1897] 



MICROSCOPICAL JOURNAL. 



53 



pan acting as locks, the steam is forced to work its way 

 through the opening in the cover of the steam chamber 

 into this, through the articles contained, and out through 

 the tube in the boiling pan. In the course of a quarter 

 of an hour the sterilization is completed; the hood is re- 

 moved, also the steam chamber; the instument tray is 

 now put in, the steam chamber is replaced, the hood like- 

 wise, but without its cork. For the preservation of the in- 

 struments a little soda or soap has been added (lysol 

 serves the same purpose.) In the course of five minutes 

 the instruments are surgically sterile; during this time 

 the steam will escape continuously through the open tube 



of the hood, both that delivered by the water and that 

 contained in the steam chamber; simultaneously a draught 

 of hot air will enter the chamber from below, and when 

 this is removed, its contents are not only sterilized, but 

 also dry. A combined sterilizer of the dimensions above 

 mentioned can, without difficulty, be transported in a 

 suitable wooden case, and as the preparation and sterili- 

 zation of the necessaries is an easy matter, there is no 

 possible excuse for resorting to mercantile antiseptic 

 goods in operations in private practice. The surgeon 

 who relies indiscriminately upon antiseptic wares, which 

 he buys, is a dangerous man! 



Articles adapted to sterilization by steam can safely 



