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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    an extreme degree that quality of which carbolic acid is not entirely deficient, namely, a tendency to irritate and itself produce inflam¬ mation of the tissues to which it is applied. I doubt not, if the same careful experiments had been made with creasote as have been carried out with carbolic acid, very similar results would have been arrived at. Carbolic acid, however, is more manageable, it is more readily soluble in water, miscible to an almost unlimited degree with oil, glycerine, and alcohol, and, by reason of its greater purity as a chemical preparation, it can be made free from extraneous irritating matter. Thus, when these two bodies are placed side by side, although, in some respects, they possess a similar nature, carbolic acid seems to have many properties to re¬ commend it which are absent in creasote. In the use of carbolic acid in the treatment of wounds, as I have already stated, we must never forget to take every care that it shall not produce in¬ jurious effects upon the surrounding healthy tissues, and that it shall be used simply to check putrefaction, for this is its special mission of usefulness, and, this result secured, nature will do the rest. But here great difficulties, all of a practical kind, will meet us on every side, and much credit belongs to Professor Lister, to whom the profession is largely indebted for the great efforts he has made, with untiring industry, to work out his theory and overcome the difficulties. At the present time it would almost seem as if the El Dorado had been attained, for, by means of the most recent dressings which he has introduced, the lac plaster and the oil-silk protective, it may be fairly hoped we shall now be able so nearly to adjust the action of the antiseptic to its antiputrescent requirements and yet guard the tissues from injurious action, that we may steer a middle course and gain the object so earnestly sought for. But, it behoves the surgeon, who first attempts to put these principles into practice, that he should not be disheartened if he only secures a portion of the good results which, upon very creditable authority, are declared to have been produced by careful adherence to the mode of dressing wounds suggested by Professor Lister. Not only will he soon find, to his great reward, that in the management of wounds on this plan the amount of discharge, even if we deal only with the serosity or serous discharge from wounds^