164 APPLIED BACTERIOLOGY FOR NURSES 



experiments, and surgeons have had recourse to a mild 

 process of tanning; that is, immersing the hands in a 

 hardening sohition, such as 60 per cent, alcohol or tinc- 

 ture of iodin. Both of these substances, when con- 

 tinuously used, are injurious to the skin, and the great 

 majority of operators prefer to wear gloves during 

 operations and require the same of the assistants. 

 When rubber gloves are worn the soaking of the hand& 

 in bichlorid solution before putting on the gloves may 

 cause a severe dermatitis. Rubber gloves are more 

 frequently used than those of Hsle, their chief advantages 

 being that they are not porous, do not appreciably 

 impair the tactile sense, and in certain cases, as in 

 exploring a cavity, their slippery condition is a material 

 aid. Against these are to be w^eighed their greater 

 initial cost and their slight durability. Rubber gloves 

 can be sterilized in the same sterilizer in which instru- 

 ments are boiled, but they should be wrapped in gauze 

 to prevent their coming into contact with metal; or, 

 they may be kept for an hour in the Arnold steam 

 sterilizer. 



Disinfection to Prevent the Spread of Contagious Dis- 

 eases. — It is usually far more important to prevent 

 the spread of contagion during the patient's illness than 

 it is to fumigate the apartment and its contents after 

 convalescence. The sick room should be kept free of 

 all unnecessaiy furniture, and particularly of rugs and 

 hangings. In place of sweeping and dusting, the furni- 

 ture, as well as the floor and any woodwork, should 

 be A\iped with an oiled rag or with a cloth moistened with 

 1:2000 bichlorid solution. No steaming, spraying, or 

 fumigation of any efficiency can be carried out in an 



