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Monsel’s Solution: The Solution to Many Tahara Problems
One of the most difficult issues facing the practical, hands-on Chevra Kadisha member involves dealing with blood.
• What bandages and tubes to remove?
• How to stop and control bleeding?
• What constitutes blood that requires saving and burial, and what does not?
This difficulty is compounded by the fact that Halacha Seforim that deal with Tahara speak in very vague terms at best. They speak of bleeding from childbirth and death by accident, which until very recently were the circumstances most often leading to the existence of blood at a Tahara. However the advances of modern medical technology have given us the capability of prolonging life through all kinds of sophisticated surgical procedures, aided by intravenal, gastrointestinal, tracheal tubes and catheters and the frequent use of ostomies. These technological advances have caused the Tahara process to become more complex than ever, with few guidelines for us to follow. There is a serious need to define the general Halachic rules that can guide us in these circumstances. The purpose of this article is to introduce and explain one very effective solution to assist us with many of the practical problems that we face: the use of Monsel’s Solution.
Monsel’s Solution (Ferric Sub-Sulfate Solution) is a coagulant that is used in medical treatment in certain instances (mainly in stopping superficial bleeding over a large area, such as the scraping of the skin in a biopsy). To be effective you must:
A. Shake very well before each use.
B. Use Monsel’s generously.
C. Never put a used or wet Q-Tip back into the bottle.
D. Use the Q-Tip brand swabs rather than other brands.
E. Fluff the cotton on the Q-Tip to maximize saturation.
Some general guidelines for use in various situations:
• To control puncture bleeding: saturate a Q-Tip with the solution and insert into the puncture, spreading the opening of the puncture with the Q-Tip, thus allowing the greatest area of raw flesh to come in contact with the solution. This will cause a thin scab to form immediately. It will stop any flow of blood. It is best to repeat this procedure two or three times, leaving a residue of solution on the surface that will be washed away during the washing or Tahara. It will not stain the skin. Care must be taken not to pull at or agitate the skin around the puncture site after this procedure or the scab that was formed can be torn, allowing further bleeding to erupt. (Should that happen, repeat the procedure.)