Catgut Sterilization: The Basic Principles of the Spore-Germinating Method.

This monograph comprises original investigative work on a new method of sterilization of surgical gut and a historical review of methods of sterilization of surgical gut.

The author describes a new method, known as the spore germination method. The first step is to sterilize freshly softened split and looped ribbons prior to twisting, according to the method of Kuhn. The next phase of the process concerns itself with the incubation of both anaerobes and aerobes to allow germination of all spores without the appearance of new resistant elements. After the period of cultivation, complete sterilization is then effected while the maximum number of spores are present and before new resistant spores have time to be formed. The subsequent handling of the ribbons after sterilization proceeds under simple aseptic precautions in properly equipped premises, followed by a mild after-sterilization.

The author claims that by means of this method it is possible