Septic Wounds

WHENEVER a surface has been cut, lacerated, or in any way injured, so that the surface can absorb germ life from the instrument inflicting the wound, from the dressings used to cover it up, or from the dirt of the skin itself, we are very apt to get in a few days what used to be known as sympathetic fever, but which is no more or less than the septic fever, or the systemic manifestation of germ absorption. Fever, loss of appetite, headache, swelling and tenderness of the wound, with perhaps pus formation, are the natural outcome of such absorption. Hence it will readily be seen from what has been previously said about sepsis, that the first indication in all cuts is to disinfect the area injured with some one of the germicidal solutions. None is cheaper than corrosive sublimate in the strength of one part to two thousand. This, in many cases, is all that need be clone. If the cut is to be sewn up, the wound is first cleaned with corrosive sublimate or oil of milk solution (a half teaspoonful to one quart of water), and then sewn with needle and thread that have been boiled five minutes. The dressings or bandage should be disinfected with steam before being applied.
Druggists nowadays keep in stock aseptic gauze meant for precisely this class of cases, lacerated wounds, etc.