has been provided. The long rubber vaginal nozzle will need to be used, rather than the shorter nozzles. This syringe and the nozzles should, of course, be perfectly new when used for the purpose.

A representation of a very simple yet efficient irrigator is shown in the cut.

A good plan where considerable water is likely

to be needed for irrigation, is to have three or four pitchers of water of the required temperature ready, so that they can be used in quick succession, or a large glass vessel placed on a shelf, or hung some distance above the patient, may have the rubber tubing and nozzle attached, and may be kept filled with water of the temperature required.

CHAPTER VI.

PREPARATION OF SPONGES.

of sponges.

The nurse should know something of the nature Description of sponges, in order to appreciate the necessity for a thorough cleansing of them prior to their application to surgical uses. The sponge is an animal found in the various seas, the fresh water forms being found in rivers and lakes. What we call a sponge is the skeleton of the animal. There are various species of sponges, some being much finer and softer than others. The latter are especially well adapted for use in delicate surgical work. These come to us largely from Turkey and are whence called the Levant sponge. The Dalmatian sponge is also a fine sponge. A similar species, though not quite so fine, is obtained from the Mediterranean. Two other species, the horse sponge and Zimocca sponge, of coarser quality, are also obtained from the Mediterranean. Florida sponges have of late grown much in favor, and are of a variety of species, some of which are very fine. Sponges grow at varying depths beneath the water, fastening themselves to rocks, stones, and other

obtained.

collecting and preparing for

Methods of objects. The methods for obtaining them are by harpooning, diving, and dredging. After they are the market. taken from the water they are exposed to the air for some hours until they show a tendency to decomposition. They are then beaten with a thick. stick, or trodden by the feet in a stream of flowing water, until the skin and outer soft tissues are completely removed.

Diseased

sponges.

The preparation of

sponges in

quantity

use.

After this cleansing they are hung up in the air to dry and then pressed into bales. If the sponges are packed before they are thoroughly dry a disease, shown by the presence of orange-yellow spots, breaks out among them. This is called the 'sponge cholera," or "pest." Some sponges are naturally of a dark brownish red near the base. This must be distinguished from the disease spots.

In wholesale houses for selling sponges they are cut in shape and further cleaned. The lightcolored sponges seen in drug stores have been bleached by the use of chemicals. Sponges are sold by weight, hence sand is often used as an adulteration.

For hospital use sponges may be bought in 25 lb. bales, bleached and purified. When thus for hospital obtained and prepared they probably cost about 3/4 cent each when ready for use. For private operations the surgeon usually provides his own. sponges and attends to their preparation.

The methods for cleansing sponges, as obtained by the bale, is as follows:

FOR CLEANING NEW SPONGES.

up

for cleaning and rendering aseptic

new sponges.

Method No. 1.-They must first be pounded in Methods an iron mortar, or upon a flat stone, to break any particles of sand they may hold. Should they be very sandy it is well to soak them in a solution of muriatic acid (2 drachms to the pint) for a few hours. Wring them out in several clean, filtered waters until the water remains perfectly clear. Then immerse in a saturated solution of permanganate of potassium for an hour. After bleaching. them with a ten per cent. solution of sulphurous acid (which does its work in an instant), again wring them out in several clean, filtered, and sterilized waters until the water remains perfectly clear and transparent.

Method No. 2.-After ridding the sponges of their sand according to the method described, wring them out of several clean waters. Then immerse in a saturated solution of permanganate of potassium for an hour. Next put them into a

saturated solution of oxalic acid and let them remain in this until bleached. They must then be rinsed in several waters (the water being filtered. and boiled) until the water is perfectly clear.