U, S. WAR DEPT. TECHNICAL MANUAL 8-611. 
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS INDIRECT BLOOD 
TRANSFUSION APPARATUS ™ (sue n 
uum is uu 
WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL 
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS 
INDIRECT BLOOD 
TRANSFUSION APPARATUS 
AND MISCELLANEOUS SURGICAL 
SUPPLIES: CARE AND MAINTENANCE 
WAR DEPARTMENT 
28 JANUARY 1944 WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Washington 25, D.C., 28 January 1944. 
TM 8-611, Surgical Instruments, Indirect Blood Transfusion 
Apparatus, and Miscellaneous Surgical Supplies: Care and Main- 
tenance, is published for the information and guidance of all con- 
cerned. 
[A. G. 300.7 (3 Dec 43).] 
By order of the Secretary of War : 
G. C. MARSHALL, 
Chief of Staff. 
Official : 
J. A. ULIO, 
Major General, 
The Adjutant General. 
Distribution : 
Bn 8 (5) ; C 8 (5) ; Hospital Units (5). 
(For explanation of symbols see FM 21-6.) WAR DEPARTMENT TECHNICAL MANUAL 
TM 8-611 
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS 
INDIRECT BLOOD 
TRANSFUSION APPARATUS 
AND MISCELLANEOUS SURGICAL 
SUPPLIES: CARE AND MAINTENANCE 
WAR DEPARTMENT 
2 8 JANUARY 19 4 4 
United States Government Printing Office 
Washington : 1944 
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C 
Price 10 cents Table of Contents 
Section I. General. Paragraph 
Purpose and scope 1 
Description 2 
II. Preservative Materials and Germicides. 
Preservative materials 3 
Germicides 4 
III. Surgical Instruments. 
General 5 
Operating knives 6 
Forceps 7 
Scissors 8 
Rongeur forceps 9 
Retractors, canulas, curettes, and miscellaneous in- 
struments 10 
Precautions 11 
Cystoscopes 12 
Bronchoscopic instruments 13 
IV. Indirect Blood Transfusion Apparatus. 
General 14 
Transfusion apparatus for fresh whole blood 15 
Transfusion apparatus for stored whole blood 16 
V. Miscellaneous Surgical Supplies. 
Rubber goods 17 
Glass syringes 18 
Syringe needles 19 
Surgical needles 20 Section I 
GENERAL 
1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE. This manual is published for the 
information and guidance of all personnel charged with the care and main- 
tenance of various surgical instruments, indirect blood transfusion appara- 
tus, rubber goods, glass syringes, syringe needles, and surgical needles. 
Only care and maintenance are discussed, because repairs, except those of 
a minor nature, are not ordinarily attempted in the field. 
2. DESCRIPTION. 
Si. Surgical instruments require constant care. They comprise one 
of the most important aids of the surgeon in the efficient performance of 
any operative procedure. Instruments are not mass produced but are the 
handiwork of highly skilled artisans. The supply of good instruments is 
limited, and the instruments themselves are costly. Maintenance and care 
must be exercised to prolong their life because their replacement is often 
difficult. 
b. The importance of proper care of instruments, in their packing and 
shipping and their sterilization and cleaning, must be impressed upon 
those to whom responsibility for such procedures is entrusted, for most of 
the wear and deterioration of instruments occurs in the course of such 
procedures. Some instruments are more susceptible to damage than 
others, but, in principle, the following precautions are applicable to all 
instruments: 
(1) In packing for shipment, sharp edges and delicate parts must be pro- 
tected. The entire instrument must be protected from any corrosive action 
of air or water, and must also be carefully unpacked when received. 
(2) During sterilization, measures must be taken to insure that parts are 
not damaged by striking each other or by striking the tray. Instruments 
that are adversely affected by heat sterilization must be cold sterilized. 
Cold sterilizing germicides that do not corrode or in any other way damage 
the instruments should be used. Distilled water, if available, should be 
used in heat sterilizers. 
