DISINFECTANTS, ANTISEPTICS AND DEODORANTS 695 



But there are all degrees of infectioD, aud while, with 

 the best methods of securing cleanliness at our command, it 

 is impossible to completely sterilize normal skin and 

 tissues, yet the surgical result may be perfect. Therefore, 

 in surgical operations, we should endeavor to procure 

 as small an amount of infection, or dosage of micro-organ- 

 isms, as possible, consistent with existing environment 

 and conditions. 



The following aseptic technique is especially applicable 

 in the case of any surgical operation undertaken upon a non- 

 infected part. If it is possible to carry out all the details, 

 and the result is successful, healing will take place without 

 suppuration. 



Operations upon suppurating and infected areas should 

 be conducted with cleanliness, and antiseptics are more de- 

 sirable, particularly hydrogen dioxide in full strength, and 

 corrosive sublimate (1-2000). 



To prepare the surface of the body for operations, the 

 hair is first clipped and shaved, the skin is thoroughly 

 scrubbed with a brush, green soap and water for five min- 

 utes, and then with corrosive sublimate (1-1000). After the 

 skin is incised there is no further necessity for antiseptics 

 unless the wound is already infected, or becomes so by ex- 

 posure to impure air, or contact with dirt. The hands of 

 the operator, including the finger nails, should be brushed 

 until clean with green soap and water, and then with mer- 

 curic bichloride (1-1000) solution. Instruments are thor- 

 oughly scrubbed with soap and water, and boiled for ten 

 minutes in an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate 

 (1 teaspoonful to the quart), aud then placed in a solution 

 of carbolic acid (1-40), or removed to a sterile towel. New 

 sponges only should be employed, which have been previ- 

 ously cleansed, and then soaked in carbolic acid (1-40) 

 solution, or pieces of sterile gauze may be used. 



If irrigation is desirable, normal salt solution (1 heaping 

 teaspoonful to the quart of sterile water) is appropriate. 

 Nothing else but this is allowable within the non-infected 



