AaEPTIC MEASURES. 



articles to be sterilized to the action of live 

 steam for one hour on three successive days. 

 Certain spores have been known to retain ger- 

 minating powers after being treated to a bath of 

 boiling water, and the end sought in intermit- 

 tent sterilization is to destroy all bacteria which 

 may develop from spores after the first or sec- 

 ond sterilization. The process is not always 

 necessary, because exposure to live steam for 

 one hour usually kills both bacteria and spores. 



In aseptic surgery many consider the use of 

 both heat and chemicals necessary in order to 

 insure freedom, from all pathogenic bacteria Healthy 

 and their spores. This applies only to the Aseptic, 

 preparation of dressings, sponges and the skin, 

 except in diseased conditions. "Clean healthy 

 tissue contains no bacteria." "Wounds in 

 healthy tissue tend to heal spontaneously." 



"Antiseptics being all more or less irritant 

 tend to interfere with the heahng process." 



If a healthy wound is properly protected j^j^^tj^jj ^j 

 from possible invasion of micro-organisms, the Healthy 

 use of antiseptics is unnecessary and may be Wounds, 

 injurious. Infection may reach the wound in 

 several ways : 



I. — Because the room in which the operation 

 is performed is not properly prepared, or if 

 sweeping or dusting is done just when the ^^I^a^DrJ 

 wound is to be uncovered for dressing. Dust Cloth, 

 must always be wiped up in sick-rooms where 

 117 



