HANDS AND INSTRUMENTS, ETC. 
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. The 
alcohol as a further precaution against bacteria, 
and the sterile water to relieve the irritation 
caused by the vigorous scrubbing and use of 
strong solutions. During operation Dr. Zinke 
uses alcohol, bichloride of mercury solution, i- 
8,000, and sterile water for further protection'. 
No. 2. Hand Disinfection. —Some surgeons 
use alcohol, followed by bichloride solution and 
hot sterile water, applied in the same way as 
the permanganate and oxalic acid are used after 
the vigorous scrubbing with brush, soap and 
water and use of nail knife recommended in No. 
i. There are various other methods of hand 
disinfection. 
No. 3. Hand Disinfection. —The method of 
hand cleansing and sterilization used by Dr. F. 
S. Thomas, chief of staff and surgeon of the 
Thomas Hospital, Charleston, West Virginia, is 
as follows: 
I. —Five to ten minutes thorough washing and 
scrubbing with green soap and hot water, using a 
sterile nail brush vigorously, especially about the 
finger nails, and drying with a sterile towel. 
II. —Careful cleaning and clipping of nails 
with nail file and knife. 
III. —A second washing of hands with soap 
and hot water for further cleansing from nail 
deposits. 
Alcohol and 
Bichloride 
Preferred. 
A West 
Virginia 
Surgeon’s 
Method (’g8-’o2). 
77 
