TECHNIC OF ANTISEPSY AND ASEPSY. 59 
Disinfection of Instruments. — The handles of instruments should 
be plated with nickel or aluminium. (Fig. 29.) Rough surfaces 
grooved jaws, joints of forceps, the ends of grooved probes, atl 
the-eyes of needles should be carefully looked after. Complicated 
instruments, and those difficult to clean, should be avoided. For 
sutures, the needles of Larger or of Lamblin (figs. 30, 31, 32) are pre- 
- ferable to all others ; they are simple and of easy aseptisation. Instead 
ofsyringes for injections, glass funnels with disinfected India rubber 
tubes are preferable. A number of ways and of agents have been 
Fig. 29.—Bistouries with metallic handles. 
recommended to render instruments aseptic. Soaking in a strong 
- phenic or cresylic solution is a method used by some; but phenic 
acid dulls the edges of the bistouries, and cresylic makes them 
. greasy andslippery, and the opacity of the emulsion prevents -their 
being seen through the’ vase where they are deposited. Immersion 
in boiling water is simple and practical. The degree of ebullition of 
the water can be raised by adding common salt, or carbonate of soda, 
_ (Bergmann, Schimmelbusch), or carbonate of potash (Terrier), or 
chloride of calcium (Redard). Alteration of the instruments is pre- 
vented by adding to the water 1 percent. of caustic soda. Baths of oil, 
glycerine, or liquid vaseline, ata temperature of 120° tot! 30°, produce 
a complete disinfection. When instruments. are soiled by some vir- 
ulent matter, such as proceeds froma septic or tetanic center, the best | 
way to render them aseptic is to dip them for 10 or 15 minutes in a 
