'Military Report on S.-W. Persia, Vol. I. Bakhtiari Garmsir' [‎27v] (59/168)

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Fenestrated glass tubes answer the purpose best, and should be
employed here during the summer in every possible case. In
all cases, more urgently so with small wounds without means for
drainage, it is of advantage to have the dressings changed morning
and evening when the edges can be slightly separated with forceps.
Most wounds will granulate in a few days by the use of 1 in 25
carbolic acid "on the first day, and then daily 1 in 40 with some
boric-iodoform as dusting powder. In the case of deep abscesses
with small incisions, a few times syringing with same solutions will
greatly accelerate the process. A small piece of lint soaked in
hazeline and applied for a few days will often tend to hasten cica
trization.
Of abscesses, those on the palms and fingers, and also of the soles,
deserve mention from the frequency with which they have to be
dealt with. They affect chiefly those whose occupation compels them
to handle material (iron, &c.) heated up by the sun, but others are
not exempt. In most cases there is not even an abrasion of skin
to permit of infection, and contact with the hot article under a tem
perature varying from 130-160° F. seems sufficient. Some non
conducting material to protect the hands would perhaps prevent
this trouble, and the experiment will be watched at our works where
it is being instituted. ^ The native footgear {giveh), which the
Lur can use with impunity, however cooling and comfortable in a
house or tent, should never be worn here in a long summer’s march.
Comfortably fitting boots, even if warmer, will protect the feet from
abscesses much more effectively.
Bullet wounds and general injuries if taken in hand early will
heal well and rapidly in the hot season under ordinary, precautions.
In the winter healing is much slower and not much different, I
should think, from any other place. The Lurs are anything but
attentive to bandages, and they will frequently remove them;, ex
posing the wound to satisfy their curiosity. Much unnecessary
trouble arises therefrom. The cases of bullet wounds (as a rule
in the limbs) that consented to be detained in hospital, usually
recovered in from 5 to 20 days, according to size and severity of
the wound.
Ulcevs account for about 60% of all the dressings done at the
dispensary in the autumn and winter when the tribes come down
from the north. Many are neglected suppurating sores, and not a
few are specific in those who are in frequent touch with towns.
Some may resist treatment for a time, but they will heal with or
dinary means if the patients persevere. Unfortunately they do
not do so and depart immediately improvement commences, to
return in a worse condition.