THE TREATMENT OP SPECIPIO -WOUNDS 45 



not indicated. Active local antiseptic treatment, to encourage 

 separation of sloughs, to prevent septic complications, are 

 essential. For this purpose, warm, moist antiseptic dressings 

 frequently changed, and, above all, constant irrigation, are 

 valuable. 



Describe the treatment of old and suppurating wounds. 



The rules laid down for " lacerated and contused wounds " 

 are applicable. Suppurating wounds about the head as old 

 as one week may be healed by third intention as follows : 

 Dress the wound with sweet oil, scrub it clean with P. & D. 

 mercury soap; remove all shreds; irrigate with 1:500 bi- 

 chloride of mercury solution (use several quarts) ; freshen the 

 edges; coaptate the wound surface absolutely with aseptic 

 silk and cover with dry antiseptic dressing. 



Drescribe the treatment of gunshot wounds. 



When the hemorrhage is intense, ligate the proximal and 

 distal ends of the vessel, if necessary enlarging the wound 

 sufficiently to get to it. Do not probe with the finger or 

 probe unless the entrance of the wound indicates that some 

 septic material (piece of the harness, saddle, blanket, etc.) 

 has been carried along; those wounds demanding exploration 

 liecause of extensive lacerations or destruction of vital parts 

 can be probed, as the creature is usually doomed. It is not 

 necessary to probe for the missile unless it interferes with the 

 process of healing. Should the projectile become a source of 

 irritation subsequently after healing is well established, it 

 may then be removed with proper surgical precautions. 

 Ordinarily, unless the wound is extensive, disinfect it and its 

 surroundings and apply an antiseptic dressing. Extensive 

 wounds and those manifestly septic are best given the open 

 "wound treatment. The wound tract should not be disturbed 



