212 MANUAL OF BACTERIOLOGY. 



The failures in the practice of aseptic surgery are gen- 

 erally due to the hands of the operator and assistants and 

 the skin of the patient. 



The following formulae have been selected from the many 

 published as they are successfully used by many surgeons, 

 and meet the theoretical grounds of bacteriology as far as 

 is possible with our present knowledge. 



Sterilization of Hands. There is no known method for 

 perfect sterilization of the human skin. A close approach 

 to sterility is reached by any one of the methods that has 

 as its basis mechanical cleanliness. 



Park's method : ( i ) Hands and forearms are thoroughly 

 rubbed with a mixture of green soap and cornmeal, which 

 serves to remove all the loose dirt and epithelium. Rinse 

 carefully until hands and forearms are clean. (2) A paste 

 of mustard flour and cold water is rubbed into the hands 

 and forearms until they begin to sting. (3) Rinse in run- 

 ning sterile water; then soak in a hot i-iooo bichloride of 

 mercury solution for a few minutes, the fluid being well 

 rubbed into the skin. 



FUrbringer's method : ( i ) Thorough scrubbing of the 

 hand and forearms with soft soap, water and a nail-brush 

 for at least three minutes, especial attention being paid to the 

 nails. (2) Removal of all fat and debris by rubbing hands 

 and forearms while immersed in 95 per cent, alcohol. (3) 

 Rinsing of hands and forearms in a i-iooo bichloride of 

 mercury solution, rubbing the fluid well into the skin. 



Schatz's method : ( i ) Hands and forearms are cleansed 

 by brisk scrubbing with soft soap and a clean brush for 

 from three to five minutes. (2) Soaking in saturated solution 

 of permanganate of potassium at a temperature of 110 F. 

 until the hands and forearms are a deep mahogany brown. 

 (3) Immersion in a saturated solution of oxalic acid, tem- 

 perature of 110 F. until the skin is entirely decolorized. 



