80 



ASEPTIC SUTURE MATERIALS. 



Fig. 82.— Steal 



steriliser for instruments (packed 

 for transport). 



and other suture materials may be obtained ready for use from the 

 instrument makers. 



Drainage-tubes are preferably made of red rubber. After 



thorough washing in con- 

 centrated permanganate 

 of potash solution they 

 are left for twenty minutes 

 in boiling water, trans- 

 ferred 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 aseptic 

 silk or catgut, along which drainage proceeds, or by slips of gauze. 



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 staphylococci are 

 particularly abundant . It 

 is, therefore, always im- 

 portant to disinfect* the 

 parts. If the skin is 

 healthy, the hair is re- 

 moved with scissors or 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 

 fatty materials from the 

 surface, and are finally 

 washed with iodine dissolved in chloroform, strong carbolic, 1 in 1000 

 sublimate solution, or douched with tincture of iodine. 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 



Fig. 83. 



-Steam steriliser for instruments 

 (open in use). 



