Observations on some of the more recent methods of treating wounds; and, On excision of the knee-joint / by Edward Lund.

  • Lund, Edward.
Date:
[1870]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on some of the more recent methods of treating wounds; and, On excision of the knee-joint / by Edward Lund. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    better than it, to check,, and; if possible, destroy entirely, the tendency which exists in the secretions of wounds to undergo putrefaction. As soon as we clearly comprehend this object, the particular method of accomplishing it will resolve itself into a matter of detail. No plan has attracted greater attention than that which has been so much advocated by Prof. Lister, and to which the late Mr. Syme added his valuable testimony, with the pointed remark that he c< regarded this system of treating wounds and surgical cases, as one of the most important improvements in surgical practice of recent times.” It may be well to recur again to the way in which putrefaction is brought about in animal substances generally. There are four conditions required for the development of putrefaction to its full extent, each of which is alike essential. In the first place, there must be animal matter ready for putrefaction, for all animal fluids or solids are not equally disposed to this change, and as far as fluids are concerned, the condition of nerve-power in the constitution of the person secreting them will influence the result; secondly, a certain high temperature is requisite for the development of putrefaction; thirdly, the presence of moisture ; and fourthly, the access of air, not to mention germs or fermentable matter. Now, if any one of these four conditions be deficient, putrefaction will be retarded; if more than one be imperfect, it may possibly be avoided altogether. Thus, with regard to the preservation of animal substances, muscular tissue, gelatine, &c., if they are rapidly dried at a low heat, and the watery element which enters so largely into the composition of even the most solid of animal tissues be entirely removed, no putrefactive change will take place. Or, if a certain temperature be not attained, if the animal matter can be preserved at a temperature a little above that of the freezing point, say from 30° to 40° Fahr., putrefaction will not occur : most decidedly it will not occur where the animal matter is retained at a temperature below that point. This is well known to those who have lived in colder climates than ours. In Canada, for example, it is not at all unusual for meat for domestic purposes to be purchased in a frozen state and placed in an ice house, where it is