DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
51 
such substance ever will exist, in spite of the fact that such an 
agent would be of inestimable value. The more the subject is 
discussed the more apparent becomes the necessity of taking ad¬ 
vantage of aseptic surgery when possible, instead of depending 
upon the doubtful possibilities of antiseptic surgery. The fact 
that an organism once located within a wound is really a 
tenacious enemy to dislodge should be a warning not to permit 
its entrance. 
Given a recent accidental wound that has just been subjected 
to the treatment described in the foregoing steps, what form 
and manner of sterilization does it require ? Granted now that 
it has been examined, trimmed, and all haemorrhage arrested, 
what further should be done before it is finally sutured or other¬ 
wise closed ? Let us take, for an example, a wound caused by 
the kick of a horse ; one that has been exposed for several 
hours. The shoe has in all probability carried pus organisms 
into its deepest parts and the dust of the stable has no doubt 
polluted its whole superficial area. Now, if such a wound is 
simply bathed with an antiseptic solution and closed with su¬ 
tures, then protected as well as possible, it will be discharging 
pus often in thirty hours, and in six days the whole affair bursts 
open and leaves an ugly wound, which is always unfavorably 
commented upon by the interested observers. What veterin¬ 
arian has never heard the remark, “The stitches have all 
broken, come and sew it up again, doctor ” ? It is indeed a 
poor strategist w r ho cannot find some logical excuse for such an 
accident, but the real cause in 90 per cent, of the cases is sepsis. 
Poor drainage, movements of the patient and tight sutures may 
all be the cause of a wound breaking open ; but when properly 
sterilized the chances of such a disaster are materially lessened. 
The first treatment to apply to such a wound is a patient 
bath of hot w r ater at about 115 0 Fahr., scrupulously clean ster¬ 
ilizer when possible, and containing a small amount of mercuric 
chlorid or carbolic acid. One to 2000 of the former and 1 to 
100 of the latter is strong enough for this purpose. The aim 
in this is to wash out clotted blood, loose shreds, pus or what¬ 
ever the wound contains, and at the same time disinfect and 
take advantage of the invigorating effect of heat to a wounded 
tissue. The next step is to irrigate with a stronger solution, 
1-1000 mercuric chlorid, 1-100 formalin, 1-30 carbolic acid, or 
1-6 chlorozone may be used for this purpose. They should be 
applied by syringing quite forcibly into every recess for 5 to 15 
minutes, or even longer, according to the probable amount of 
