i88 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
region of the spine or bony points, the hands or fingers should after 
disinfection be thrust in and the wound explored for dead pieces of 
bone, which may occasionally be found and should be removed, after 
which the cavity should be cleansed by syringing it out with dis- 
infecting lotions and the wound dressed, and a large piece of lint 
steeped in some camphorated oil, dikamali ointment or some other 
preparation which will keep flies away [see Part III, Formulae 128, 
130 and 137) should be placed between the lips of the wound to 
prevent its closing too rapidly. Dressings can be kept in place by 
using strips of good resin plaster. The cavity will require dressing 
at least once daily till healed. In neglected cases when the skin has 
become undermined, and this may be extensive in every direction, 
to promote the healing process it is necessary to have recourse to 
caustic solutions. The cavities should be syringed out v/ith tincture 
of iodine, i to 2 drs. to the pint, carbolic acid (i to 20), or sulphate 
of zinc or copper lotion, 5 grs. to the ounce (also see Part III, 
Formulae 98 to 102), after which as a rule healing commences; 
if not, the injection must be repeated every second or third day till 
the wound assumes a healthy aspect. Where pockets exist, one or 
more openings should be made so that the discharges can completely 
drain away. Pieces of tape previously disinfected may be passed 
from the original wound through the new openings and then knotted, 
or a piece of wood tied at each of the ends to keep them from 
slipping through ; the tapes should be moved up and down once or 
twice a day and removed as soon as a healthy discharge issues 
(.9^6" Setons, page 113). In old standing cases a blister or strong 
liniment applied over the undermined portion but not on the wound 
itself often promotes healing. All incisions through the skin should 
as much as possible be made in the direction of the natural folds or 
wrinkles^ not across them, otherwise they will gape and when 
healed leave ugly scars [see Fig. 36). 
Serous Abscess. 
What are known as serous abscesses are occasionally met with, 
they may contain blood or serum. 
Causes. — Falls or severe blows. 
Symptoms. — After a heavy fall or a severe blow, a swelling 
suddenly appears, fluctuation may be detected, there may be no heat 
or pain as in an acute abscess containing matter, the effused material 
may be blood or serum the result of direct injury to the underlying 
tissues, or rupture of some of the vessels. 
