A number of centres use tar ointment for its antipruritic and emollient properties.
In the story, it was sufficient to use the ointment well.
Wounds were closed and treated with antibiotic ointment.
There is, however, a fly in the ointment.
Artefacts such as powder or ointment on the patient's skin may cause similar confusion.
The scalp incision was then sutured and tetracycline ointment was applied topically.
Postoperatively, chloromycetin ophthalmic ointment (1%) was applied to the conjunctiva as prophylaxis.
There is, however, a large -y in the ointment: the loophole analyzed above.