288 IRRITA TION AND PUS- FORM A TION. 



ings are removed, a single drop of serum were to be 

 pressed out by the movement of the limb and then 

 regurgitate into the interior, after being exposed for a 

 second to tJie influence of septic air, putrefaction would 

 be pretty certain to occur." Further, he lays it down 

 that the putrefaction is caused by the presence of 

 bacteria, and suggests that these may be carried from 

 the air into deep parts upon an unprotected knife 

 or upon a probe or canula. By the antiseptic treat- 

 ment, however, the bacteria are destroyed, and thus 

 the subsequent decomposition of the organic matters 

 prevented. The irritation of which pus-formation is 

 a consequence is thus completely averted, and the 

 healing process without pus-formation ensured. The 

 "antiseptic system of treatment consists of such 

 management of a surgical case as shall effectually 

 prevent the occurrence of putrefaction in the part 

 concerned."* 



There is no doubt whatever that carbolic acid 

 vapour does prevent putrefaction, and it is very pro- 

 bable that its influence depends upon the destruction 

 of bacteria, and the establishment of conditions which 

 render it impossible for these low organisms to multiply. 



Dr. Grace Calvert (Chem. News, Dec. Qth, 1870) 

 found in a series of experiments that meat became 

 tainted when suspended in the air in bottles at the 

 bottom of which had been placed known quantities of 

 permanganate of potash, chloralum, McDougall's 



* Introductory Lecture. Edinburgh, Nov. 8, 1860. 



