must not gap, secrete
freely, or become infected with germs. The formation of scab is favored
by astringents and styptics, such as tannic acid, iodoform, and 5 per
cent solution of zinc chlorid. In case of fistulous withers, open
joints, or other large, hollow wounds that can not 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
interrupted for more than eight hours, for germs will then have gained
headway and will be difficult to remove. Four or five days of irrigation
will be sufficient, for granulations will then have formed and pus will
remain on the outside if it forms. For permanent irrigation the stream
should be very small, or drop by drop, but should play over the entire
surface of the wound. It is always better to heal an infected wound
under a scab, or treat it as an open wound, than it is to suture it,
thus favoring the growth of the inclosed germs and retarding ultimate
healing. In the latter case pus may develop in the wound, form pockets
by sinking into the tissues, and cause various complications. The
pockets should be well drained, either through incisions at the bottom
or by drainage tubes or setons. They should then be frequently syringed
out or continuously irrigated. In case proud flesh appears it should be
kept down either by pressure or by caustics, as powdered bluestone,
silver nitrate, chlorid of antimony, or by astringents, such as burnt
alum. If they prove resistant to this treatment they may be removed by
scissors, the knife, or by searing with the hot iron. The following
rules for the treatment of wounds should be followed: (1) See that the
wound is clean, removing all foreign bodies. (2) For this purpose use a
clean finger rather than a probe. (3) All hemorrhage should be arrested
before closing the wound. (4) Antiseptics should only be used if you
suspect the wound to be infected. (5) When pus is present treat without
closing the wound. (6) This may be accomplished by drainage tubes,
absorbent dressings, setons, or continuous irrigations. (7) Protect the
wound against infection while healing.

LACERATED AND CONTUSED WOUNDS.

Lacerated and contused wounds may be described together although there
is, of course, this difference, that in contused wounds there is no
break or laceration of the skin. Lacerated wounds, however, are, as a
rule, also contused--the surrounding tissues are bruised to