We have already described the management of the wound which has been sutured shut. Some wounds are better left open, but then we can anticipate a longer healing period.

Now, which wounds should we leave open? For sure, one will find difficulty closing any wound which is accompanied by great skin loss; therefore one should think twice before attempting to close such wounds, simply because there is not enough skin to bring together (align) the edges. Closure would be impossible in this case; or, if we pull the edges together (placing them under strain), they will burst asunder in short order.

Secondly, if there is a great infection at…..