STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION IN THE PHARMACY. 2OI 



Empty ampuls of German and French make can be secured from dealers 

 in glassware and chemical supplies, likewise the appliances for filling and 

 sealing. These ready-made empty and filled, ampuls vary in form as 

 already indicated. Those with a flat bottom and which will remain stand- 

 ing when placed on a flat surface are preferred by some physicians. 



The ready-made empty ampuls (still sealed) may be sterilized by boiling 

 for fifteen minutes in a 5 per cent, solution of phenol, rinsing thoroughly 

 in boiling hot sterile water, draining and drying. With the aid of a small 

 sharp file, break off the tips of the ampuls to be filled. Place them in dis- 

 tilled water, bring to a boil, take vessel from the fire for a few moments, 

 pour cold distilled water upon the empty floating ampuls, a partial vacuum 

 is produced in the interior of the ampuls and they quickly fill with water. 

 Now boil for thirty minutes. When water is sufficiently cool take out the 

 ampuls, shake out the water and dry in the hot-air sterilizer at 100 C. They 

 are then ready to be filled, sealed and finally sterilized in the manner already 

 described. An ordinary sterilized hypodermic syringe will be found very 

 satisfactory for filling the ampuls. The suggestions regarding the amount 

 of material to be placed in the ampul, sealing, sterilization, use of the aniline 

 solution, etc., already given, also apply here. 



