DISINFECTION OF INFECTED. CARRIERS, ETC. 49 
straw, hence have to consider the dangers connected with its 
use. 
I prepare my place for operation on the so-called dung hill, 
only in case of necessity; as a rule, I have it made on the 
ground out of grain straw and have it lightly sprinkled 
with water. Where the soil permits it (light, sandy soil), we 
can make an operating ground by digging up the soil, which 
has the advantage that the irrigating fluids are easily absorbed, 
so that the patients are lying drier than on straw. 
[Infection from this source is easily obviated. Dust should 
be allayed by light sprinkling with an antiseptic solution (Po- 
tassium Permanganate) and a sterilized rug, or, still better, 
a clean rubber sheet is spread over the bed beneath the oper- 
ating region. Such a sheet should be in the equipment of every 
surgeon. It matters not whether the bedding is straw, shav- 
ings, soil, or the dung hill, such a sheet, in the absence of any 
dust, will perfectly exclude infection from the litter—L. A. 
MJ 
4. INSTRUMENTS AND BANDAGING MATERIAL. 
As mentioned in a preceding chapter the usual care of in- 
struments, as well as their construction, favors infection, and 
therefore they must be dealt with acordingly. 
All surgical instruments should be as simple as possible so 
that they can be easily and thoroughly cleansed, their sur- 
faces must be’ as smooth as possible without furrows and 
grooves, therefore, especially knives, they should consist of 
one piece. Joined instruments (torsion forceps, scissors, etc.,) 
must be easily taken apart, so as to allow their being cleaned 
thoroughly. 
In regard to the care of instruments, since, in country 
practice, the smaller instruments have to be carried mostly 
in the pocket, it is advisable to have them in cases. All cases 
that do not close well are not recommended, as they give the 
instruments but little protection against dirt. This is es- 
pecially the case with cigar cases and the pockets of the 
