CHAPTER II. 



ANTISEPTIC PREPARATION OF INSTRUMENTS, DRAINAGE- 

 TUBES, SUTURE MATERIAL, SPONGES, ETC. 



Before entering upon a surgical operation, it is essential 

 that the operator bestows care upon the instruments which 

 he is about to use. For the majority of operations the 

 following instruments will suffice, and they should as far as 

 possible be made entirely of metal, those which are jointed 

 being so constructed that they can be taken to pieces : 

 Several scalpels, director, forceps, scissors (straight and 

 curved), two or three pairs of artery forceps, a probe, and 

 needles of various shapes and sizes. For special operations, 

 of course, others, such as ecraseurs, bistouries, tenotomes, 

 hernia needles, etc., are required. The nickel plating of 

 parts which can be so treated is also an advantage, both as 

 regards cleanliness and for the sake of appearance. 



One of the most important secrets of the successful healing 

 of a surgical wound consists in seeing that injurious germs 

 are not introduced by means of the instruments and sutures, 

 and it is very essential that both shall be first rendered aseptic. 

 This can be readily attained by boiling for about ten minutes 

 in some form of sterilizer (for which purpose an ordinary 

 clean saucepan or fish-kettle can be suitably improvised), or 

 by placing them for at least half an hour previous to use 

 in an antiseptic solution of reliable strength. Rust is pre- 

 vented by adding a piece of washing soda, about an ounce 

 in weight, to an ordinary fish-kettle full of water. To merely 



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