3. Place the catgut in cumol, which must not be above a temperature of 100° C., raise it to 165° C., and hold it at this point for one hour.
4. Pour off the cumol, and either allow the heat of the sand-bath to dry the catgut, or transfer it to a hot-air oven, at a temperature of 100° C. for two hours.
5. Transfer the rings with sterile forceps to test-tubes previously sterilized as in the laboratory.
The cleanest specimens of the crude catgut should be obtained for surgical purposes. There is no doubt that some specimens of crude catgut are more difficult to sterilize than others. A special apparatus has been introduced for sterilizing catgut which renders the process safe and certain.
The writer uses catgut only for suture of the abdominal fascia and muscles. Large-sized gut is employed.
The Dressing.—The dressing of the abdominal wound consists of ten or twelve layers of sterilized gauze, covered by a large sterilized abdominal pad about 1 inch thick, 13 inches long, and 9 inches broad. The pad is made of absorbent cotton enclosed in a layer of gauze. The dressing is retained in place by a six-tailed sterilized abdominal binder of flannel.
If no drainage through the abdominal incision is employed, the use of celloidin with the gauze dressing is of advantage. It retains the dressing securely in position for an indefinite period, and, if used liberally, it acts as a splint for the abdominal wall. Either of the two following formulæ given by Robb may be used:
| ℞. | Ether (Squibb’s), | |||
| Absolute alcohol, | āā. | ℥viss; | ||
| Of a solution made of 15 grains of bichloride crystals dissolved in 11 drams of absolute alcohol, | ♏xvj. |
Mix, and add of Anthony’s “snowy cotton” enough to give the solution the consistence of simple syrup.
| ℞. | Absolute alcohol, | ℥viss; | |
| Iodoform powder, | ʒxiiss; | ||
| Mix, and add ether, | ℥viss. |