3. Soak and scrub hands and forearms in alcohol, 70%, for two minutes. 4. Soak in bichloride solution, 1–1000, for five minutes. 5. Put on gloves out of second bichloride solution, avoiding contact with fingers of ungloved hand. (See Fig. 78.) [Illustration: FIG. 82.—Patient draped with sterile towels, leggings, sheet and delivery pad for delivery. (From photograph taken at Johns Hopkins Hospital.) ] The patient is given a final scrubbing with green soap and sterile water and an antiseptic solution, by some one with clean hands, and is further protected by means of sterile leggings, a sterile towel across the abdomen and one covering the inner surface of each thigh, held in place by sterile clips or safety pins. The lower half of the bed is covered with a sterile sheet while a sterile delivery pad is slipped under the patient’s hips. (Fig. 82.) If the delivery is made with the patient lying on her side, the sterile dressings are so arranged as to cover all but the perineal region after she is placed in the desired position. This brings up the question of the nurse’s obligation to protect her patient from the embarrassment of unnecessary exposure at any time during labor. The field which is prepared must be uncovered temporarily, and while the patient is being draped for examination or delivery a certain amount of exposure is unavoidable; but there are many little ways in which the nurse may show her consideration for the patient in this connection and the patient always appreciates the protection. During the second stage, the preservation of asepsis, watching the progress of labor and watching for unfavorable symptoms, are of even greater importance than during the first stage. After the patient has been prepared and draped with sterile dressings, neither they nor the perineal region should be touched with anything unsterile. If for any reason it has not been possible to sterilize sheets and towels, or more are needed after the prepared supply has been exhausted, the inner surfaces of towels and sheets that have been ironed either by hand or machinery, and folded with the ironed surfaces inside without being touched, may be regarded as practically sterile.