BACTERIOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL. 



wounds are to be dressed with a cloth wrung 

 out of a disinfectant solution. 



II. — Use of water not sterilized in its con- 

 tainer, or not kept closed after sterilization, 

 when it again becomes filled with micro- 

 organisms. 



III. — If the skin of the patient has not been 

 made aseptic prior to the operation. No mat- 

 ter how cleanly a person may be, the skin, the 

 hair follicles, and sweat glands all harbor bac- 

 teria, and if not properly attended to these may 

 invade the wound. (Ordinary cleanliness is 

 not "surgical cleanliness.") 



IV. — The hands of the surgeon or nurse may 

 cause the trouble. 

 Responsibility V. — Instruments, drainage, the clothing of 



patient, or operator, or nurse, ligatures, sutures, 

 sponges, dressings, towels, any of which may 

 be infected. The nurse's duty is to guard 

 against danger of infection from whatever 

 source. After careful cleansing, drainage tubes 

 must be boiled for an hour on three successive 

 days and kept between times and until needed 

 for use in a 75% solution of alcohol. Boil 

 again for ten minutes just prior to using. Dis- 

 infect your hands and insert the sterile gauze 

 packing required by many surgeons and fold 

 the tubing in a sterile towel ready for use when 

 called for. Gauze sponges, dressings, towels, 

 gowns, etc., should be placed in separate 

 118 



of the Nurse. 



