211 
mented to a high degree by various other structural peculiarities 
of the sphagnum plant. 
ow can surgical and non-surgical varieties of sphagnum be 
distinguished from one another. 
ust as there are a great many different varieties of roses and 
chrysanthemums and dahlias, so there are a great many dif- 
ferent kinds of sphagnum; and these different kinds are by no 
means of equal value for surgical purposes. Some of them, in- 
deed, are worse than useless. A great deal of the dissatisfaction 
with sphagnum dressings welch was ee ucee by ne surgeons 
in the early days of th be attributed to 
the failure to appreciate this difference, and the adicriminat 
use of any and all species 0 
In the little state of Connecticut alone there are no less jhe 
twenty-five different kinds of sphagnum; on the continent of 
North America there are at least forty. Of these forty species 
only two or three are actually used to any extent for surgical 
purposes. It is not enough, then, to know that a sphagnum is a 
sphagnum. One must be able to differentiate neces suitable 
S. 
rom a botanical point of view, the sphagnums are an 
ee at difficult group of plants to work with. It is a job for 
surgical purposes is much less u Vith a little training 
and experience it is well within the ability of almost anyon 
least distinguish wit! y between seiaenum 
5 Me V1 1 11 t < ] 1 
which very jikely will p phag which 
quite certainly will not. 
Without going too much into detail, then, we will consider 
next just what qualities are desirable in sphagnum material 
which is to be used in surgical dressings. 
First of all, the highest possible capacity for absorbing liquids 
is essential; and with reference to this qualification there is a 
wide range of variation between different species. In general, 
the more robust varieties of sphagnum are better than the more 
