One of the immediate consequences of the introduction of the antiseptic
method has been a remarkable mitigation of the horrors of war. Our
recent war with Spain has proved, and the present military operations
in the Philippines and of the British in South Africa will still
further prove, its advantages. Witness a little book written by
Professor von Esmarch, of Kiel, Germany, with the apt title, _The Fight
of Humanity Against the Horrors of War_; with an appendix, entitled,
“The Samaritan on the Battle-field.” One of the most valuable means
for the preservation of human life is carried by every soldier in a
modern civilized army as a part of his regulation outfit, a “First
Aid Package” for the treatment of any wound or injury; and one of the
most valuable and interesting papers read before the American Surgical
Association, at its meeting in Chicago in 1899, was by Professor
Senn on the “First Aid Package.” This first aid package contains an
antiseptic dressing, which can be applied to all but the gravest wounds
for the purpose of preventing infection, which is the principal danger
to life after accident or injury. The universal testimony of our
surgeons in Cuba was that by its use most wounds were prevented from
becoming infected, and, therefore, inflamed, and that the number of
operations was greatly diminished by reason of its use.