1919 



Hotson; on Sphagnum Dressings 



229 



wheel to become dry, while moss drying naturally in trays in an adjoining 

 room would require 48 to 72 hours, according to the weather. The rea- 

 sons for this were: first, the higher temperature of the drying room, which 

 at 10 P. M. had risen to 95° to 100° F., but fell to within two or three 

 degrees of the temperature of the adjoining room by morning; and second, 

 the motion of the moss in the trays on the wheel through the air of the 

 drying room. Air circulation seemed to be an important factor. When 

 these conditions became apparent three electric fans were installed. These 

 also accelerated the changing of the air in the drying room between dry- 

 ing periods. 



Absorbency tests of five pads made from naturally dried moss and a 

 similar number from artificially dried moss show that the latter absorbs 

 within three per cent as much water by capillarity as the former. Al- 

 though perhaps this investigation has not been carried on long enough 

 to come to a definite conclusion yet these preliminary experiments suggest 

 that moss artificially dried under proper relations of temperature and 

 humidity might be of great value in making surgical dressings. 



As has been stated above, the American Indians used sphagnum quite 

 commonly as a dressing. Their method (plate 41) was to throw the moss 

 upon bushes or string it along poles. This is one of the best and most 

 effective ways of drying if the weather is suitable, but it is extremely 



PLATE 41 



The Indian method of drying Sphagnum. 



