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170 ANTISEPSIS IN DENTISTRY.

two sets in daily use. When through with one patient the instruments
should undergo the boiling process in preparation for the next. At
the close of the day all instruments used should be thoroughly
boiled and dried upon aseptic napkins and placed in the case. The
possibility of infection from the latter must not be overlooked. The
first and second set, therefore, used the next day for the first time should
be either boiled again or each instrument dipped into an antiseptic fluid.
For this ])ur})ose the writer prefers a strong solution of hydronaphthol
(8 grains to the ounce of alcohol) to the carbolic-acid solution ordinarily
used. With this care all danger of infection can be removed and the
dentist relieved of all legal responsibility.
The preparation of the hands previous to operations is most per-
plexing to the conscientious operator, whether this be in surgery or
dental practice. In order that dental operators may be able to arrive
at definite conclusions in regard to what may be required of them in
their daily work, the following quotation is given from Nancrede's
article ^ on the care required in hospital surgical practice :
" Sterilized water as hot as can be borne should be employed. This
must, of course, be never cooled by the addition of any but cold ster-
ilized water. . . . The nail-brush, best made of vegetable fiber, must
be always carefully rinsed after use and sterilized by heat for each
operation. . . . Although it is alleged that all soaps made by heat are
sterile—indeed, that potash soap is an active germ-inhibitor in the pro-
portion of 1 : 5000 — yet it is the part of prudence to combine with the
soft soap 5 per cent, of hydronaphthol or thymol, to insure that the
soap itself is free from germs. After thoroughly rubbing into the hands
and arms and under the nails abundance of soap, the nail-brush and
hot water must be vigorously used, especially beneath and around the
nails, for from two to five minutej. Next, carefully clean the nails and
around them with a nail-cleaner. Removal of all grease can now be
effected by ether or by immersion in alcohol, or best by alcohol contain-
ing 5 per cent, of dilute acetic acid, which should be rinsed otf thor-
oughly with sterilized water, removing the last traces of soap. Finally,
the hands should be immci'sed—not merely dipped—in a 1 : 2000 mer-
curic chlorid solution for not less than three — preferably five—minutes.
Instead of corrosive sublimate solution, ordinary mustard flour mixed
in the hands into a thin paste with sterilized water, used with gentle
friction for two or three minutes and then removed with sterilized
water, will prove a most successful germicide."
AVhile the foregoing may serve as a basis for comparison, it would
be wholly impracticable in dental practice. It remains, however, that
the hands of the dental operator should be the subject of constant care.
' Loc. cit.