(3) After use, instruments must be promptly cleansed, to remove blood, 
lubrication jelly, and debris, and then disinfected by methods that will not 
damage them. After they are thoroughly dried, instruments must be 
suitably protected from corrosion before being stored. 
607458*—44 Section II 
PRESERVATIVE MATERIALS AND 
. GERMICIDES 
3. PRESERVATIVE MATERIALS. Reference is made 
throughout this manual to various supplies needed for proper preservation 
and rust prevention. The complete nomenclature and sources of such 
supplies are as follows: 
a. Oil. Oil, lubricating, preservative, special, Ordnance No. AXS777. 
b. Compound. Compound, rust preventive, thin film, Ordnance 
No. AXS673 Rev. I. 
4. GERMICIDES. Gold sterilization solutions for such items as 
cystoscopes, bougies, and catheters should be prepared with Item 1K39200, 
mercury oxycyanide. 
Section III 
SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS 
5. GENERAL. 
a. Surgical instruments are usually grouped into general or specialty 
instruments without regard to the character of care or maintenance each 
should receive. An attempt is made here to segregate the instruments 
into limited groups, such as the forceps group and the scissors group, the 
instruments in each of which groups require similar care and maintenance. 
However, it must be remembered that the care required in handling 
instruments is usually dependent on the delicacy or precision of their 
construction. A delicate cataract knife or a precision-made scope requires 
more careful handling than a heavy scalpel or a simple speculum. 
b. By care is meant proper handling, whereas maintenance refers to 
lubrication or application of a protective compound for preservation pur- 
poses. Proper care and maintenance will materially lengthen the usable 
life of any instrument. 
6. OPERATING KNIVES. 
a. Operating knives are made from high quality tool or “cutlery” carbon 
steel or, in some instances, from stainless steel. Care is primarily con- 
cerned with maintaining sharpness as long as possible. 
b. The surface of the blade of a carbon steel knife is not plated but 
given a bright polish. The cutting edge is carefully honed to a high degree of sharpness. Both the cutting edge and the surface of the blade 
are subject to oxidation (rusting) and must be protected to maintain 
sharpness. To prevent oxidation, the following precautions should be 
observed: 
(1) When knives are not in use, they should be kept clean and free from 
moisture. To clean knives, wash them with soap and water; excessive 
rubbing and the use of abrasive cleaners should be avoided. Immediately 
after cleaning they should be rinsed, wiped dry with either a clean, soft 
cloth or chamois skin, and then wiped with an oiled cloth. When knives 
are to be stored or shipped, they should be covered by a coating of 
protective compound. (See par, 3.) 
(2) Rough handling, boiling, or the use of dry cotton or gauze for drying 
will damage the cutting edge. Knives must always be handled carefully. 
(3) Knives should be cleaned and dried as quickly as possible after use, as 
contact with moisture is conducive to rapid oxidation. 
(4) Stainless steel knives are not subject to oxidation, but should be given 
the same care as carbon steel knives because other corrosive agents may 
dull the blades. 
7. FORCEPS. 
a. Ring handled forceps. This group comprises various 
haemostatic, sponge, and grasping forceps, both chrome plated and stain- 
less steel, and either box lock or screw lock. The vital parts of forceps 
are the catches, the lock, and the jaws. 
(1) Forceps should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water. A brush 
should be used to clean the catches and the crevices in the jaws. The 
branches should be spread, and the lock scrubbed. Abrasives, such as 
sharp cleansers, should be avoided as continued use of an abrasive cleaner 
might cut through the plating at the comers and permit oxidation. After 
cleansing with soap and water, instruments should be rinsed with plain 
water. 
(2) Immediately after cleaning, forceps should be thoroughly dried, par- 
ticularly the lock and catches. Then a drop of oil should be placed in 
the lock of a box-lock forceps or on the screw of a screw-lock forceps, and 
the catches and branches wiped with an oiled cloth. 
