The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-07-23
HOW TO TREAT WOUNDS.

The following advice on how to treat
I wounds of farm animals Is given by
DR.. George NJ. Glover, veterinarian, OF
the Colorado Agricultural college, and
Is worthy every farmers attention.
Such advice should be kept where II
can be referred to when needed:
Animals on the farm are continually
being injured by accidents that happen
in a Thousand different ways. Barb
wire cuts are most frequent and a
word or two OF advice as to the proper
treatment In the hands Of farmers will
aot be amiss. The first thing to gain
a correct understanding of a san n
effective method Of treating wounds is
to remember that nature does the heal
ing and that remedies applied are sim
ply for the purpose of assisting nature.
The right mental attitude in this re-
spect will end to eliminate a thousand
and one nostrums which are tried in
rapid succession in the belief that there
Is somewhere, IL 1t could only be found,
a specific remedy with magical infiu-
ence TO bring about the desired recov-
cry In a marvellous way. Mankind has
been diligently seeking such remedies
for thousands of years and Is still
keeping up the search.
It is time that such a view Of the
situation, which is based purely upon
approximation, should be eliminated
and that we get dow to principles
Eased upon scientific research, and in
stead OF cropping blindly in the dark
seeking the where" let us always be
ready to inquire why"
The ordinary wound will heal Of tt
self IL not interfered with. This In
reference may be from germ infec-
ton. parasites or too much meddling
with applications on the part OF man.
Now, let us suppose a case. A horse
has a badly lacerated leg from contact
with a barb wire. The first thing to do,
Of course, would be to stop the bleed
ing.
This can be accomplished by a tight
bandage OF clean white muslin tied
directly owe the wound or above 1t.
Often the bleeding artery will pro-
trude and a thread can be run
under II with a needle and the artery
tied. Do not use flour, dirt or cobwebs
or anything of that sort on the wound;
they are unnecessary and may produce
dangerous infection. ..
Having stopped the bleeding, remove
the clots of blood and cut off the rag
ged edges of muscles with shears, A
pan of antfseptic solution should be
provided. One OF the best and cheap
est antiseptics on the farm, good for
man or beast, is creolin. Add a e
spoonful of this to a pint o fswater that
hos been boiled. Place the knife, shears,
etc, in this solution and wash the
hands before beginning.
After having cleaned out the wound
wash 1t thoroughly with the antiseptic
solution. See that there is good drain
age from the wound at the bottom.
Do not allow IT to start healing with
a pocket that will hold pus. "@Ets
AS II is practically impossible to keep
a wound on a horse a~ntiseptic, II is not
advisable for the farmer to tie up the
wound; leave it exposed to the air and
a. n1U fha n $40 kI-.A-
a day. Three good antiseptics are cor
rosive sublimate, which can be pur-
chased at the drug stores in tablets all
ready for use; formalin is good, as is
also a solution Of boracic acid.
After about a week 1t is we'll to
change to dry dressing; a powder COM
posed of equal parts OF boracic acid,
charcoal and iodoform makes a very
good dry dressing. Clean air-slaked
lime, powered yer the wound twice
daily, is very satisfactory. The So
called proud flesh" is only unhealthy
granulation.
1t is seldom advisable for the farm
er to interfere with this condition by
using caustics; the results are usually
disastrous; better in this case to call
in a qualified veterinarian. If mag
COTS should get into the wound a little
turpentine or chloroform will help
bring them to the surface, where they
may be picked out. / did not mention
sewing UP the wound, for the reason
that in case of the ragged barb wire
cut 1t is very seldom worth while to
do SO.
A wound to heal properly must be
gotten perfectly clean and free from
germs from the start and then kept
clean. Remember that it is largely a
matter of keeping dangerous germs out
and giving nature a chance. Too much
interference is often the cause of tardy
healing of wounds.