800 
G. A. JOHNSON. 
removed, leaving a cavity so large as to preclude coaptation of 
the parts. The wound was cleansed of blood clots, shreds, etc.,, 
and seeping partially checked by means of wiping with gauze 
and a powder composed of about three drachms each of boracic 
acid and acetanilid was put into the cavity and the wound in 
the skin closed with sutures, and the parts well dusted with 
some of the same powder as used in the wound. The animal 
was allowed to get up and was placed in a box stall in a large 
boarding barn and placed-upon a light diet for a few days. The 
case made a rapid and complete recovery ; was driven on the 
tenth day after the operation. 
Following the operation there was no fever, loss of appetite 
or swelling of the parts, other than a slight oedema of the 
sheath ; no pus was formed except some around the sutures 
about a week after the operation, notwithstanding the fact that 
on the second day after operating I introduced my finger be¬ 
tween the sutures, breaking down the adhesions to allow the 
escape of a small quantity of serum that had collected in the 
cavity. The only other treatment used was the daily applica¬ 
tion of cold water from a hose attached to a city hydrant. 
The same modus operandi , except the dieting, was followed 
in the castration of a cryptorchid, and in the removal of a tumor 
from the breast of a horse ; the tumor case made a rapid recovery, 
leaving but a slight scar, but I never heard from the castration 
case after the operation. 
In wounds, where there is a large cavity, but where the 
powder and sutures cannot be applied with a reasonable assur¬ 
ance of success, pack the cavity with antiseptic gauze or absorb¬ 
ent cotton. I prefer the gauze, as it is easier to introduce, it is 
retained better and can be withdrawn with less trouble; the 
desired amount of liquid or powdered antiseptic can be applied 
to, or within the folds of, the gauze. This packing should be 
changed as frequently as the case demands, usually once a day 
or every second day. 
I have treated two cases of fistula of the withers and one 
abscess of the shoulder by this method with good results. 
