CARE OF NAVELS IN NEWBORN 121 



urachus is also imprisoned, and any blood re- 

 maining in the umbilic vein or veins is likewise 

 retained. This retention of liquids within the 

 dead tissues serves to invite infection and is in 

 direct conflict with surgical principles, one of the 

 most fundamental rules of which is the ample pro- 

 vision of free drainage for all inactive useless fluids. 



Sources of Infection. — The ligation of the 

 navels of new born domestic animals is rarely 

 carried out under aseptic or antiseptic precau- 

 tions of even a crude character; usually the 

 hands of the ligator, and the ligature are bear- 

 ers of infection. After meeting this danger the 

 foal or calf spends much of its time with the navel 

 stump in contact with dung or other fllth. When 

 standing the moist navel stump is a favorite feed- 

 ing place for flies, bearing various infections. 



But it is held, the human obstetrician ligates 

 the navel stump and why should not we also? 

 The cases are not parallel. The human obstetri- 

 cian ligates the cord under careful antisepsis, 

 after expressing the jelly of Wharton and other 

 fluids, then applies antiseptic or aseptic dress- 

 ings to the wound which is retained in place by a 



