Surgical ward work and nursing : a handbook for nurses and others / by Alexander Miles.

Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Surgical ward work and nursing : a handbook for nurses and others / by Alexander Miles. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    It is unfortunate that this lotion corrodes metaUic instru- ments, as it greatly restricts its use. This property should always be borne in mind, as expensive and delicate instru- ments may be destroyed if placed in it. On this account, also, tin basins must not be used for corrosive lotion, the tin- losing its polish, and turning the lotion black. Glass,, porcelain, or enamelled dishes must be employed.. So also with syringes. A brass syringe should never be used with corrosive lotion, always a glass or vulcanite one. Sponges should not be put into corrosive lotion, because,, although it does not actually destroy, it permanently blackens them. Corrosive lotion is at once rendered non-antiseptic by the- addition of a quantity of blood or pus to it. The albumin of the blood or pus acts on the solution, forming an albuminate- of mercury, which is not antiseptic. One can tell when this action has taken place by the thick brown deposit, resembling^ the sediment of strong beef-tea, which falls to the bottom of the basin. Caution !—Corrosive sublimate is a most deadly poison if taken by the mouth. It should therefore bear a prominent poison label, and be placed in some position where children or delirious patients cannot reach it. It may also produce symptoms of poisoning by being absorbed through the skin, or from a wound. These symptoms are abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting, and collapse, which may be followed by rapid death. A large wet dressing of corrosive sublimate should never be applied, because the contact of the lotion- with the skin produces irritation, and absorption rapidly follows. The chief advantage of corrosive lotion is its efficiency. Its disadvantages are : (i) It is poisonous on absorption ; (2) it corrodes metal instruments, tins, etc.; (3) it blackens, sponges; (4) it is not antiseptic after it comes in contact with blood or pus, hence it is rarely used as a lotion for dressings. Uses.—/ in f;oo : For sterilizing iodoform ; for purifying the patient's skin ; for purifying the hands, or the edges, of an operation wound, when they have been contaminated with septic matter, e.g. pus or bowel co.n.ten,ts. The alco-