Fig. 6.—Instrument Table.
Irrigator.—An irrigator is often of service, especially in washing out the fine pieces of bone resulting from chiseling or drilling. In skin-grafting it may be used with sterilized three-per-cent salt solution as described later. The best irrigators are those of germ-proof or ground-glass stopper type. They are suspended from the wall by means of an iron bracket or pulley service or placed upon a movable enameled stand as shown in [Fig. 7].
Irritating antiseptic solutions are to be avoided, their especial indication will be found under antiseptic care of wounds.
CARE OF INSTRUMENTS
Fig. 7.—Irrigator.
All instruments should be of modern make, devoid of clefts or grooves, and having separating locks when possible. Wooden or ivory handles should be entirely discarded. They should first be rendered free of dirt or dried blood by scrubbing briskly with a stiff nailbrush and hot water; then dried and placed in the sterilizer. The immersed instruments are boiled for five or ten minutes. There are many of such sterilizing apparatuses to be obtained, all made on the same plan, however, and consist of a copper or brass box and cover well nickel plated. Folding legs are placed beneath. A perforated tray is placed within for the immersion of instruments. An alcohol lamp with asbestos wick furnishes the heat.
One per cent of carbonate of soda added to the water prevents them from rusting. The simple subjection of instruments to carbolic-acid solutions or antiseptics of like nature is useless. (Gärtner, Kümmel, Gutch, Redard, and Davidsohn.)
From the sterilizer the instruments are placed in a glass tray containing a one-per-cent lysol solution. Knives, needles, and scissors should be immersed in a tray with alcohol, as a great number of antiseptics destroy their cutting edges. Glass or porcelain trays are best for this purpose. A sterilized towel being placed in the bottom of each for the better placing of instruments.