CLEANLINESS MOST NECESSARY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21508, 22 November 1939, Page 3

CLEANLINESS MOST NECESSARY

treatment of injuries to ANIMALS The great principle in the successful treatment of wounds and injuries to animals may be summed up in the word “cleanliness.” Cleanliness of the wound itself, of the dressings and of the dresser are of the greatest importance, and although wounds will often heal in spite of dirt and bad treatment, they do so much more quickly, much better, and more certainly when these points are strictly observed. On the other hand, the application of dirty dressings by dirty hands may be the means of spreading disease by infection of the wound, and consequently greatly aggravating the condition. Stoppage of bleeding, if serious, is the first thing to be attended to. In the majority of wounds of animals bleeding is not serious. The application of pressure by means of light bandaging is usually sufficient. In more serious cases the application of a tourniquet may be necessary. After stopping bleeding all external blood clots should be washed off with cold water and an antiseptic dressing applied. An antiseptic is an agent which either kills germs or prevents them growing on wounds; many are known, and although some may be preferred to others for special purposes, it is not, as a rule, of so much importance which particular one is used, as that it should be thoroughly and intelligently used. Probably the most satisfactory antiseptic for general purposes is tincture of iodine.

When a wound appears healthy and with no discharge, water should be used as little as possible and treatment restricted to the use of dry dressings. Where washing is necessary the wound and surrounding parts should be carefully dried afterwards and the dressings then applied. Frequent attention to the wound is probably better than the use of coverings to prevent infection by dirt and flies. The use of carbolic preparation sprayed round the edges of wounds will often act as a fly-deterrent.