84 



OPERATI\E TECHNIOUE. 



should be thoroughly cleansed and the blade alone disinfected in boiling 

 water. 



x\utoclaves, steamers, or stoves are only used in the laboratory or in 

 hospital practice. 



Disinfection with burning alcohol is another rapid method of 

 disinfecting instruments. The instruments are placed on a metallic 

 plate previously rinsed with a little alcohol, which is then ignited. 



Fk;s. Hi , 82. — Lion forceps, with French aseptic 

 joint for cleansing and sterilising'. 



A few minutes suffice to render 

 them sterile, when they can be 

 placed in a weak antiseptic solu- 

 tion or in boiled water. Although 

 excellent for ecraseurs, forceps, 

 Fig. 78. Fig. 79. Fig. 80. directors, etc., this method is apt 



Retractors with metal handles for aseptic ^^ damage the temper of bistouries, 



snrgery. * . 



scalpels, and scissors. 



Gum-elastic probes are washed in strong alcohol and afterwards in 

 I per 1000 sublimate solution. 



In addition to instruments the surgeon employs sponges, tampons, 

 cotton or tow compresses, suture threads, and various dressing 

 materials. All surb materials should previously have been rendered 

 aseptic. After ha\ing been beaten with a wooden mallet, the sponges 

 are washed in running water, placed for ten to twelve hours in a i in 



