STERILE DRESSINGS—ANTISEPTIC SOLUTIONS—STERILIZATION OF INSTRUMENTS
The preparation of sterile dressings, antiseptic solutions and the sterilization of instruments, is particularly the work of the nurse, whether in the hospital or in a private home. The following directions are therefore desirable:
As soon as the nurse is sure her patient is in labor, she boils a milk bottle, fills it two-thirds full of 95 per cent alcohol, puts a pledget of sterile cotton in the bottom and then boils a pair of dressing forceps, which are placed, handle up, in the alcohol. (See Fig. 52, page [132].) With this forceps, she handles all clean dressings, instruments, and rubber goods that may be contaminated by touch.
Dressings and Supplies.—The necessary dressings and supplies may be prepared one or two weeks before labor according to the following instructions:
Five Yard Packing.—Draw threads at either end of five yard lengths of gauze to its full width. Fold the cut edge across until it lies one-third the distance from the opposite side. Next, fold the double edge over, and bring it to the outside edge of the first fold. Keep it perfectly straight. When folded full length, roll from the end and wrap in strong muslin wrappers. Sterilize in the autoclave or Arnold sterilizer.
Pads for the Vulva.—Unroll a whole bale of common cotton and cover it with a ½ inch thickness of absorbent cotton. Cut in lengths of 12 in. by 4 in. wide. Cover with gauze cut 12 by 14 inches, and fold the ends of gauze over absorbent cotton. Roll from the end, wrap in paper, seal, and sterilize.
Pledgets.—Tear two yard strips, lengthwise of the roll of absorbent cotton, pull from these, three inch pieces, roll them in the hands until round, place in clean bags, and sterilize.
Breast Covers.—Squares of old, soft muslin 4 by 4 inches, with all strings removed, make the best dressings for the nipple. Do not use gauze, because the papillæ of the nipple may get caught in the mesh and when it is taken off, the tender nipple is irritated or abraded.
Breast Binders.—These are made of single material, because they would be too warm otherwise. They are sleeveless and jacket-shaped and measure 16 inches from shoulder to waist, 40 inches long, and 10 inches for the arm scallop. A binder of this size, if properly adjusted, will fit a patient of any size. Three will be sufficient for the case.
Abdominal Binders.—The abdominal and breast binders are worn during the bed period only. The abdominal binder is made of unbleached muslin, double material, 14 by 40 inches, and hemmed. In the center of the back, on the lower edge, a curved space, six inches wide, is cut out to prevent the binder from getting soiled. To this curved edge, the pad holder is attached by two safety pins, one on either side. The abdominal binder is adjusted by pinning firmly above the fundus, and loosely below.