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.
They need to be properly cared for to prevent significant scarring and infection. Here are suggestions on caring for stitches, courtesy of the American Academy of Family Physicians: 1  Keep the stitches clean and dry. 2  You should be able to wash the area within one to three days of getting the stitches.