STERILIZATION OP INSTRJMENTS 185 



thetic stage is reached, as shown by the abolition of 

 reflex action. The administration of the anesthetic 

 must then be continued with great caution, the bulb 

 being squeezed only often enough to maintain 

 anesthesia. 



If due regard is given to this method of anes- 

 thetizing, the patient is kept well within the safety 

 zone and accidents will be of rare occurrence. The 

 author has anesthetized hundreds of cases by this 

 method, which is followed by Professor Hobday, 

 without a single fatality. 



Preparatory Treatment of the Operative Area 



This most important prelimina|ry must in all cases 

 be rigidly carried out, as only by surgical cleanliness 

 can healing by primary union be. brought about. 



Technic. — All hair should be removed by clippers 

 or scissors, the part thoroughly scrubbed with anti- 

 septic soap and boiled water, and then shaved. The 

 site of operation should then be rinsed with boiled 

 water, or rubbed with swabs dipped in ether or 

 gasolin, to remove the greasy secretion of the skin. 

 This must be persisted in until the swabs come away 

 perfectly clean. Tincture of iodin is then applied 

 and'^allowpd to, dry, the process being repeated three 

 times. The body of the patient, should be covered 

 with gauze wrung out in boiled water, to prevent 

 hairs or dust getting into, the wound during the 

 operation. 



Preparation of Instruments 



One of the most important factors in the success- 

 ful healing of surgical wounds is the prevention of 

 pathogenic organisms being introduced either by 

 instruments, sutures, dressings, or the operator's 

 hands. In other words, everything that comes in 

 contact with a wound must first of all be rendered 

 aseptic. Instruments can readily be sterilized by 



