The protective qualities of the gauze face mask: experimental studies

The use of the face mask by surgeons and their assistants to protect clean operative fields which they otherwise would spray with their own mouth organisms at every cough or sneeze is an old and well established procedure. The utilization of the face mask to protect the wearer from droplet infection in the presence of those ill with acute infectious diseases is likewise now a well established custom owing in large part to the careful studies at the Durand Hospital in Chicago.