BACTERIOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL. 



Soak Hands 

 and Arms. 



Alcohol and 



Bichloride 



Preferred. 



hot water, using a sterile brush vigorously for 

 ten minutes, especially for the nails, beneath 

 which germs lurk. Second, clean the nails 

 thoroughly with a nail knife or file, to remove 

 any bacteria the nail brush may have left be- 

 hind. Third, scrub the hands again, as the 

 nail cleaning process will have deposited par- 

 ticles of dirt containing germs on the hands. 

 Fourth, soak the hands and arms for several 

 minutes (3 to 5) in a solution containing about 

 twenty grains potassium permanganate to each 

 pint of water, and then in another solution of 

 oxalic acid (saturated solution), soaking the 

 hands for the same length of time. The po- 

 tassium permanganate is a good germicide, un- 

 less it comes in contact with organic matter, 

 and oxalic acid is a still better one; it also 

 removes from the hands the brown stain of the 

 potassium permanganate. Fifth, soak the hands 

 and arms in alcohol, and again in hot sterile 

 water. Dipping the hands and arms in the solu- 

 tions is of no avail. The alcohol is a further 

 precaution against bacteria, and the sterile 

 water relieves the irritation caused by the 

 vigorous scrubbing and use of strong solutions. 

 During operation use alcohol, bichloride of 

 mercury solution, 1-8,000, and sterile water if 

 necessary for further protection. 



No. 2. Hand Disinfection. — Some sur- 

 geons use alcohol, followed by bichloride solu- 



120 



