History and value of antiseptics : together with remarks on antiseptic dressings, read before the Surgical section of the Suffolk District Medical Society, April 7, 1886 / by Ernest W. Cushing.

  • Cushing, Ernest W. (Ernest Watson), 1847-1916.
Date:
1886
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: History and value of antiseptics : together with remarks on antiseptic dressings, read before the Surgical section of the Suffolk District Medical Society, April 7, 1886 / by Ernest W. Cushing. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    (1 : 1000, or weaker down to 1 : 10000), carbolic aciM (3 jier cent), iodoform^ Antiseptic surgery requires that every tiling that conies near tlie wound should be jierfectly free from germs, — fingers, instruments, needles, catgut, drainage- tubes, sponges, coverings, bandages, etc. Nothing is really satisfactory as a means of cleaning the fingers, excejit corrosive sublimate (jji^oij) ; but for instruments, carl.)olic acid (g^g) is efficient. They sliould be immersed in the solution f(n' a half-hour before the operation. The skin of the part to be operated on is to be soapeil, shaved, and scrubbed with a nail-brush with 1 : 1000 cor- rosive-sublimate solution. During tlie operation tlie wound is to be well douched with a hot corrosive-sublimate solution, from 1 : 2000 tii 1 : 5000, according to the surface exposed and the length of tlie operation. The ilnid runs off on a rubber sheet into a pail. The surrounding parts sliould he covered with towels wrung out in the same solution. Ab■^olute accuraMT is essential in every detail. The assistant wlm haneuRiny instrument must have disinfected his liand> as afiove; nothing must be dropped on the floor, or rubbed on the table or clotlies. The sutures of catgut will be absorbed m the wound. The dressings need only be changed once to remove the drainage-tube : and.