558 Sir William Macewen [June 7, 



microbic products excited the tissues to auti-bacillary action, and the 

 elements of immunity, as we now understand it, were established. 



The anti-bacillary phagocytic action of the living healthy tissue 

 was demonstrated by the beautiful experiments of Metchnikoff, 

 when it was seen that a certain number of organisms, brought 

 into contact with the hving tissue, could be destroyed therein by 

 living cells. It also became obvious that the healthy living tissue 

 in the interior of the body was inherently free from germs, and when 

 wounded was capable of healing rapidly, and would do so if its 

 vitality were preserved, and if germs emanating either from the 

 abundant flora of the skin or from elsewhere could be prevented 

 from being brought into contact with it. 



This was effected by sterihzing the skin and the instruments 

 andlalljmaterial brought into contact with the wound, without allow- 

 ing antiseptics to invade the interior of the tissues. 



It is upon such lines that aseptic treatment was introduced. 

 Aseptic surgery was a natural evolution of antiseptic surgery — the 

 one paved the way for the other. 



The surgery of the present day involves the performance of 

 painless, almost bloodless, operations, the wounds healing, as a rule, 

 under a single dressing of the slightest description. Any material 

 introduced into a wound for the arrest of haemorrhage, or for bring- 

 ing the parts together, is of a kiud which the living cells are able to 

 remove after its function has been performed. When the patient 

 recovers from the effects of the anaesthetic his trouble is over. The 

 tilm which covers the wound drops oft" of itself as soon as the 

 phagocytes have completed their work of removing the deep part of 

 the catgut stitches. 



The air of cheerfulness in a surgical ward is now pronounced, 

 the difficulty often being to persuade the patients to remain quiet 

 for a time sufficient to allow the internal parts to heal. 



Advances consequent to the Introduction of 

 Aseptic Surgery. 



The introduction of aseptic surgery and the extension and more 

 correct appreciation of bacteriological knowledge have enabled 

 surgical procedures upon the human body to be greatly extended. 

 The dangers arising from risk of wound infection being averted, 

 many new devices have been practised for reaching the internal 

 organs and for removing therefrom the products of disease. 



Regions of the body hitherto considered too dangerous to be 

 operated upon have now been successfully entered, and it soon 

 became apparent that wherever diagnosis showed the presence of a 

 serious pathological lesion, there the surgeon could follow, and 

 where practicable eliminate it. 



Since the introduction of asepsis and the consequent acquisition 



