thoroughly cleansed in the same way before the stitches are put in. Such
wounds unless they are large, need not be dressed for a day or two, unless
there is soreness or pain. If the wound is sore and throbs it should be
redressed immediately. Some discharge will no doubt he found penned in,
and needs a drain through which to escape. This does not usually happen,
and if it does, the wound was infected (poisoned) and then needs dressing
once or twice a day, and full vent given to any discharge that may be
present. The dressing immediately over the wound should then be thick and
soft so as to absorb the discharge that may be present. The stitches are
usually removed in small wounds the third or fourth day. This is easily
done, with a sharp pointed scissors or knife; put one point underneath the
stitch next to the knot, cut it off and with the forceps take hold of the
knot and pull it out gently. It comes away easily as a rule.

[ACCIDENTS AND POISONS 393]

Torn Wounds should be trimmed. That is, cut away the torn pieces and then
stitch together as for other wounds. Of course all the tissue possible
should be saved and only ragged flesh should be cut away. This would die
anyway, and prove a foreign body, and would be very apt to cause pus.
These wounds should be dressed the same way as previously directed.

Sometimes bleeding may cause trouble. Usually, hot water constantly
applied will stop it. Pressing above the part will often stop bleeding. If
an artery is cut it will spurt red blood. The artery should be tied and
pressure made upon the limb above the cut toward the body; or tying the
limb tight. If a finger or toe is cut and bleeds much, press on each side.
The arteries are there. Put the limb high and the head low. Bandaging a
limb tight, beginning at the end, often stops bleeding. Stimulants' are
sometimes necessary for a time.

Punctured Wounds.--From a sharp pointed instrument, nail, etc. The first
thing to do is to cleanse the wound thoroughly with hot water and about
one-half ounce of salt to a pint of water. Keep this up constantly for
one-half hour. Then if it is from a nail, put on a bread and milk poultice
hot, and keep changing it every ten minutes to keep it good and hot. Keep
this going for at least an hour. Salt pork can then be put on and kept on;
or a cloth dipped in hot salt water can be applied, and kept on for a few
hours when it can be dressed as other wounds are. There should be no
throbbing pa