46 



CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY. 



after washing in pure water, is wound on glass spools and laid 

 in bichloride ot mercury solution (i to looo) for twelve hours; 

 then in an alcoholic (i to 200) solution of bichloride for twelve 

 hours, and it is then preserved dry in tightly closed glass 

 vessels. Just before it is used it is laid in a vessel filled with 

 an alcoholic (i to 2000) solution of bichloride of mercury." 



Catgut, ready prepared by the above or some similar method, 

 can be purchased at a reasonable price, being conveniently 

 arranged in dust-proof bottles in such a way that the gut is kept 

 in the solution until a portion of it is required, and then only 

 that portion is exposed which is to be used. If in oil it must 



Fig. 21. 



Diiigram of glass ligature bottle (Clarke's). 



be well washed with ether or soaked in a strong antiseptic for 

 some hours before using. 



Silkworm Gut or Fishing Gut, particularly useful for sutur- 

 ing the abdominal wall because of its not possessing capillary 

 properties, is readily sterilised by boiling. It is also made in 

 different sizes. 



Drainage Tubes, either of glass, metal, or rubber, are readily 

 sterilised by boiling and afterwards immersing them in an anti- 

 septic solution ; the chief trouble with our patients is to keep 

 them clean when in position, and in reality the less they are 

 used the better, a plug or tent of antiseptic cotton wool being 

 usuall}^ an efficient substitute. 



