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.
1 Keep the area dry for the first 48 hours after stitches have been placed.  Then, you can start to gently wash around the site 1 to 2 times daily. Wash with cool water and soap. Clean as close to the stitches as you can. DO NOT wash or rub the stitches directly.