SEPSIS — ASEPSIS — ^ANTISEPSIS. 



to render all these, and surgeons, assistants and 



nurses as well, absolutely free from poison 



(aseptic) by means of sterilization and anti- Sepsis Should 



septics no one should suffer from so terrible a 



condition, a condition dreaded by al] physicians 



and nurses. 



Following the preparation of dressings, ban- 

 dages, gauze, sponges, etc., the utmost possible 

 vigilance is necessary in order to be sure that 

 all are kept aseptic after they have been made 

 aseptic. Of what avail is the special process 

 they undergo if the packages containing them 

 are opened and the dressings passed to the 

 surgeon by a nurse or assistant who has not 

 been properly prepared by the free use of soap, 

 hot water, scrub-brush and the after thorough 

 use of antiseptics, especially in "hand cleans- jo^^ne'^ 

 ing." Of what use is it to use an aseptic Operations, 

 brush, antiseptic solutions and so forth in pre- 

 paring the area to be operated upon if the nurse 

 who uses the solutions has been opening and 

 closing windows and doors, or touching other 

 things not aseptic, and then comes to take part 

 in the work mentioned without first thoroughly 

 scrubbing and sterilizing her arms and hands? 

 It is after just such blunders as these in operat- 

 ing rooms, or in private homes, that trouble 

 with the patient often arises. There is great 

 reason to wonder why trouble does not arise in gggyj^ ^f 

 every case carelessly handled. Frequently the Blunders, 



