A Method of Rendering Antiseptic and Preparing Gauze, Lint, Ligatures, and other Fabrics for use in Surgery.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 31st July, 1890
Complete Specification Left, 30th Apr., 1891-Accepted, 13th June, 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Rendering Antiseptic and Preparing Gauze, Lint,
Ligatures, and other Fabrics for use in Surgery.
CHARLES ROBERT CLARKE TICHBORNE LL.D., F.C.S., L.R.C.S.l. of
15 North Great Georges Street Dublin, Analytical Chemist, and FRANCIS
THOMAS HENSTON M.D., F.R.C.S. Stephens Green, Dublin, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
We propose to boil the gauze, or other material in water, and then in a solution
of sulphate of zinc. To this gauze or other material (still in the zinc solution)
is then added a boiling solution of sulphite of sodium in equivalent proportions.
On cooling insoluble sulphite of zinc is deposited in, and around the fibres of the
material. The gauze, or other fabric is then passed through water to remove
sulphate of sodium and it is dried for use.
We also propose to claim the deposition of sulphite of zinc on fabrics by the
use of any two, or more salts which will deposit spontainiously this insoluble salt.
Or sulphite of zinc may be dissolved in an excess of sulphurous acid, and it may be
deposited on the material by neutralizing, or evaporating the acid.
Dated this 30th day of July 1890.
CHARLES R. C. TICHBORNE.
FRANCIS T. HENSTON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of Rendering Antiseptic and Preparing Gauze, Lint,
Ligatures, and other Fabrics for use in Surgery.
CHARLES ROBERT CLARKE TICHBORNE LL.D., L.R.C.S.I. & A.H.I.
15 North Great Georges Street Dublin, and FRANCIS THOMAS HENSTON
M.D., F.R.C.S. Stephens Green Dublin, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Our invention is a method of rendering gauze, or fabrics used in surgical
operations permanently antiseptic by impregnating the fibres of the material with
sulphite of zinc.
With this object in view we boil the gauze, or other material for some time in
water to destroy germs and to this water we then add sulphate of zinc (in about
the proportion of 12 ounces of the salt to 2 gallons of the water) and the boiling is
then continued for some time longer. To this solution of sulphate of zinc & whilst
still on the material, is added a boiling solution of sulphite of sodium. The sulphite
of sodium is used in equivalent proportions, and dissolved in only a small quantity
of water. Whilst still boiling a small quantity of methyl-violet, or any other anti-
septic & non-poisonous dye is added-and the whole is allowed to stand until quite
cool (say 8 to 12 hours). Insoluble sulphite of zinc is then deposited in, and
around the surface, of the fabric.
It will also be found dyed so that the amount of discharge from the wounds can
be estimated without removing the dressings.
The gauze, or other material is then run twice through running water by the aid
of rollers. To the water used for this purpose we add a small proportion of sulphite
of zinc to render it antiseptic.

page_text: The object of the said washing being to remove the soluble by-products sulphate
of sodium.
Any other two salts may be used in place of the sulphate of zinc, and sulphite of
sodium, so that the result is the production of insoluble sulphite of zinc and so that
the other by-products are soluble, and can be removed by washing, such for instance
as chloride of zinc and sulphite of calcium-which gives insoluble sulphite of zinc
and soluble chloride of calcium.
Or, by another method we propose to dissolve sulphite of zinc by an excess of
sulphurous acid, and after saturating the fabric, with this solution the excess of the
acid may be neutralized-or it may be evaporated away, when the insoluble sulphite
will be deposited in the fibre of the material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declair that what we
claim is
The deposition of sulphite of zinc in, & upon the fabrics used in surgical dressings
by any of the above methods-
s-so as to render the said fabrics permanently
antiseptic & healing.
Dated this 50th 1 f A 1001
CHARLES ROBERT CLARKE TICHBORNE.
FRANCIS THOMAS HENSTON.