SURGICAL TREATMENT 175 



convenient supply of hot water, and a piece of fine 

 . muslin, several layers thick, for use as a sieve for water 

 to be used for lotions or for irrigation. Chloroform and 

 an inhaler with sponge, and some pure carbolic acid in a 

 graduated bottle. For dressing the wound the following 

 should be ready : Iodoform and tannin, i to 3 ; antiseptic 

 cotton-wool and tow ; carbolized gauze ; a piece of 

 calico, 6 yards by 9 inches ; roller bandages, and a few 

 safety-pins. 



* Preparation. — The small sponges may be obtained 

 ready for use from any wholesale druggist. They are 

 known as Milne's aseptic sponges. Probably the large 

 sponges can be purchased in the same condition. I 

 prepared my sponges in this way : After beating out the 

 sand the sponges were placed for four or five days in 

 cold water, which was changed daily, then transferred to 

 a solution of hydrochloric acid, an ounce to the gallon, 

 where they remained for twelve hours ; from this they 

 were placed under the cold-water tap, and turned about 

 under a constant stream for an hour or two ; then each 

 was thoroughly washed in plenty of hot water, squeezed 

 as dry as possible, and finally placed in 5 per cent, 

 carbolic solution. 



* The tarlatan, cut into two-yard lengths, was washed in 

 hot water containing Hudson's powder, then thoroughly 

 rinsed, and placed beside the sponges in carbolic. The 

 sponge cloths were boiled, rinsed in cold water, soaked 

 in 5 per cent, solution of carbolic, and then dried. 



' The Chinese twist was stretched by winding each 

 skein on a bit of wood (3 inches by ij inches), plunged 

 in hot water, and boiled for ten minutes ; then stretched 

 again by winding on another bit of wood, and finally 

 placed in a wide-mouthed bottle containing 5 per cent, 

 solution of carbolic acid. 



