A guide to the aseptic treatment of wounds / by Dr. C. Schimmelbusch. Preface by Prof. E. von Bergmann. Tr. from the 2nd rev. German ed. with express permission of the author / by Frank J. Thornbury.

Curt Schimmelbusch

Date:: 1900

Credit: A guide to the aseptic treatment of wounds / by Dr. C. Schimmelbusch. Preface by Prof. E. von Bergmann. Tr. from the 2nd rev. German ed. with express permission of the author / by Frank J. Thornbury. 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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$W'lu'ii the skin is \ery dirty, as is often the case with labors, or where there has been excessive desquamation in consequence ot the long en\eh)pment in bandages, it is advisable, previous to beginning tlie foregoing disinfecting ]>rocedures, to rub the surface with ether. 'The latter removes gross dirt most effectually. The presence of very tenacious substances, or the previous contact with especially infectious materials, is an indication for a repetition of the disinfecting ])rocedure outlined. The physician must further take the precaution not only to disinfect himself before an operation and examination, but also after the contact with all infectious substances ; particularly should the cleansing be thorough after dealing with suppurating wounds,—at least in the inter- est of personal safety,—to prevent the septic germs from rest- ing upon the hands and becoming adherent. In cleansing the patient's skin, especially in the region of tlie buttocks, the bath plays an important role. One or a number of baths should, when possible, be administered pre- vious to operations, and good bathing regulations in surgical hospitals are among the most important adjuncts to the aseptic appliances. If the bathing of the i)atient is impossible, washing with soap and water should be the more thorough with view to substituting the bath. For an ample distance in the neighborhood of the wound or area of operation the part should be shaved, not simply for the purpose of removing the hair upon which many germs alw\ays aggregate, but also for disposing of the superficial epidermis which, as a rule, is heavily impregnated with micro-organisms. Upon the head, for cosmetic reasons, the use of the razor has a certain limita- tion, although here also, even in minor cases, as simple cutane- ous cuts or superficial incisions, the hair should be removed for 3 to 5 centimetres from the margin of the wound. After shaving, another application of the soap and brush is made,$