(3) Haemostatic forceps should not be used for needle holders or sponge 
forceps because their use for such purposes will spring the shafts and pre- 
vent the jaws from approximating correctly. 
1». Spring forceps. This group is composed of the dressing and 
tissue spring forceps. They are either chrome plated or stainless steel. 
Their care is similar to that of other forceps. However, care should be 
taken to see that the branches are thoroughly dried on the inside, par- 
ticularly where the branches are attached, as otherwise the springs will rust through from the inside. After drying, spring forceps should be wiped 
with an oiled cloth. 
8. SCISSORS. This group comprises various surgical and bandage 
scissors, both chrome plated and stainless steel. The vital parts are the 
cutting edges and the lock. 
a. Scissor edges require the same care as knife edges. The edges of car- 
bon-steel scissors are not plated and will oxidize readily. 
b. Cleansing should be by soap and water only. 
C. After cleansing and rinsing, scissors should be thoroughly dried and 
wiped with an oiled cloth. 
d. Dissecting and suture scissors should be used solely for the purpose 
for which they were made; they are not intended for cutting cotton, gauze, 
bandages, paper, or similar materials. Do not use dissecting scissors to cut 
sutures. Do not open and close scissors unnecessarily. 
e. Surgical scissors should not be boiled, but should be cold sterilized. 
O. RONGEUR FORCEPS. Rongeur forceps (bone-cutting instru- 
ments) should receive the same care as other forceps. In operation, these 
forceps cut as a result of two cutting edges meeting, edge to edge, under 
pressure. This action in itself is injurious to the edges; therefore, these 
instruments must not be compressed indiscriminately. When stored they 
should be opened, with tension of springs released. Cutting edges require 
protection from oxidation. 
lO. RETRACTORS, CANULAS, CURETTES, AND MIS- 
CELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTS. The care of retractors, canulas, 
curettes, and miscellaneous instruments is basically the same as that for 
the groups of instruments already discussed. All such instruments should 
be thoroughly washed and cleaned as quickly after use as possible. They 
should be thoroughly dried, particularly any threads, grooves, and channels. 
Instruments made of tubing need particular care to insure that the inside 
of the tube is free of all debris before they are again sterilized; otherwise 
any debris present may be baked into the tube, with the result that the 
tube may be permanently closed or restricted. A good method of drying 
parts that are inaccessible is to put the instrument into boiling water, dry 
the parts that are accessible, and then blow out, with air from a com- 
pressor, those parts that are not accessible. After drying, always oil those 
parts that are moving parts, such as threads, catches, and slides. 
11. PRECAUTIONS. 
a. Particular attention must be given in the handling, sterilization, and 
shipment of all cutting instruments. Edges should always be protected 
from oxidation and contact with other instruments, to avoid dulling and 
nicking the edges. \ 
4 b. Certain instruments, such as cataract knives, are very fragile and are 
packed in individual cartons. This type of instrument requires special 
attention. They should be kept in their individual cartons at all times, 
except when in use. They require most careful sterilizing and cleaning 
if damage to the delicate edges is to be avoided. 
e. The design of certain instruments is such that they can be readily dis- 
assembled. Tools are usually not required, and force is not necessary. 
If more than one instrument of the same manufacture is taken apart for 
cleaning at the same time, parts from one instrument should not be inter- 
changed with the other. Instruments are individually assembled and 
fitted. Most manufacturers number all parts of the same instrument 
with the same number, and instrument parts can therefore be readily 
sorted. 
