Hints on the antiseptic management of wounds : listerism / by Francis M. Caird.

  • Caird, Francis M., 1853-
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints on the antiseptic management of wounds : listerism / by Francis M. Caird. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

    14/40 (page 8)
    jet of water which would ensue were the boiler overfilled. We light the lamp, noting that the wick is in good order, and that there is a sufficiency of spirit; and, should the lamp be arranged for a double flame, we must see that the wick is in proper position to keep the large flame at full strength. We judge that steam is up, if it escapes with great force, and if it has a distinctly blue colour when we shut off all the carbolic acid, which may readily be done by compressing the carbolic tube with the fingers, and so seeing steam alone. One has also the peculiar rushing sound, the smell and taste of the spray to guide them in ascertaining if all is in working order. A small filter, formed of a small piece of fine sponge, inserted into the lower extremity of the carbolic tube, and secured in position by means of a gauze cap, will prevent the lower point from getting choked with dirt, which, falling into the open jar of acid, may be sucked up and so cause trouble. This filter must be changed or cleaned occasionally. Should the spray cease working, .we may unscrew the points, and affix the reserve pair found in the hollow handle, the wound being protected by a guard, that is, a rag or piece of muslin or gauze soaked in lotion, and laid over the exposed part. In this way operative pro- cedure is not hindered, and the defaulting points may be seen to and cleaned out with a horse-hair or fine silver wire at some future time. This is an accident which hardly ever occurs in private practice. The other antiseptics employed may now be dis- cussed. A solution of chloride of zinc, forty grains to an ounce