258 DEMONSTRx\TIONS OF ANTISEPTIC SURGERY BEFORE 



In the next place, we shall have an antiseptic atmosphere provided by 

 means of this spray-producer, which acts on the principle of Siegle's steam 

 inhaler. High-pressure steam, issuing by a minute orifice from a boiler heated 

 by spirit-lamp or gas, sucks up a strong solution of carbolic acid by a tube that 

 dips into a vessel containing it, and, blending with it in about equal quantity, 

 forms a I to 40 spray. We have lately very much improved our spray by 

 a slight alteration of the apparatus. We used to have the tube which conveys 

 the carbolic solution perpendicular to that for the steam, just as the air-tube 

 is at right angles with the water-tube in the common atmospheric odorator ; 

 and the result was a coarse spray with scattering drops, consuming a needless 

 quantity of the solution, and causing needless irritation of the surgeon's hands 

 and wetting of his sleeves ; and, what was of more moment, inducing unneces- 

 sary irritation of the wound, and making around the trustworthy spray an 

 area of uncertain extent completely valueless, because the solution in it was 

 in the form of comparatively large drops with intervals of unaltered air. But, 

 by placing the tube for the solution at an angle of 45° with that for the steam, 

 and with its point ground off obliquely so as to be exactly in the axis of the 

 steam-tube, we get a spray destitute of scattering drops, perfectly trustworthy 

 throughout its visible extent, though little coarser than a London fog. 



The slate on which I am now directing the spray is in an antiseptic atmo- 

 sphere ; yet so fine is the spray, that it scarcely moistens the surface. The 

 face of one of my dressers is now enveloped by the cloud, which, as you observe, 

 is capable of being inhaled without serious inconvenience. That we should be 

 able to provide a respirable, yet reliably antiseptic atmosphere, is what I confess 

 I never anticipated. The boiler has a safety-valve to prevent explosion, and 

 a window to enable you to see when the water is becoming exhausted. A large 

 spray-producer like this will go on working, with one supply of water in the 

 boiler, for a couple of hours. 



The part to be operated upon, then, being in an antiseptic atmosphere, 

 if the finger is to be introduced into the wound (and I shall very likely have 

 to pass my finger into the joint) you must take special care that it is an aseptic 

 finger ; and this is done by cleansing it with an antiseptic solution, making 

 sure that it passes well into the folds of skin about the nail. And if I should have 

 to introduce an instrument into the articulation, I must see that it is always 

 pure when inserted. In order. Gentlemen, that you may get satisfactory results 

 with this sort of treatment, you must be able to see with your mental eye the 

 septic ferments as distinctly as we see flies or other insects with the corporeal 

 eye. If you can really see them in this distinct way with your intellectual eye, 

 you can be properly on your guard against them ; if you do not so see them, 