12. CYSTOSCOPES. Gystoscopes are complex and delicate instru- 
ments. They are subjected to conditions that are ordinarily injurious, 
and their continuous service can be obtained only by giving particular 
attention to their care. Satisfactory use of this instrument depends on 
proper functioning of the lighting system and a clear view through the 
lens system. 
a. Lighting system. If a cystoscope fails to light properly, inspect 
all points where an interruption of the circuit can occur. These instru- 
ments must be watertight to function properly; therefore, when a lamp 
is inspected or replaced, care must be taken to see that this junction is 
sealed properly. Short or open circuits, which invariably involve extensive 
repairs, are in practically every instance the result of moisture leaking into 
the electrical system. A short circuit within the instrument usually causes 
it to become quite warm and will rapidly exhaust the battery. An open 
circuit causes a total interruption of the circuit, preventing any current 
from reaching the lamp. 
(1) To remove the lamp, first remove the cap at the distal end of the 
instrument by means of the large rubber tip that is furnished for this pur- 
pose. The tip is placed over the cap to permit the fingers to grasp the 
cap securely. Do not use forceps to remove the cap as excessive pressure 
will damage it. The lamp should then be removed; it usually can be 
shaken out of the tubular contact in which it rests, although if corroded 
it may be necessary to insert a knife blade between the contact and the 
flange of the base of the lamp. Do not use forceps to remove the lamp, 
as excessive force may dislodge or damage the contact. The lamp can be 
tested by grasping it lightly on the metal collar with a tissue forceps and 
placing the base contact of the lamp on one terminal of the battery box 
and then touching the other terminal of the battery box with the branches 
of the forceps. In making this test, the control on the battery box should 
be so set that the current will not burn out the lamp filament. (2) Before replacing the lamp or inserting a new lamp, inspect the spring 
contact within the cap; it should be free and clean. The tubular contact 
in the sheath should also be clean. These contact surfaces may be cleaned 
by lightly scraping them with a sharp instrument, although care must be 
exercised, particularly in the instance of the tubular contact, which is ex- 
tremely delicate. 
(3) Insert the lamp and apply to the threads a small amount of the 
special grease supplied with each instrument, being careful to keep the 
grease from reaching the contact surfaces of the sheath or lamp. Replace 
the cap, tightening it lightly with the rubber tip. The use of the special 
grease seals the lamp chamber against the admission of moisture and pre- 
vents resultant corrosion. Once a lamp is installed in the manner de- 
scribed, it should not be disturbed until its replacement is necessary. 
(4) If the sheath or telescope is equipped with a lamp of the threaded- 
base type, the same procedure applies; however, only one contact, at the 
base of the lamp socket, is involved. As the circuit is completed when the 
small spiral wire at the center of the base of the lamp touches the contact, 
the surface must be clean. This contact surface can readily be cleaned by 
lightly scraping it with a sharp instrument; a minimum amount of metal 
should be removed. Before installing the lamp, lift up the small spiral 
wire at the center of the base of the lamp with the point of a pin and 
apply the special grease to the threads of the lamp only. 
(5) If the instrument still fails to light, inspect the rotating contact sur- 
faces where the wires from the battefy box connect to the insrument. 
These surfaces should be clean, and the contact positive on both rings. In 
the routine care of the instrument, occasionally remove the rotary contact 
and polish the matching surfaces of both the contact and contact rings. 
If this care is neglected, the surfaces will corrode or accumulate a film of 
nonconductive material; either circumstance will interrupt the flow of 
current and cause flickering of the lamp. 
(6) The contacts in the connector that connects the cord to the contacter 
should be inspected to make sure that they are clean. 
(7) If batteries are exhausted, they should be replaced. 
(8) The cord should be inspected for breaks; if any are present, the cord 
should be replaced with another cord. 
(9) If the instrument fails to light after all the foregoing steps have been 
taken, the trouble is probably within the body of the instrument, and it 
should be returned to the depot. 
(10) The lens system should be examined for clarity by looking through 
the scope toward a source of daylight. If the field of vision is indistinct, 
the lens at the eye piece and the lens at the opposite end should be polished. 
