A reference hand-book for nurses

by Amanda K. Beck

Take an ordinary wash-boiler. Make a crate of three light boards and a few slats to fit the interior. Boards should be about six inches high, to escape the water. The slats laid across will support all goods necessary for an operation. Pack parcels lengthwise to permit the full circulation of steam. Sterilize under full pressure of steam for one hour. Then take out and place on a table to dry.

TO STERILIZE AN OBSTETRIC SET
OR SMALL PACKAGES.

Use a boiler or small kettle which has two handles. Make a hammock of strong muslin, tie corners to the handles and place packages in the sling suspended an inch or two above the boiling water. Cutting the muslin in a square and folding it on the bias gives more room, as the goods will stretch.

INSTRUMENTS TO USE FOR
OPERATIVE CASES.

CURETMENT SET.
1	pair scissors.	1	uterine probe, long.
2	forceps, 8-inch.	4	“  curets, sharp and dull.
2	tissue forceps, long.	6	hemostats, 6-inch.
1	placenta forceps, Barrett’s.	2	tenacula.
1	uterine dressing forceps.	2	volsella.
3	“  sounds.	1	Sims’ speculum.
1	“  dilator.	1	retractor, deep and broad.
1	“  douche point.
HERNIA SET.
2	pairs scissors.	6	hemostats, 4-inch.
2	scalpels.	18	“6- “
2	pairs tissue forceps.	3	“8- “
1	grooved director.	1	needle-holder.
1	Kocher“	2	perineum needles.
1	Fenger“	Suturing material and needles.
1	probe.	2	pairs retractors, sharp and dull.
AMPUTATION SET.
2	pairs scissors.	6	hemostats, 4-inch.
1	scalpel.	18	“6- “
2	pairs tissue forceps.	2	“8- “
1	bone saw.	2	curets.
1	cutting forceps.	2	periosteotomes, long and short.
1	holding “	1	bone elevator.
2	bone-holding forceps.	2	probes.
1	lion jaw.	1	hammer.
1	rongeur.	2	chisels.
1	grooved director.	1	needle-holder.
1	Kocher“	Needles and suturing material.
2	pairs retractors,sharp and dull.
LAPAROTOMY SET.
1	pair scissors, curved.	2	pairs retractors, broad.
1	““straight.	2	““narrow.
2	scalpels.	6	hemostats, 4-inch.
2	pairs tissue forceps.	18	“6- “
1	grooved director.	3	“8- “
1	Kocher“	2	“curved, 8-in.
1	Fenger“	2	tenacula.
1	probe.	2	volsella.
2	pairs retractors, superficial.	2	perineum needles.
2	““sharp.	1	needle-holder.
2	““dull.	Needles and suturing material.
2	““deep.
GALL-STONE SET.
1	laparotomy set.	2	gall-stone scoops.
1	lithotomy forceps.	Aspirating syringe and needle.
1	long probe.	2	bone curets.
SKIN-GRAFT SET.
1	scalpel.	2	curets.
1	pair scissors.	3	hemostats, 8-inch.
1	tissue forceps, plain.	6	“6- “
1	““rat-tooth.	2	razors.
1	Fenger director.
SKULL FRACTURE SET.
1	pair scissors, straight.	18	hemostats, 6-inch.
1	““curved.	6	“4- “
2	scalpels.	4	“8- “
1	bone-holding forceps.	3	bone curets.
1	bone-cutting“	2	gouges.
1	probe, long.	2	periosteotomes.
1	“ short.	1	rongeur.
1	Fenger grooved director.	1	lion jaw.
1	Kocher grooved director.	2	trephines.
2	retractors, superficial, sharp.	1	deVilbiss.
2	retractors, superficial, dull.	1	hammer.
2	chisels.	2	aneurism needles.
1	aspirating syringe.	1	bone elevator.
1	“needle.	2	pair tissue forceps.
Needle-holder and needles.		1	ether mask.
HEMORRHOID SET.
2	pair scissors.	1	grooved director.
2	knives.	6	hemostats, 6-inch.
1	clamp.	2	“8- “
2	retractors.	2	““T.“
2	tooth tissue forceps.	1	bone curet.
1	plain ““	1	rectal dilator.
1	probe.	Cautery.
PROSTATECTOMY SET.
1 laparotomy set, suprapubic.
1 hernia set, perineal.
Add to either set:
6	sounds, graduated sizes.	6	filiform bougies.
2	metal catheters.	1	rubber catheter, size 16.
2	grooved staves.	1	“““ 18.
SURGICAL SETS FOR STRANGULATED HERNIA, GASTRO-ENTEROSTOMY, GUNSHOTS, ETC.
1	laparotomy set.	4	intestinal clamps.
2 Murphy buttons.
TUBERCULOUS GLAND AND GOITER SETS.
1	hernia set.	2	aneurism needles.
6	hemostats, 6-inch.	1	ether mask.
WIRING OF BONE.
1	1 amputation set.	4	drills.
2	drill-holders.	Wire or plates and screws.
SURGICAL SETS FOR VARICOSE VEINS, VARICOCELE, HYDROCELE.
1 hernia set.

SURGICAL POSTURES.

Sims’s posture, anterior view.

Sims’s posture, posterior view.