284 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
The bath used for this purpose may consist of absolute alcohol, 
or a 1.20 carbolic acid solution. 
The best method of sterilizing 
small and sharp instruments is by 
the use of formaldehyde vapor. 
Dressings should be modified to 
suit each case, and consist of an 
antiseptic gauze, applied either 
moist or dry. Small pieces of 
sterilized gauze are preferable to 
fig. 52 . sponges to remove blood from 
normal horse’s eye. the seat of operation. If sponges 
are used they should be ster¬ 
ilized by heat and washed in an antiseptic solution, or a nor¬ 
mal salt solution made with sterilized water. Silk or catgut 
sutures may be used ; if either is used it must be properly pr - 
pared and kept in alcohol or bichloride of mercury (1.1000). 
The indication for general anaesthetics in ophthalmic surgery is 
limited to operations requiring delicate manipulation and those 
in which the pain cannot be relieved by local anaesthetics, such 
as enucleation. 
General Preparation of Patient .— The patient must be placed 
in the best possible physical condition. The administration of 
a laxative a few days prior to the operation is advisaole. . 
The patient should be free from chronic diseases, and must not 
be subjected to an ophthalmic operation when affected with 
any acute disease. Patients with pulmonary or renal diseases 
should not be operated upon during cold weather, and those 
that are plethoric during hot weather. 
Preparation of Skin Around the Eye .—It is necessary to 
shave the hair and clean the skin around the seat of the opera¬ 
tion. After removing the hair the skin must be washed with 
soap and hot water, then with etherial soap or alcohol, followed 
by a bichloride or formalin solution. Irritating solutions, such 
as bichloride or formalin, must not be allowed to enter the eye; 
for this reason the ciliary margin must be cleaned with soap 
and water and very mild antiseptics. When the site has been 
thus prepared, it must be covered with a compress of cotton or 
lint saturated with a weak antiseptic solution, and kept in posi¬ 
tion for at least an hour before operating. The preparation of 
the seat of the operation depends much upon the nature of the 
operation. It is impossible to make the conjunctival sac aseptic, 
and irritating antiseptics must never be used in attempting to 
