Pad holders are made of unbleached muslin, and measure 6 by 16 inches.
Cord Dressings.—Cut squares of surgical lint 4 by 4 inches, and cut through to the center on one side. Gauze may be used, but it is not ideal.
Nursery Cotton.—Tear absorbent cotton into narrow lengths and pull out small one inch pieces. Roll them, place in a clean bag and sterilize.
Applicators.—Use absorbent cotton and toothpicks. Tear off small pieces of cotton, moisten the toothpick point with water, place in the middle of the cotton, and roll firmly.
Gauze Sponges.—Cut gauze into squares 6 by 6 inches, and fold from each side to the center. This brings all the ragged edges inside. Fold into squares, place in jars, and sterilize.
Sterilization of Instruments.—Place scalpels in carbolic acid 95 per cent for ten minutes. Lift with sterile forceps, and put in a basin of 95 per cent alcohol for ten minutes. In the absence of carbolic acid and alcohol, the scalpels may be dropped in a 2 per cent solution of lysol for twenty minutes. Cleanse with hot sterile water. (Do not boil scalpels; it dulls the sharp edges.)
All other instruments may be placed in a sterilizer (dishpan or wash boiler) with enough water to completely cover them; boil twenty minutes. Cool in sterile pan, which may be set in cold water. Do not use soda on the instruments during sterilization, as it makes a thick, gummy precipitate on the metal.
The sterile handling forceps must be immersed at all times for two-thirds their length in 95 per cent alcohol.
Brushes.—After using, all brushes should be thoroughly washed, boiled, and dried, wrapped in waxed papers, and sterilized in the autoclave. In the absence of the autoclave, boil thirty minutes.
Basins, pitchers, and douche pans are sterilized by wrapping in strong muslin bags and put to boil for forty-five minutes in the basin boiler or wash boiler. They will not remain sterile longer than one week, even when kept in a clean place and well wrapped. Bedpans should be washed in a strong solution of soap and water, rinsed every morning and boiled for thirty minutes.