A toothpick may be used to remove dried deposits of lubricating jelly or similar deposits; such procedure will not injure the lens. The toothpick 
may be moistened slightly with water, if necessary, but not with alcohol. 
b. Sterilization. 
(1) Dents or surface abrasions are usually the result of careless handling, 
particularly during sterilization. The instrument should never be dropped 
or slid into the sterilizing tray. A folded towel in the bottom of the tray 
will prevent damage to the instrument. Similar procedure, should be 
followed with respect to sinks, metal tables, or any surface on which the 
instrument is placed or stored. 
(2) A proper sterilizing solution should be used for cold sterilization; 
alcohol or carbolic acid should not be used for such purposes. Do not 
boil any part of a cystoscope. 
(3) After use, clean the instrument with soap and water to remove oil, 
lubricating jelly, and blood. Then disassemble it, rinse in tepid water, and 
wash all parts thoroughly with cotton dipped in tincture of green soap. 
The interior of the sheaths should be swabbed with green soap, the cleaning 
rod being tipped with cotton. Surfaces not readily accessible can be 
cleansed with a soft brush and soap, the bristles of the brush being moved 
with a scrubbing motion over the surfaces. Do not use abrasive cleansers. 
The disassembled parts of the instrument should then be thoroughly rinsed 
with tepid water and dried. 
C. Assembly. Care should be taken to prevent parts belonging to 
one instrument from being assembled with those of another similar instru- 
ment. If an interchange of parts occurs, force should never be used to 
assemble the parts. 
13. BRONCHOSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS. 
St. Care of bronchoscopic and accessory operating instruments is the 
same as that of instruments already discussed. They can be sterilized by 
boiling or autoclaving and should be cleansed with soap and water, A 
long-handled brush should be used to clean the inside of scopes, and a 
worsted, rodlike cleaning material for cleaning the inside of light carriers 
and aspirating tubes. Brass instruments do not need a protective film of 
oil, but the steel accessory instruments should be oiled to prevent corrosion. 
b. Light carriers, lamps, and cords should not be boiled; they should be 
sterilized with alcohol. 
7 Section IV 
INDIRECT BLOOD TRANSFUSION 
APPARATUS 
14. GENERAL. Indirect blood transfusion apparatus is of two types. 
One permits the transfusion of fresh whole blood by an open technique, 
the other permits the transfusion of stored whole blood by a closed system. 
Both are equally useful in different situations, but both require the same 
careful preparation and maintenance. 
15. TRANSFUSION APPARATUS FOR FRESH 
WHOLE RUOOR. 
a. In order to make use of equipment readily available in all medical 
installations, it is considered feasible to employ the expended standard 
Army and Navy package of plasma for fresh whole blood transfusions in 
all installations in the theaters of operations. After the dried plasma is 
reconstituted, the empty distilled water bottle provides a closed receptacle 
that is sterile and free from foreign material. The intravenous and air- 
way assemblies may be salvaged by immediate cleansing and may be em- 
ployed for blood transfusion. 
(1) Immediately after the distilled water is emptied out of the distilled 
water bottle of the plasma set, the double-ended needle should be removed 
from the stopper of the water bottle. The stopper must remain in place 
to assure the sterility of the bottle. 
(2) The airway assembly must be washed out well with two rinses of tap 
water and one of sterile sodium chloride, physiological solution, Item 14295. 
(3) The filter in the intravenous set should be removed and replaced with 
the stainless steel filter in a glass housing, Item 36099. 
(4) The intravenous set must be flushed out with two rinses of tap water 
and one of sterile sodium chloride, physiological solution, Item 14295. 
(5) The bleeding set, consisting of a 15-gauge needle attached to an 18- 
inch length of rubber tubing, must be thoroughly flushed out with two 
rinses of tap water and one of sterile sodium chloride, physiological solu- 
tion, Item 14295, wrapped in cloth, and autoclaved within 2 hours after 
assembling. 
