What should be avoided? How should the strips of plaster be removed from a wound? How is the union of the divided parts effected? 384. How should punctured and lacerated wounds be dressed? 385. What is the treatment of wounds caused by the bite of rabid animals?
Observation. Although animal poisons, when introduced into the circulating fluid through the broken surface of the skin, frequently cause death, yet they can be taken into the mouth and stomach with impunity, if the mucous membrane which lines these parts is not broken.
Fig. 81.
Fig. 81. a, a, Representation of wounds on the back part of the arm and fore-arm b, b, Wounds on the anterior part of the arm and fore-arm. By bending the elbow and wrist, the incisions at a, a, are opened, while those at b, b, are closed. Were the arm extended at the elbow and wrist, the wounds at a, a, would be closed, and those at b, b, would be opened.
386. The proper position of the limbs favors the union of wounds. If the incision be upon the anterior part of the leg, between the knee and ankle, extending the knee and bending the ankle will aid its closing. If it be upon the back part of the leg, by extending the foot and bending the knee, the gaping of the incision will be diminished. When wounds occur upon the trunk or upper extremities, let the position of the person be regarded.
386 Does the proper position of the limbs favor the union of wounds?