THE USE OF PAPER AS A SURGICAL DRESSING AND BANDAGE

Abstract

<h3>To the Editor:</h3> —During the past six months we have been experimenting at the New York Orthopaedic Dispensary and Hospital with the use of paper as a surgical dressing, and our experiments there warrant me in making this preliminary report of its use in the hope that other surgeons may try it, that further experience may prove it to be a substitute for gauze, muslin, etc., and that its use will effect a great economy in the expense of our surgical work. Among our experiments we have used sterilized newspapers in the dressing of clean wounds, and have found them perfectly satisfactory, causing no irritation and no disturbance whatever. We have also used various forms of paper, such as those used in making towels, toilet paper, table cloths, napkins, etc., in the dressing of clean wounds, and have had no trouble whatever. We have used sterilized newspapers also in the