Paraffin, two ounces.
White vaseline, eight ounces.
Melt together and sterilize.
This second paraffin compound is advisable when the operator is
anxious to secure a plugging action with a mixture which will always
be fairly soft, and which is less likely to be absorbed than plain
sterilized white vaseline.
Vaseline.
The third compound is the sterilized white vaseline. It is probable
that this agent is frequently absorbed in a comparatively short time
but it has the valuable property of diffusing freely through the
tissues so that it produces a more extensive reaction and when it is
used in connection with the harder mixtures the operator may be more
certain of securing an occlusive inflammation of the sac of the hernia
and the more extensive production of connective tissues so that the
parts separated to make way for the passage of the hernial sac are
more certainly bound together.
None of these mixtures are hard. If a portion of the mixture first
described is secured under the arm for a half hour or held in the
mouth for that length of time and it is raised to body temperature it
will be found that it is comparatively soft. It is not a liquid and it
is not likely to be absorbed, yet it is not a hard waxy mass.
The great danger of the untrained operator is to inject too much at
one point and should the operator do this and get it in the canal it
will make a lump at one point and press unnecessarily upon the tissues
and in time will be displaced and will drag involved tissues with it,
producing discomfort by the distortion.