Tincture of iodin has by reason of its convenience and efficiency largely superseded other antiseptics for skin sterlization preparatory to surgical operations. The ordinary method is to paint the skin with a small gauze mop held in forceps. These mops are usually thrown away.
Long ago it occurred to me that the waste was greater than the use, and the saving of the mops was begun. The greatly increased cost of iodin has lately emphasized the need of conservation.
In collaboration with Sergeant Brown under the direction of Major Staniford in the Camp Lewis laboratory, we have worked out a practical method of conservation which we have now been using for several months.
The iodin mops are dropped into a conveniently placed dish in the surgery and are then saved in large glass jars. When they have accumulated in a sufficient quantity they are taken to the laboratory and the