The Ordway new era., 1910-04-08
NAILS DO NOT POISON
Rusty Halls and FInger Hails Only
Dangerous 6ecouse of
What They Convoy

Our grandmothers used to tell us
that wounds from rusty nails. were
poisonous. and that we must not pick
or scratch Il ''s0rc" with the finger
nails, aS they too, were poisonous TO
wounds.
These admonitions were based on
observation and experience, and
these sayings is literally true. we also
know that under ordinary conditions
both rusty nails and finger nails may
poison Il wound even to the extent OF
producing serious or fatal blood pOiS-
oning, and. what is more, we know
why it is so and how TO prevent it.
About thirty years ago Lord Lister
began the treatment OF wounds. both
accidental and surgical, by what
was called the antiscptic method. His
practice was based upon the theory
that poisoning (infection) OF wounds
and OF the whole system through Il
wound (blOod pOisOning) was produced
by organisms (bacteria) which caused
puS III a
conclusions were arrived at through
the study OF wounds and by expert
mcntS on animals. and us result OF
work along these lines by Pastcur.
Lister and others. many thousands OF
human lives have been saved and
many lifc-saving surgical operations
have become safe and untold human
suffering has been prevented or re-
licvrd This admirable object lesson
teaches MANY important things. not
human family owes tothc great teach.
crS who have worked out thc>" truths
for Us and given them To US without
cost. ltcmphasizeS also the almost
criminal folly Of the fanatical Opp"Si-
tion to animal experimentation (vivi-
section) without which these results
would have been impossible.
But to return to the poisonous
rusty nail and the poisonous finger
nail. These, VIC now know, are not
poisonous In themselves but through
that they carry to the wound. Mel
thcr the nail nor the rust (iron oNidc)
is poisonous to wounds.
II the rusty nail he brilcd and the
organic matter upon it SO destroyed
or devitllized. it might be imbcddrd
in the flesh for many months or even
years and cause no injury.
So. too. the finger nails properly
al. Ia, h.nrfnri.I fhav
inevitably collect under and about
them, may be used about any wound
with safety.
The practical application OF this
principle by the surgeon narrows IT,
self down to cleaning as absolutely as
possible (sterilizing) all that must
come in contact with a wound. The
instruments are boiled. the dressings
are steamed and the hands OF the op-
orator and his assistants and the skin
of the patient about the. wound are
scrubbed with clean soap and hot
water, etc.
Every wound or abrasion involves
a risk of infection (blood poisoningl.
While one may not be able tn cleanse
his skin. and boil II rusty nail before
he receives wound with il, lie can
always cleanse the wound Immediate
ly aftcrward, and with clean fingers
apply II clean dressing to the wound.
and so prevent many serious inicc.
tions. Each subsequent dressing
should be made with the same care a>
the first.
Cleanse the wound thoroughly with
clean soap and hot tboilcd) water with
clean hands. Wash with grain alcohol
wood alcohol is pni>onOus). ether. tur-
pcntinc or gasoline IL either he avail
able. Wash again with hO, tb"ilcd)
water. Dry gently with Il clean t~tcr-
ile) towel and cover with Il clean
dressing. preferably Of sterile gauzr
or absorbent cotton. which may he
had at any drug store.
Rusty nails and finger nails "in
mourning arc dangerous only be-
cause Of that which they convey.
Andrew Carnegie and wife passed