Antiseptics cannot be as freely used upon the hands of the operator as
upon the skin of the patient as the repeated application of the
stronger antiseptics cause a scaling of the epithelial cells and
finally the development of an irritated state which prevents cleansing
of the hands sufficiently to permit operating.
It is well to scrub the hands with the soap solution and then to
follow with the use of the seventy per cent alcohol. The alcohol
solution is the least irritating of effective antiseptics and it is
the solution in which needles and leather washers should be kept, so
that they are at all times ready for use.