(6) The intravenous set and airway assembly must be wrapped in cloth 
and autoclaved at 250° F. for 30 minutes within 2 hours after being as- 
sembled. If the bleeding set, intravenous set, and airway assembly are not 
used within 10 days after preparation, they should be rewashed and steril- 
ized before use. b. The bleeding bottle is prepared for use by transferring 50 cubic 
centimeters of 4 percent sterile solution, sodium citrate with 8-10 cubic 
centimeters of glass beads 5-6 mm in diameter, Item 14806, to the trans- 
fusion bottle (distilled water bottle). 
C« The transfusion apparatus for fresh whole blood by an open technique 
is expendable except for the stainless steel filter in a glass housing, Item 
36099, and should not be reused for transfusion therapy. The filter and 
glass housing are not expendable and should be handled as described in 
paragraph 16. 
16. TRANSFUSION APPARATUS FOR STORED 
WHOLE RLOOD. 
a. In order to maintain the sterility of blood during storage, it is essential 
that it be collected under a closed system and stored in a closed container. 
The collection of stored blood will be confined to general hospitals. 
b. The transfusion apparatus for stored whole blood consists of a donor 
set, complete, Item 36093; recipient set, complete, Item 36097; needle, 
Luer 17-19 gauge; and an expendable vacuum bottle. 
(1) Immediately after use, disassemble the do.nor set and thoroughly 
flush all parts with cold, running tap water. The donor and valve needles 
must be thoroughly cleaned. This may be accomplished by inserting 
stylet or cleaning wire through the needle to make sure the canula is 
open and free of residue. If blood has been allowed to clot in the needles, 
they should be soaked in hydrogen peroxide, solution USP, Item 12290, 
for a short time before carrying out this step. The translucent rubber 
tubing should be thoroughly washed with sterile sodium chloride, physio- 
logical solution. Item 14295, and inspected against a bright light for 
evidence of clotted blood. If clots are noted they should be removed 
by rolling the tube between the palms of the hands and then flushing with 
sterile sodium chloride, physiological solution. Cut off about )/2 inch 
of each end of the rubber tubing. The ends of the tubing in contact with 
metal lose their elasticity due to the excessive heat during autoclaving. 
Cutting off the ends of the tubing following use assures a tight, leakproof 
fitting. Before assembling the donor set, the core of the detachable valve 
screw should be inverted and two or three drops of undiluted glycerin 
USP, Item 12180, allowed to drop on the point of the core. While in the 
inverted position, the screwhead should be seated in the body of the 
valve and then loosened one-half turn. The valve must not be tightly 
seated during autoclaving or it will be damaged. The donor set should 
be wrapped in muslin and autoclaved. If not used within 10 days after 
preparation, it should be rewashed and sterilized before use. 
(2) Immediately after use, the recipient set should be disassembled and 
the parts washed thoroughly in a solution of tincture of green soap, 
followed by a rinse with freshly distilled water. The stainless steel mesh cylinder should be placed, open end up, in a glass stoppered bottle con- 
taining concentrated nitric acid and allowed to soak at room temperature 
for 24 hours. Remove the mesh cylinder from the nitric acid with forceps 
and rinse it thoroughly with several portions of freshly distilled water. 
Clean the rubber tubing and needles as already described. Reassemble 
the set, being careful that the metal cap is screwed tightly into position. 
Wrap the assembled set in muslin and autoclave. If not used within 10 
days after preparation, it should be rewashed and sterilized before use. 
(3) The needle, Luer 17-19 gauge, should be cleaned as described in 
paragraph 19a. 
(4) New rubber or tubing that has not been cleaned within 2 hours after 
use should be boiled in sodium carbonate, anhydrous ACS, Item 14260, 
for 15 minutes, rinsed thoroughly with tap water, and then prepared in 
the usual way. 
Section V 
MISCELLANEOUS SURGICAL SUPPLIES 
17. RUBBER GOODS. 
a. Rubber goods comprise gloves, bougies, catheters, tubing, and sun- 
dries. There are three principal factors in the deterioration of rubber 
goods: dilution, oxidation, and normal wear. 
