First, the new Spanish government told the United States that it was willing to offer a change in the Reconcentration policies (the main set of policies that was feeding yellow journalism in the United States) if the Cuban rebels agreed to a cessation of hostilities.
Some were assigned to keep their stitched wounds dry and covered for at least 48 hours (the control group), and others were told to keep the dressing on to absorb immediate bleeding, then remove it and bathe as normal in the first 12 hours. None of the patients were on antibiotics.
Although it feels more secure when you have the stitches in, you should wait until it has had time to heal a little. Even after you get them out wait like 24 hours to use your hand normal. I just got my finger cut and had to have stitches and they told me to wash it with soap and water twice a day otherwise keep it out of the water. Keep a bandaid on it for the first two days, then leave it off to get the air to it. And don't soak it like doing dishes or taking a bath until after the stitches are out.