The 

 tech- 



TECHNIQUE. 133 



the names of the patient and the physician, the date, 

 and the character of the examination required. 



ASPIRATION OF CHEST, BLOOD-CULTURES. 



The preparation of the patient for the aspiration 

 of fluid from the body cavities, for lumbar puncture, 

 and cultures from the blood must be performed with pr t e i?Ss a " 

 the greatest care, to insure the patient against infection 

 and to prevent the contamination of the specimen with 

 other bacteria, particularly those in the skin. 



For aspirations of the chest or joints and for lunv 

 bar puncture the skin should be cleansed with benzene 

 and then tincture of iodine applied. For taking cul- 

 tures from the blood this method is not suitable, 

 because the tincture of iodine discolors the skin so 

 much that the veins cannot be seen clearly. The veins 

 usually selected are at the bend of the elbow. The 

 skin is first washed thoroughly with green soap and 

 water, then with alcohol and ether. A wet bichloride 

 of mercury towel is placed over the skin and allowed 

 to remain for one hour. Before the culture is taken 

 the skin is again washed with ether. A bandage is 

 applied somewhat above the elbow, and tight enough 

 to cause the veins to stand out so that they can be more 

 readily punctured. The blood is drawn into a sterile 

 glass syringe that has been sterilized by boiling in a 

 covered receptacle, which can be brought to the bed- 

 side unopened. 