Ii. Oils, fats, and greases, both mineral and vegetable with the exception 
of castor oil, cause dilution of rubber goods. The rubber absorbs these 
materials with the result that the rubber swells and becomes tacky. 
C- Excessive heat, light, and strong chemicals cause oxidation of rubber. 
d. Normal wear is not an important factor as it is usually preceded by 
dilution or oxidation of the rubber. 
e. Before sterilizing, rubber items should be thoroughly cleaned with 
soap and water. They should not be placed in contact with metal sur- 
faces of the autoclave. Copper or alloys that contain copper are very 
injurious to rubber. Gloves must be thoroughly dry and powdered with 
talc before autoclaving. 
f. Steam pressure in the autoclave should not be permitted to rise above 
15 pounds or 250° F.; the oxidation factor approximately doubles for each 
rise of 18° F. The length of time that rubber items are kept in the auto- 
clave is also a factor in the oxidation process, and this time should be 
limited to 20 minutes or to the minimum period necessary for proper 
sterilization of the items. After sterilization, the articles should be kept in 
a dry sterile container until used; wrapping the articles in sterile cloth is 
an acceptable procedure. 
10 18, GLASS SYRINGES. 
a. Proper care of glass syringes will materially increase their useful life. 
Immediately after use, the plunger and barrel should be separated and 
rinsed with cold tap water. This procedure will materially reduce the 
number of stained, jammed, and broken syringes, and is particularly neces- 
sary in the instance of a syringe that has been used for blood work. If 
it is impossible to rinse the parts of the syringe immediately, they should, 
at least, be separated and placed in a container of water. The separate 
parts should be washed and scrubbed thoroughly with warm water and 
green soap. Use a good grade of fiber scrub brush for outside surfaces and 
a regular bottle brush for the inside of the barrel. Rinse the parts in three 
changes of water, taking particular care to remove soap particles from 
ground surfaces and graduation marks. Use a brush with the first rins- 
ing. For blood work, the third rinse, at least, should be in distilled water. 
Finally, rinse the parts in either alcohol or ether and allow them to dry 
thoroughly. If, however, the parts are to be sterilized immediately, rins- 
ing them in alcohol or ether is not necessary. 
b. If syringes are rinsed immediately after use, there is little danger 
that they will become stained. When staining does occur, the stains can 
usually be removed by swabbing the affected parts in dilute acid solutions; 
however, such acid solutions should not be permitted to come in contact 
with metal parts. In all instances, swab the affected parts carefully with 
a cotton applicator dipped in the cleaning solution, and rinse the parts 
thoroughly after each swabbing. The usual stains and the solutions 
recommended to remove each are as follows: 
(1) Alkali deposits—a 10-percent solution of nitric acid. 
(2) Arsenic and iron stains—a 10-percent solution of hydrochloric acid. 
(3) Gentian violet stains—a 10-percent solution of nitric acid. 
(4) Blood stains—a 10-percent solution of nitric acid, or a solution of 
sodium citrate, or concentrated ammonia. 
(5) Gummy oil deposits—benzine, followed by scrubbing. 
C. Extreme care must be taken when an acid solution is being used on 
a syringe with metal parts. Do not permit the solution to come in contact 
with any such part, not even the lumen of the metal tip. Also, never leave 
a glass syringe immersed in strong acid or alkali solutions. Syringes with 
metal parts should never be left immersed in solutions that contain mercury 
or any of its derivatives. 
d. Syringes are readily broken in the course of sterilization. If the 
following precautions are taken, however, such breakage will be kept at 
a minimum: 
(1) After thoroughly washing and cleaning the syringe parts, match the 
serial numbers on barrels and plungers. Syringes are individually fitted 
and, therefore, the parts are not interchangeable. 
