Joseph immediately frowned. "Your surgical instruments need to be replaced. I'll have Namur Royal Ironworks custom-make a batch of stainless-steel instruments for you. You can send an assistant to confirm the specifications."
He knew that rust was the "ace Grim Reaper" on the operating table.
Rust itself was porous, and its crevices accumulated large amounts of bacteria and necrotic tissue. Even with disinfectant, contaminants within the rust layer were difficult to wash away completely. Moreover, tiny particles easily flaked off rusted surfaces; if they remained in a wound, the powerful irritation of iron oxides could cause swelling and inflammation, even ulceration.
Although the Royal Ironworks' mass-production technology for stainless steel was not yet mature, producing small quantities in the laboratory posed no problem at all.
Bodlock had heard too many new terms today and was already somewhat numb. "Your Highness, the stainless steel you mentioned is?"
"A type of steel with an exceptionally smooth surface that will not develop any rust. Its strength is also far greater than that of the surgical instruments you currently use. That means that, for the same performance, stainless steel can be made very light."
Bodlock hurriedly wrote it down, looking conflicted. "If it is truly as you say, I think I should make a trip to the Royal Ironworks. But distinguishing blood types seems even more important..."
Joseph thought for a moment. "You should go to Namur yourself. Besides obstetric instruments, order a batch of stainless-steel scalpels and new types of suture needles, to be promoted later as standard surgical equipment. Taking the train through Luxembourg to Namur now takes only a day and a half." As it neared two in the morning, Joseph raised the final topic. "As for surgical anesthesia, what methods are currently available?" "No sensation?" the doctor asked in confusion.