general bacteriology 
49 
As to the disinfection of the operator’s hands, there 
still exists but little uniformity, some surgeons using 
the permanganate—oxalic acid, bichloride method 
(Welch’s method)—others using the alcohol-carbolic 
acid method (Fiirbringer) while still others use the 
bichloride solution only. 
As a matter of fact, the belief is gaining ground that 
the particular antiseptic used plays but an unimportant 
part, the two main considerations being the use of hot 
running water, soap and brush for at least 5 minutes, 
and wearing sterile rubber gloves; during the opera¬ 
tion the surgeon usually dips his gloved hands into a 
basin containing 1:1000 solution of bichloride of mer¬ 
cury. 
7. Surgical instruments, catgut, etc., are sterilized in 
different ways in different hospitals. The usual way is 
to boil the instruments in soda solution. 
8. Thermometers should be kept in a 5 per cent solu¬ 
tion of formalin; when needed, they should be thor¬ 
oughly rinsed in water. 
9. Rooms, closets, etc., had best be fumigated by 
formaldehyde. The best and the simplest method is 
that of Russell and Evans (Report of State Board of 
Health of Maine, 1904). For each thousand cubic feet 
of space ten ounces of formalin and five ounces of 
potassium permanganate crystals are placed in a two- 
or three-gallon galvanized iron pail which must have 
flaring sides because there is much spattering when the 
reaction between permanganate and formalin takes 
place; for this reason it is also advisable to place 
some heavy paper under the pail. Have all closets, 
drawers, etc., wide open, while all doors, windows, 
sashes, key-holes, etc., should be tightly plugged—the 
fumes of formaldehyde being extremely irritating and 
dangerous. As soon as potassium permanganate and 