11 (2) Wrap the barrel and plunger of the syringe separately between layers 
of gauze, then wrap them again, together, in a double layer of muslin, 
and pin or tie the muslin. 
(3) Label the muslin wrapping with a soft lead pencil. 
(4) Sterilize the wrapped syringe barrel and plunger for 20 minutes under 
15 to 20 pounds pressure at 240° F., unless specific instructions to the 
contrary are provided for a particular autoclave. Efficient sterilization 
by boiling is predicated on thorough cleaning and preparation of the 
syringe. Some authorities contend that, even when every precaution is 
taken, only a small margin of safety exists if resistant spores are present. 
Autoclaving is generally accepted as the best practical method of sterilizing 
hypodermic syringes. 
e. Boiling in hard water wears down the ground surfaces of the glass and 
deposits alkali, causing syringes to leak and jam. Do not boil syringes in 
water to which sodium bicarbonate or sterilizing tablets containing this 
chemical have been added, as this chemical compound is an alkali. Any 
water will eventually erode glass, but distilled water is considered the best 
medium to use. Place the syringe parts in the sterilizer with the barrels 
on top of the plungers. This procedure will prevent the tip from coming 
in contact with the sterilizer pan, thereby eliminating the possibility of 
chipping the tip. Boil for 20 minutes; unnecessary boiling shortens the 
life of a syringe. Make certain that the syringe is completely covered by 
the water. 
f. Moist heat, as available in autoclaving, is necessary to kill germs 
rapidly. If time is not a factor, dry heat is sometimes employed. If 
syringes are sterilized in a hot-air sterilizer, the instructions supplied by 
the manufacturer should be followed. The temperature usually employed 
ranges from 340° to 360° F., and the period involved is at least 1 hour. 
19. SYRINGE NEEDLES. 
a. In the cleaning of needles, maintenance of the sharpness of points 
and open canula are important. The needle should be flushed with cold 
water immediately after use and removed from the syringe tip. Wash the 
needle thoroughly in a basin of water and green soap; insert stylet or 
cleaning wire through the needle to make sure the canula is open and free 
of residue. Insert wire through the hub end; inserting the stylet or wire 
from the point may injure or dull the cutting edge. Clean inside of hub 
with a tightly wound cotton applicator. Remove stains; Bon Ami or 
similar preparations may be used. Dried blood may be removed by rinsing 
the needle with carbon bisulphide, benzol, xylene, or carbon tetrachloride. 
Rinse with alcohol or ether. For a complete, quick drying out, compressed 
air may be used; this procedure assures a clean hub and needle canula. 
b. If needles are sterilized in an autoclave, the points should be given 
particular care. Place cotton in bottom of a test tube and drop in needle, 
12 point down; or use a special tube with a constricted neck to suspend the 
needle in the tube. Cover the mouth of the test tube with a square of 
muslin, and secure the muslin with thread or a rubber band. With a soft 
lead pencil, label the muslin with the size of the needle. Sterilize for 20 
minutes under 15 to 20 pounds pressure at 240° F., unless specific in- 
structions to the contrary are supplied for the sterilizer. 
C. If sterilization is by boiling, place the needle carefully in the sterilizer 
so that the point will not be damaged by forceful contact with the metal 
pan. This can be accomplished by grasping the flat of the hub of the 
needle with forceps and gently placing the needle in the pan, with the hub 
contacting the pan first. Needles should always be placed, not dropped, 
in the pan, and should be completely submerged. 
20. SURGICAL, NEEDLES. 
Surgical needles are preferably sterilized in hot-air sterilizers. For 
high-pressure steam sterilizers, they should be sewn into gauze and wrapped 
in muslin. After use, needles should be carefully washed with soap and 
water, rinsed and dried, and then wiped with an oiled cloth. When 
cleaning needles, be sure to keep the eyes free from debris by forcing a fine 
wire through the opening. 
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1945—628025 TM 1063