THE CONTAMINATION OF ANESTHETIC NEEDLES

A series of 100 sterilized local anesthetic needles were examined for possible bacteriologic contamination which might occur when such needles were exposed to the atmosphere, in circumstances reasonably similar to those which could arise in general practice.

The series was divided into 2 experimental groups. Group A, consisted of 50 needles which were freely exposed to the atmosphere for 15 minutes. After this interval, 5 needles (10 per cent), were found to be contaminated by saprophytic organisms. In Group B, a similar number of needles were exposed for a similar interval, but in this group the needles were covered with a "clean" absorbent cotton roll. In this group, only 2 needles (4 per cent) were contaminated with similar organisms. No pathogenic organisms were detected in either group.