The Laboratory 83 



tance (a point of importance in operating on 

 woody cultures), and is generally very efficient. 

 For working in very large flasks, cystoscopic 

 scissors may be desirable, but will be needed only 

 in special cases. Scalpels have, in general, been 

 found not very satisfactory (Fig. 28). 



As has been pointed out elsewhere, it is not 

 desirable to have gas in the transfer room. Most 

 implements are best sterilized by boiling. This 

 may be done in a surgeon's sterilizing pan or on 

 an ordinary hot plate. A very satisfactory 

 method is to place a one-liter stainless steel beaker 

 of distilled water, heated with a Westinghouse 

 immersion heater such as is sold to traveling sales- 

 men for heating shaving water, on the operating 

 table. The instruments may be kept immersed in 

 this when not in actual use. In making transfers 

 usually two needles or loops are employed, one 

 being kept in the boiling water at all times. With 

 this precaution, bacterial or fungus contamina- 

 tions are almost never carried from one flask to 

 another (Figs. 29, 30). 



For flaming flasks, tubes, or needles in special 

 cases as, for example, when it is necessary to pour 

 nutrient from one flask to another, an alcohol lamp 

 may be provided. 



