The Times of Monday published an article from a medical
corre- spondent showing that the experience of surgeons after the battle of Jutland Bank confirms the methods of Sir Almroth Wright in combating sepsis. Sepsis—that is, blood-poisoning--was quite as common in the seamen's wounds as in those of soldiers on land. It seems, therefore, since. bacteria do not thrive at sea, that the doctors were too precipitate in blaming the soil of Flanders. The infection in the ease of both soldiers and sailors probably comes from the clothing and skin. The Listerian antiseptic method for treating wounds of course requires continual dressings. Sir Almroth Wright's method, which is commended by the naval surgeons and does away with the painful dressings, is that of continuous saline irrigation. A gentle jet of saline solution plays continually on the wound. Healing is more rapid, and no injury is done, as in the case of antiseptic dressing, to the sensitive sheath of the bone. Lint, wool, and bandages stop the free discharge of lymph, and are also a breeding-ground for fresh germs. Of course, a dressing must be used for protection on the field, but in the hospital the lint and bandages are in a fair way to disappear.
Previous page
