The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-01-26

tne cut. luls ShHuS VIII hihuoA s-~
healing process so that 1t must De
overcome by bringing the edges to-
gether by some sort of sutures or
pins or by a bandage applied from
below upward. As suture material,
ordinary cotton thread is good, If well
sterilized, as is also horsehair, catgut,
silk and various kinds Of wire.
If the suture Is made too tight, the
subsequent swelling may cause the
stitch to tear out. In order to make
a firm suture, the depth Of the stitch
should be the same as the distance
the stitch is from the edge of the
wound. The deeper the suture the
more tissue is embraced and the few
er the number Of stitches required.
Process Of Healing.
In those cases where perfect stop
page of bleeding, perfect joining of
the edges of the wound, and perfect
cleanliness are obtained, healing oc-
ours rapidly, without the formation
Of granulations, pus or proud flesh,
by what is termed first intention. If
wounds do not heal in this manner
they will gap somewhat and become
warm and painful. Healing then oc-
ours by granulation or with suppura-
ton, which is termed healing by Sec
ond intention. The sides Of the
wound become covered with granula-
ton tissue which may fill the wound
and sometimes overlap the lips, form
ing fungoid growth called proud
flesh. Under favorable conditions the
edges Of the wound appear to grow to-
gether by the end Of the first week,
and the whole surface gradually be-
comes dry, and finally covered with
augmented skin, when the wound Is
healed.
All antiseptics are not equally de-
structive, and some germs are more
susceptible to one antiseptic than to
another. The most important are (1)
bichloride Of mercury, which is to be
preferred on horses. 1t becomes weak
ened in its action if placed in wood
en- pail or on an oily or greasy sur
face. 1t is used in the strength Of 1
part of bichloride to 1000 to 5000
parts of water, according to the deli
cacy of the tissue to which it is ap-
piled. (2) Carbolic acid in from 2
to 5 per cent solution is used on in
fected wounds and for cleaning in
struments, dressings and sponges. It
unites well with oil and is preferred
to the bichloride on greasy surface.
A 8 per cent solution in oil Is often
used under the name Of carbolized oil.
(3) aluminium acetate is an efficient
and cheap antiseptic, and is composed
of 1 part alum and 5 parts ace
tate of lead, mixed in 20 parts Of wa
ter. (4) Boric acid is good, in 2 to
4 per cent solution, to cleanse wounds
and wash eyes. Compound cresol may
be used in 1 to 8 per cent solution
in water. Iodoform acts as an ano-
dyne, stimulates granulation and
checks wound secretion. A very eff
cacious and inexpensive powder is
made by taking parts Of iodoform
and 95 parts of sugar, making what is
called iodoform sugar. Tannic acid Is
a useful drug in the treatment Of
wounds, as it arrests hemorrhage,
checks secretion and favors the for
nation of a scab. A mixture Of 1
part tannic acid and 8 parts iodo-
form is good in suppurating wounds.
Iodol, white sugar, ground and roast
ed coffee and powdered charcoal are
all used as protectives and absorbents
on suppurating surfaces. More de-
ponds on the care and the method Of
application Of the drug than on the
drug itself.
On aseptic wounds use only those
antiseptics that do not irritate the It's
sue. If care is used in the application
of the antiseptic, corrosive sublimate
or carbolic acid is to be recommended.
In order to keep air from the wound
and to absorb all wound secretions
rapidly, dressing should be applied.
If the wound is aseptic, the dressing
should be likewise, such as sterilized
cotton gauze, oakum or tow. This
dressing should be applied with uni
form pressure at, all times and Sc
cured by a bandage. Allow 1t to re-
main for a week or ten days If the
wound is aseptic or If the dressing
does not become loose or misplaced or
become drenched with secretiOns from
the wound, or If pain, fever or loss Of
appetite does not develop. The dress
ing should then be removed, the wound
treated antiseptically, and a sterilized
applied.
Healing Under a Scab.
This often occurs in small superb
cial wounds that have been kept asep-
tic. In order that scab may form,
the wound must not gap, secrete free
ly or become infected with germs. The
Of scab is favored by
or styptics, such as tannic
acid, iodoform and per cent solution
Of zinc chloride. In case Of fistulous
open joints or other large,
hollow wounds that cannot be dressed,
antisepsis may be obtained by warm
water irrigation, with or without an
antiseptic fluid. It should continue
day and night, and never be interrupt-
f~bk