DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
887 
are indeed valuable preparations, but their indications are re¬ 
stricted to a single class of wounds, i. e., sutured wounds. They 
are applied by painting or spraying until a thick coating is 
formed. Iodoform ether and rosin ether are the most suitable 
for veterinary purposes. The former, although less occlusive 
than the latter, has the advantage of being readily removed 
when redressing or further treatment becomes necessary. 
Drying Powders. —Many wounds if liberally sprinkled with 
dry powders while still wet will heal under the artificial scab 
thus formed, especially if the sprinking is repeated often, but 
the method is by no means satisfactory. Protargol and iodo¬ 
form sugar are probably the best. 
Miscellaneous Substances. —In certain classes of wounds, 
especially those that will not admit of suturing or closing in 
any other manner, as, for example, large lacerations of the thigh, 
it is necessary to protect them with chemical substances that 
are actually cauterant. A one per cent, solution of mercuric 
chlorid, pure creolin, kerosene oil, probably all act in the same 
manner by slightly cauterizing the tissues and thus forming an 
even occlusive cover. Such treatment will of course slightly 
retard regeneration, but is the best method of preventing serious 
terminations from open wounds. 
Cotton and Oakum. —These wools are useful in punctured 
wounds to protect against intruding organisms as well as to ab¬ 
sorb wound secretions. They are applied soaked in antiseptic 
solutions and held in place either with sutures or by packing 
them firmly into the orifice. 
It is now seen how complex, difficult and unsatisfactory is 
the task of properly occluding the w r ounds that cannot be 
clothed with fabrics, but to take advantage of all that can be 
done in this direction let us classify this large category of 
wounds and discuss the possibilities in each class :— 
1. Sutured wounds that require no drainage. 
2. Sutured wounds that require drainage. 
3. Punctured wounds, including fistulous tracts, having good 
drainage. 
4. Punctured wounds, including fistulous tracts, having no 
satisfactory drainage. 
5. Targe or small lacerations that cannot be sutured and 
must be treated as open wounds. 
1. Sutured Wounds that Require No Drainage. —This class 
of wounds are very common, and unless located where there is 
much motion they should heal by immediate union. The 
