io6 
L. A. THOMAS. 
less highly poisonons, promptly sets up local changes in the 
shape of inflammation, and cause systemic trouble—that is, 
septic fever. 
It is further necessary for us to know that in septic process 
of a wound, not only the ptomaines are absorbed by the lym¬ 
phatics, but that often an invasion of the living tissues by the 
fungi will take place, and that the lymphatics and veins will also 
serve as channels for the importation of dangerous quantities of 
fungi into the circulation. Secondary deposits will then easily 
occur. 
It is this doctrine that has revolutionized the practice of 
modern surgery; the details by which it is carried out are nec¬ 
essarily changeable, but the principle itself is immutable, for it 
is based upon direct experimental observation. 
Realizing the foregoing conditions, all surgical interference, 
no matter how trivial a nature, should be performed under strict 
antiseptic precautions. Admittedly in veterinary practice, there 
are many almost insurmountable difficulties, not the least being 
the habitations of patients. In many respects these may be 
overcome or reduced to a minimum, the all-important factors 
being cleanliness, good drainage and ventilation; of which the 
surgeon should assure himself by personal examination. To 
solicit discussion on this topic, rather than with the view of 
routine practicability, the following outline of the minutia of an 
antiseptic operation may be ol interest; trusting that we may 
thereby appreciate the fact that asepsis is not an impossibility 
in veterinary practice, and that many of the more important 
items may be easily carried out with the expenditure of a little 
care and time. 
All instruments should be placed in a steam sterilizer and 
steamed for at least half an hour, then dried with a clean cloth 
and rolled in a linen wrapper, made for the purpose, and pre¬ 
viously sterilized and dried. The instruments are then ready 
foj* use at any moment. In the absence of a sterilizer, boiling 
may be substituted. The silk sutures should be rolled upon 
glass spools or tubing of convenient size, and boiled in a 5 per 
