Excerpt from Conditions Underlying the Infection of Wounds

That the presence of certain kinds of bacteria is an essential condi tion of wound infection is a fact so well established, and so generally recognized, that no discussion as to this point is likely to arise in this assembly. The practical results of the application of this doctrine to the management of wounds are the most eloquent testimony to its life saving truth. The recognition of this truth, even before its complete demonstration, and the introduction of methods of wound treatment based upon it, will remain the immortal merit of Lister, even although every detail of his treatment be replaced by measures found by riper experience to be better suited to the purpose.

The simple conception which was the basis of early antiseptic proced ures in surgery - that a wound to which bacteria gain access becomes infected in the same way as a sterilized infusion of meat undergoes putrefaction when a single suitable germ enters - has been greatly modified. Furthermore, it is found that the traumatic infections pre sent their own peculiar problems, which must be studied by them selves, and cannot be solved by analogies drawn from observations of other specific infections, such as anthrax and the septicaemias of the lower animfls. The study of wound infections involves the considera tion of many varying and often complicated factors, relating both to the agents of infection and to the individual exposed to infection.

Without consuming time with any historical review, I shall proceed at once to indicate some of the questions which are of especial import ance, and which may be profitably considered in this discussion.

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