; remove all foreign bodies ; clean the 

 wound by antiseptic irrigations. When superficial, no 

 <drainage is necessary ; otherwise drain at the most dependent 



