this is good practice, on general prin- 

 ciples, is a matter that is open to debate. 

 If the painting is done carefully, so 

 that a pool of iodine tincture is not 

 formed by the surplus gathering by 

 gravitation into the deeper recesses of 

 the wound, this may be considered 

 good practice. On the whole, how- 

 ever, it would appear that the iodine 

 could act, in many instances, as an un- 

 desirable irritant when it comes in con- 

 tact with delicate, freshly incised tis- 

 sues. 



As the object, in modern surgery, is 

 to eliminate all things, even the slight- 

 est, that may hinder prompt repair and 

 smooth healing of the invaded tissues, 

 the presence of such an active agent as 

 pure tincture of iodine in a surgical 

 wound may be looked upon as inter- 

 fering with the carrying out of that 

 object. 



