[Microbiological verification of the cleanliness of the hands in surgery (author's transl)]

A technique for sampling organisms on the hands, the so-called "disc method" was tested in three surgical departments, in parallel with the classical method of direct finger print on a gel medium. The respective value of 6 products for washing the hands was assessed in order to demonstrate the possibilities offered by the technique proposed, which is truly quantitative. In particular, it was shown, "in the field", that three products had a very valuable action (Chlorhexidine, Hexachlorophene and a quarternary ammonium salt), but simple washing with Marseille soap followed by rincing with alcohol gave good results, limited only by the absence of any persistent bactericidal action.