DRUMS FOR STERILIZATION

DRUMS FOR STERILIZATION (of dressing materials, surgical linen, gowns, gloves, etc.), are made of nickel-plated tin according to a model produced by the German firm Lautenschläger, following a proposal by Schimmelbusch. The drum is equipped with double walls: an inner stationary wall and an outer movable wall. The inner wall has sections provided with numerous small holes, corresponding to which windows are cut in the outer wall (see illustration). With the help of a special spring, a tight fit of the outer wall to the inner wall is achieved. Before sterilization:^tthe outer wall of the drum is moved, opening the holes in the inner wall, through which steam penetrates into the drum. After sterilization is complete, the drum is left for a short time with the walls open to allow the steam to evaporate from the drum, after which, by moving the outer wall, the drum is hermetically sealed. For square-shaped autoclaves, it is better to use drums in the form of four-sided metal boxes. For economy, drums made of dense canvas are also used, or according to Braun's proposal, they are replaced with woven baskets in cloth covers. For control of sterilization, Mikulicz proposed placing a strip of filter paper, colored dark blue by the interaction of starch and a solution of potassium iodide (color reaction), on top of the material being sterilized. Under the influence of steam sterilization at t° 100° for 1 hour, the strip becomes discolored. To prevent premature opening of the drum, which could contaminate the sterilized material, it is recommended to place the drum in the autoclave and deliver it to the operating room sealed. See also Autoclave, Operating Room, Sterilization.