SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
449 
tion, or if ventilated at the expense of warmth and protection 
from storms. Now, gentlemen, these are stern facts, not dreams ; 
we see them every day and yet I am convinced that aseptic 
surgery is not only practicable, but in the interests of our 
patient, patron, purse, and our profession, profitable and indis¬ 
pensable. To offset in some measure this deplorable list of ad¬ 
verse conditions, we have on the other hand the simplicity of 
living, absence of vicious habits, rarity of nervous complica¬ 
tions, and, above all, an inherent power of resistance to infective 
germs. Consider the almost total immunity of the horse to such 
diseases as anthrax, tuberculosis, erysipelas, etc. Give a sur¬ 
geon such conditions in his treatment of the human family and 
surgery is robbed of half its dangers. 
Consider again the number of ovariotomies annually perpe¬ 
trated (I believe that is the proper word considering the skill 
of the parties usually employed in such work) on heifers and 
other animals, with no attempt at even ordinary cleanliness ob¬ 
served by butchers, and with a very small per cent, of fatalities, 
and we have infallible proof of this resistance to pathogenic 
germs. How much more may we not accomplish by the strict 
adherence to the principles of asepsis and antisepsis, discard the 
filthy stable bucket, dirty water and greasy sponge. Sterilize 
our instruments, sponges, hands, and prepare thoroughly our 
field of operation. -In short, observe the full technique as ap¬ 
proved by our best surgeons, and notwithstanding so much that 
seems to threaten failure, results will be both surprising and 
gratifying. I have refrained from any discussion of the com¬ 
parative value of antiseptics. The careful and thorough applica¬ 
tion of the principle to the case in hand is of much more impor¬ 
tance. If we cleanse everything by heat and apply good soap, 
brush, razor, and elbow grease, we are very near the goal. The 
selection of the antiseptic is, and always will remain much a 
matter of choice and custom, or individual experience. 
Wherever the process of bacterial infection exists, whether 
it be in external wounds, or in internal viscera, the use and 
administration of antiseptics is highly indicated , and if directed 
timely, and with proper judgment and selection, nothing but 
decided benefit can accrue from their use. 
I would deem it needless excess to indulge in a recitation of 
the application of antiseptics to external wounds and trauma 
before this intelligent audience, but permit me to call your at¬ 
tention to a field of application which I believe is not recognized 
by very many veterinarians. 
