78 



ASEPTIC DRESSINGS. 



of cotton or tow, compresses, suture threads, and various dressing 

 materials. All such materials should previously have been rendered 

 aseptic. After having been used, sponges are washed in running 

 water, placed for ten to twelve hours in a 1 in 1000 solution of 

 permanganate of potash, washed in boiled water, and afterwards 

 placed in strong carbolic solution, where they should remain for at 

 least two to three weeks. Immediately before use they are washed 



Fig. 75. — Curved scissors 

 with French aseptic joint. 



Fig. 76. — Straight scissors 

 with French aseptic joint. 



in boiled water, to remove the excess of carbolic with which they 

 are saturated. For some time sponges have given place to compresses 

 of gauze or sponge tissue sterilised in the autoclave, and tampons 

 of absorbent wool. Many veterinary surgeons still use tow. This 

 is unsuitable unless it has been thoroughly cleansed and sterilised 

 by heat or by immersion in a boiling antiseptic solution. When 

 used the method generally adopted is to plunge the tow for five 

 minutes into boiling water or into a boiling soda solution. 



Silk thread is sterilised by immersion for half an hour in boiling 



