1.

Reuse of urinary catheters and syringes

Back then, resterilization of syringes and urinary catheters were a trend. Syringes were made of

glass and catheters were made of metal instead of the silicone we use today. Since they’re made

of hardened materials, they were heat sterilized and immersed in alcohol– a practice that would

be frowned upon today. Needles were not for single use and had to be sharpened manually.

 Single-use disposable syringes are the standard today ever since the occurrence

of HIV and blood-borne pathogens. Different reusable equipment was produced because

it’s safer and prevents cross contamination. Also, resterilizing is more costly for

hospitals.

2. Notable antiseptic: Dakin’s Solution for wounds

Dakin’s solution was used mostly during the Worlds War I. It is composed

of sodium hypochlorite and baking soda, and invented by a chemist and a surgeon. After the war,

it was widely used for bedsores and infected wounds.

 Some institutions still use this today, though others prefer proven antiseptics like

povidone iodine, etc.

3. Coca-Cola to unclog nasogastric tubes.

Coca-cola (or any carbonated soda) is a notorious unclogger for feeding tubes. The acidity in

cola is believed to help unclog the tube.

 Coke, being an acidic fluid, can damage the integrity of the NG tube. It can also

contribute to clogging by denaturing proteins in some enteral formulas. Water or

replacing the tube is recommended.

4. Antacid to pressure ulcers

A retired senior nurse recalled applying an antacid to pressure ulcer believing it would heal the

wound faster.

 It is now well known as moist wound healing. It is a practice of keeping a wound in an

optimally moist environment in order to promote faster healing. Research has shown

that moist wound healing is three to five times quicker than the healing of wounds that

are allowed to dry out.

5. Controlling foul wound odor with charcoal

Back then nurses used to dab teaspoons charcoal and wrap gauze around an infected open wound

to facilitate faster healing and to minimize the foul odor – thinking charcoal would absorb the

odor.

 Actually, some people still use activated charcoal for wounds thought the risk

of infection is high in some instances. Currently, topical metronidazole is recommended

for wounds to control odor through its action on anaerobic bacteria responsible for

producing volatile acids, which cause the odor, without the side effects of oral use.