No woolen garments should be allowed to come in contact with the site of the operation, nor is it well to allow such material in the operating room while working.
Freshly laundered linen gowns of Von Bergman’s pattern, reaching to the shoes, should be worn. They should contain half sleeves and be buttoned on the back. See [Fig. 10]. These may be sterilized in the steam sterilizer or washed in one-per-cent soda solution. When soiled or blood-stained they should be relaundered.
The operator may substitute the gown with a rubber apron of the Triffe pattern, reaching as high as the collar, but continuous washing quickly ruins them. See [Fig. 11].
Fig. 10.—Von Bergman Operating Gown.
Fig. 11.—Triffe Rubber Apron.
PREPARING THE PATIENT
General Preparation
The patient for all plastic operations should be carefully examined as to general health and past history. His healing powers should be at their best, as much depends on primary union. If he presents a syphilitic history, it is well to place him under treatment, for a time, at least, before an operation is undertaken. The bowels should be regular. Sulphate of magnesium should be given each morning, before breakfast, for at least two days prior to operating, while his general condition may be improved by the employment of bitter and alterative tonics. Nux vomica with tinct. cinchonæ com., associated with essence of pepsin aromat., or lactopeptone, are very useful. This treatment is also carried on for several days, post operatio.