Part 33

2. If the carpet cannot be removed, it may be protected with oilcloth, rubber sheeting, or newspapers, over which sheets can be pinned.

3. The windows can be frosted by rubbing sapolio on the inner surface, thus preventing any possible observation from the outside.

4. Two small tables placed together to form one of the required size, old blankets being used to make the tables of uniform height and also to furnish a comfortable surface for the patient, can be used for an operating-table, care being taken to cover the blankets with a bed-rubber or table oilcloth and a sheet, securely folded under, and tied to the table with muslin bandages.

5. A Kelly pad can be improvised by tightly rolling a blanket and covering it with a rubber sheet, two ends of which are to be pinned together and used to conduct the solutions into the foot-tub below.

6. An ironing-board or the leaf of an extension table, supported by two chairs, makes a good table for instruments or solution basins.

7. An ordinary clothes-boiler, one-third filled with water, can be used as a sterilizer, the instruments rolled in gauze, and the brushes and orange sticks (for the doctor’s hands) being immersed therein. The necessary dressings, towels, sheets, fountain syringe, etc., are sterilized by hanging them in a hammock or sling hung from the handles of the boiler. A kitchen fork, lengthened by securely fastening to it an iron spoon, makes a convenient utensil with which to remove the articles from the boiler.

8. An ordinary sheet folded over at the top makes an excellent gown for the operator, if the ends be carefully taken up under the arms, crossed in the back, and used as sleeves for the shoulders and upper part of the arm, the middle of the upper hem of the sheet being pinned to the collar in front.

9. Water boiled in the clothes-boiler or tea-kettles can be quickly cooled by placing pitchers of it, covered with sterile towels or cloths, in a dish-pan or foot-tub of cracked ice.

10. A kettle of water kept boiling during the operation is a great convenience.

11. Salt solution filtered into household preserving jars can be sterilized in the wash-boiler with the other articles.

12. A stretcher can be improvised by slipping two window-poles or broom-handles into the folds of a sheet folded the proper size and securely fastened with safety-pins.

13. The Trendelenburg position can be secured by using an ordinary kitchen chair comfortably padded with a rubber-covered pillow and sheet, the back of the chair being placed under the patient.

14. The patient can be put in the lithotomy position by placing under the knees a padded walking-stick, to the ends of which is fastened a sheet folded diagonally, and passed under the shoulders.

AN EMERGENCY STEAM STERILIZER.

Take an ordinary wash-boiler. Make a crate of three light boards and a few slats to fit the interior. Boards should be about six inches high, to escape the water. The slats laid across will support all goods necessary for an operation. Pack parcels lengthwise to permit the full circulation of steam. Sterilize under full pressure of steam for one hour. Then take out and place on a table to dry.

TO STERILIZE AN OBSTETRIC SET OR SMALL PACKAGES.

Use a boiler or small kettle which has two handles. Make a hammock of strong muslin, tie corners to the handles and place packages in the sling suspended an inch or two above the boiling water. Cutting the muslin in a square and folding it on the bias gives more room, as the goods will stretch.

INSTRUMENTS TO USE FOR OPERATIVE CASES.

CURETMENT SET.

1 pair scissors. 1 uterine probe, long. 2 forceps, 8-inch. 4 “ curets, sharp and dull. 2 tissue forceps, long. 6 hemostats, 6-inch. 1 placenta forceps, Barrett’s. 2 tenacula. 1 uterine dressing forceps. 2 volsella. 3 “ sounds. 1 Sims’ speculum. 1 “ dilator. 1 retractor, deep and broad. 1 “ douche point.

HERNIA SET.

2 pairs scissors. 6 hemostats, 4-inch. 2 scalpels. 18 “ 6- “ 2 pairs tissue forceps. 3 “ 8- “ 1 grooved director. 1 needle-holder. 1 Kocher “ 2 perineum needles. 1 Fenger “ Suturing material and needles. 1 probe. 2 pairs retractors, sharp and dull.

AMPUTATION SET.

2 pairs scissors. 6 hemostats, 4-inch. 1 scalpel. 18 “ 6- “ 2 pairs tissue forceps. 2 “ 8- “ 1 bone saw. 2 curets. 1 cutting forceps. 2 periosteotomes, long and short. 1 holding “ 1 bone elevator. 2 bone-holding forceps. 2 probes. 1 lion jaw. 1 hammer. 1 rongeur. 2 chisels. 1 grooved director. 1 needle-holder. 1 Kocher “ Needles and suturing material. 2 pairs retractors, sharp and dull.

LAPAROTOMY SET.

1 pair scissors, curved. 2 pairs retractors, broad. 1 “ “ straight. 2 “ “ narrow. 2 scalpels. 6 hemostats, 4-inch. 2 pairs tissue forceps. 18 “ 6- “ 1 grooved director. 3 “ 8- “ 1 Kocher “ 2 “ curved, 8-in. 1 Fenger “ 2 tenacula. 1 probe. 2 volsella. 2 pairs retractors, superficial. 2 perineum needles. 2 “ “ sharp. 1 needle-holder. 2 “ “ dull. Needles and suturing material. 2 “ “ deep.

GALL-STONE SET.

1 laparotomy set. 2 gall-stone scoops. 1 lithotomy forceps. Aspirating syringe and needle. 1 long probe. 2 bone curets.