Lister i an Methods of Dressing Wounds

Cai acid was the first antiseptic, but from its volatilit slowne of action as a germicide, it was rep corrosive sublimate. But this proved irritating was precipitated by the albumin of the blood What might be called the Third Method was antiseptic dre ing called Sero-sublimate Gauze, isting of a gauze charged with a solution of corve sublimate in the serum of horses' blood. This found difficult to manufacture and was harsh and -absorbent. The Fourth Method consisted in a mbi nation of chlorid of ammonium and bichlorid of mercury, called Sal-alembroth. This was likewise objectionable because of its ready solubility in the blood-serum. Fifth Method, a gauze containing three or four per cent, by weight of the biniodid of mercury. This proved irritating to the skin. A Sixth Method consists in the employment of gauze impregnated with a solution of a double cyanid of zinc and mercury colored with rosanilin. This is said to be nonvolatile, unirritating, insoluble in water, and only soluble in 3000 parts of blood-serum. It po e e.- but little germicidal power, while but 1: 1200 keeps animal fluids free from putrefaction. Seventh Method; lately Lister has returned to the use of carbolic acid, preferring it to corrosive sublimate: (i) because it is a more powerful antiseptic; because it has greater penetrating power. He combines it with the use of the double cyanid gauze, preparing the latter with a 1 to 20 solution of carbolic acid.