122 THE PREPARATION OF CATGUT FOR SURGICAL PURPOSES 



Liquid Reduced to Quarter Bulk. 



But while the substance of the catgut is thus not only aseptic but powerfully 

 antiseptic, its dry surface is liable to contamination by contact with septic 

 material, and it is essential that, before being used, it be washed with some 

 trustworthy germicidal liquid. 



My practice has been to put the catgut, like the instruments, in i to 20 

 solution of carbolic acid about a quarter of an hour before the operation is 

 begun. Any of the catgut that remains unused upon the reel may be afterwards 

 kept in a similar solution for any length of time without disadvantage. 



The essential precaution of purifying the surface of the catgut is, I fear, 

 sometimes overlooked, the result being occasional suppuration attributed to 

 defect in the ligature, while it is really the fault of the surgeon. 



