CHAPTER XIII. 



BANDAGING AND DRESSING. 



Since the introduction of antiseptic wound treatment dressings play 

 a much more important part than formerl}', when open wound treat- 

 ment was the usual custom. The}' not only shield the wound from 

 infection and absorb wound secretions but favour healing b}- primary 

 intention, and retain soft parts in contact very much as callus 

 formation fixes the broken ends of bones. Dressings are also useful to 

 retain given parts in predetermined positions and to exercise pressure. 

 Unfortunately, in veterinary surgical treatment, dressings cannot always 

 be made secure owing to the animal's restlessness and the mobility of 

 its skin, while the dangerous results which may follow displacement of 

 or pressure by dressings are often so considerable as to deter practi- 

 tioners from their use altogether. 



The best materials for dressings are gauze or muslin, jute, and 

 absorbent cotton wool, supplemented when necessary by the use of the 

 cheaper wood wool, prepared peat, oakum, etc. Uncleansed tow% 

 which was formerly much used in veterinarv surgery, should be 

 absolutely discarded except as a padding for splints, etc. The special 

 merits of each material will be considered later. Compresses may be 

 of linen, cotton, flannel, etc. To cause them to fit properly without 

 creasing they must often be slit at the edges. Dressings and com- 

 presses are secured in position in various ways, the commonest being 

 by the use of bandages. These were formerly of linen or flannel, but for 

 surgical purposes nothing surpasses calico, tarlatan, or cotton bandages 

 which can either be cut of suitable size and length from a large piece 

 of stuff or, better still, bought ready for application from the surgical 

 apparatus dealers. In addition to cheapness they have the advantage 



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