PREPARATION OF INSTRUMENTS, ETC. 211 



The failures in the practice of aseptic surgery are generally- 

 due to the hands of the operator and assistants and the skin 

 of the patient. 



The following formulae have been selected from the man)' 

 pubhshed, as they are successfully used by many surgeons, 

 and meet the theoretical grounds of bacteriology as far as is 

 possible with our present knowledge. 



Sterilization of Hands. — ^There is no known method for 

 perfect sterihzation of the human skin. A close approach to 

 sterility is reached by any one of the methods that has as its 

 basis mechanical cleanhness. 



Park's method: (i) Hands and forearms are thoroughly 

 rubbed with a mixture of green soap and commeal, which 

 serves to remove all the loose dirt and epithelium. Rinse 

 carefully until hands and forearms are clean. (2) A paste of 

 mustard flour and cold water is rubbed into the hands and 

 forearms until they begin to sting. (3) Rinse in running sterile 

 water; then soak in a hot i-iooo bichloride of mercury solu- 

 tion for a few minutes, the fluid being well rubbed into the 

 skin. 



Filrbringer's method: (i) Thorough scrubbing of the hand 

 and forearms with soft soap, water and a nail-brush for at 

 least three minutes, especial attention being paid to the nails. 

 (2) Removal of aU fat and debris by rubbing hands and fore- 

 arms while immersed in 95 per cent, alcohol. (3) Rinsing 

 of hands and forearms in a i-iooo bichloride of mercury 

 solution, rubbing the fluid well into the skin. 



Schatz's method: (i) Hands and forearms are cleansed by 

 brisk scrubbing with soft soap and a clean brush for from 

 three to five minutes. (2) Soaking in saturated solution of 

 permanganate of potassium at a temperature of 110° F. until 

 the hands and forearms are a deep mahogany brown. (3) 

 Immersion in a saturated solution of oxaUc acid, temperature 

 of 110° F. until the skin is entirely decolorized. (4) Rinsing 



