THE AVOIDANCE OF EXCESSIVE SUPERHEATING DURING STEAM STERILIZATION OF DRESSINGS

SUMMARY: During the steam sterilization of dressings some degree of superheating occurs. With dressings normally hydrated, that is with about 5% moisture content, the small degree of superheating which occurs is unlikely to be of consequence; but if dressings contain less than 1% of moisture before sterilization, a significant degree of superheating may occur. The use of drums is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage in regulating superheating, which occurs to the same degree whether the air is removed initially by vacuum pump or by downward displacement. The use of a high initial vacuum does not increase the risk of superheating.