BACTERIOLOGY IN A NUTSHELL. 
Sepsis Should 
Not Occur. 
‘'sphere-shaped,” or like a ball or marble, with 
modifications or subdivisions of these shapes as 
for experimental purposes they are cultivated in 
broth or other liquid, and their varied methods of 
forming into groups is seen under the ^micro¬ 
scope. These varied groups are spoken of as 
“clusters,” “chains,” “twos,” “fours,” “eights,” 
and so forth. Sometimes the disease in which 
the germ is first found gives to it is name. The 
bacteria found in sepsis when seen under culti¬ 
vation are grouped in “chains,” and the name 
given to them is streptococcus pyogenes. 
Sepsis means poisonous or putrid. Asepsis, 
free from poison or putrefaction. Antisepsis, 
against poison or putrefaction. Sepsis is found 
in general surgery, in gynecological surgery 
and in obstetrics. But it ought not to be found 
in any one of them. In these days of aseptic 
surgery when so much time and thought and 
expense arc given to the preparation of the pa¬ 
tient, operating-room, dressings, surgeon’s 
gowns, caps, instruments, etc., so as to render all 
these, and surgeons, assistants and nurses as 
well, absolutely free from poison (aseptic) by 
the use of antiseptics no one should suffer from 
so terrible a condition, a condition dreaded by 
all 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 assist- 
70 
