42 
CENTRAL VETERINARY MEDTCAL SOCIETY. 
ANTISEPTIC TREATMENT OF WOUNDS. 
The Secretary (G. Armatage) afterwards, at the request of the 
chairman, introduced for discussion “ The Treatment of Wounds by 
the Antiseptic Method,” and in the course of his remarks pointed 
out the various conditions in the several kinds of wounds, which are 
thought to be inimical to the process of healing by the first inten- 
tion. The presence of dead or devitalised tissue occasioned by the 
primary injury, and the action of offending particles of microscopical 
characters floating in the atmosphere of stables, cow-houses, &c., as 
well as irritating agents of a material character ever present in 
places where animals are confined, were successively discussed. The 
consequences of such action, the speaker endeavoured to show, 
are, respectively, greater irritation, obstruction of the healing pro- 
cess, extended injury to surrounding tissues by ulceration, sloughing, 
and the subsequent opening of joints, when the injury has been 
inflicted in their vicinity, with inevitable loss of usefulness, and even 
death from irritative fever, pyaemia, &c., all of which he contended 
could be greatly, if not wholly, averted by the timely use of the so- 
called antiseptic method. The views of Harvieux, Lister, and Barlow 
were given and dilated upon, all of which tended to show that pus 
is not necessary to the proper cicatrisation of wounds. The opinion 
is by no means new ; it is, however, tenaciously opposed by those 
of the old school who cling to the belief that reparation is in propor- 
tion to the discharge of pus. The speaker concluded by giving an 
outline of the method pursued in the different cases coming under 
his notice, as well as details of collateral treatment, which form essen- 
tial items in the category of the system, and require as strict observ- 
ance in their fulfilment as any other. 
The debate which followed was sustained in an animated de- 
gree, for a considerable time; the tenor of the discussion was 
certainly not in favour of a departure from the present generally 
pursued plan. The possibility of carbolic acid having any antiseptic 
power upon wounds was questioned by Mr. Mavor. Mr. Hunting 
considered wounds discharging laudable pus required no antiseptic ; 
others variously gave their opinions on the power or inability of car- 
bolic acid to arrest or promote the secretion of pus, and the majority 
shared the opinion that the proper cicatrisation of wounds could be 
carried on without the so-thought needful formation and discharge 
of that fluid. 
Mr. Armatage , in reply, observed that, if minute particles having 
rritant properties are to be found in the atmosphere of buildings 
where purity and cleanliness are scrupulously attended to — if in such 
places from those microscopical germs gangrene and death frequently 
arise — how much more likely would they be found in the air of dirty 
stables and cow-houses. And, conversely, if recovery is more cer- 
tain ; death in reality being robbed of its victims among human 
patients, then veterinary surgeons are called upon to use means 
which are likely to secure similar immunity to their patients. Pre- 
judice against a system often arises from non-acquaintance with 
