OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



Fig. 85. — Silk-holder for hospital use. 



This thread is flexible, does not absorb organic liquids, nor cut out 

 rapidl}-. It is, therefore, especially useful for sutures intended to 

 remain long in position. 



Drainage-tubes are preferably formed of red rubber. After thorough 

 \yashing in concentrated permanganate of potash solution the}' are left 

 for twenty minutes in boiling water, transferred to tubes containing 2 

 per 1000 solution of sublimate, and finally sterilised by exposure to a 



temperature of 120° for half 

 an hour. They are sometimes 

 replaced by bundles of stout 

 antiseptic silk or catgut, 

 along which drainage pro- 

 ceeds, or by slips of antiseptic 

 gauze. 



The above methods of 

 procedure for sterilising com- 

 presses, suture materials, and 

 drainage-tubes are not abso- 

 lutely indispensable. The 

 method usually employed in veterinary surgery is to immerse them for 

 five to ten minutes in strong boiling carbolic, creolin, or sublimate solu- 

 tions. Bang considers this sufficient. 



The field of operation and surrounding parts must be most 

 carefully cleansed. In all animals the skin is covered with extremely 

 numerous and varied micro-organisms, among which the Staphylococcus 

 albus and aureus are particularly abundant. It is, therefore, always 



important to disinfect 

 the parts. If the skin 

 is health}', the hair is 

 clipped away with 

 scissors or removed with 

 a clipping machine, the 

 parts thoroughly soaped, 

 shaved, scrubbed, and washed with boiled water. After being dried 

 with a sterilised compress, the parts are rubbed with alcohol or ether to 

 remove fatt}' materials from the surface, and are finally washed with 

 strong carbolic, or i in 1000 sublimate solution. If the skin is infected, 

 or the seat of an ulcer, suppurating wound, or fistula, it is necessary, 

 the day before operating, or even some days in advance, to curette 

 the wound, afterwards proceeding as just indicated. In abdominal 

 operations, exposing the peritoneum, special care must be taken in 

 shaving and disinfecting a wide area, while the operative area should 



Fig. S6.— Portable silk-holder. 



