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CHAPTER 5

Absorbent Cotton Products

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By Margaret Gurowitz
Jul 13, 2006

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Absorbent cotton products are some of the earliest products made by Johnson & Johnson.  Absorbent cotton was used in surgery and wound treatment. Prior to the availability of sterile cotton products, leftover cotton from the floor of the country’s cotton mills was used by surgeons to treat wounds and stop bleeding.  The products shown in the above photograph number among the first products of Johnson & Johnson, and include a variety of sterile cotton, either plain (in the blue wrapper) or infused with iodine (Iodoform Cotton) and other sterilizing agents.  

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As the pioneer in antiseptic and sterile surgical dressings in America, Johnson & Johnson constantly developed new sterile products and also served as a source of information on new approaches to surgery and patient care. 

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Gail Blackman
JANUARY 05, 2009 02:06 PM

Growing up in the 50's and 60's we were able to purchase "rolls of sterile absorbent cotton". Is this product still available in drug stores. It is still, in my opinion, the best cushioning product for wounds etc.

Thank you

Gail Blackman

Margaret
JANUARY 05, 2009 04:55 PM

Gail,

I can remember my parents having that product around the house when I was small too. Unfortunately, I believe the rolled cotton was discontinued. To check, your best bet would be to email us through the "Contact Us" link on www.jnj.com I pasted the link directly below:

https://secure-www.jnj.com/wps/wcm/jsp/contactUs.jsp

They will direct you to someone at our consumer products company who can answer your question.