178 



OPERATIVE TECHXIOUE. 



they soon lose 



of adapting themselves readil}- to irregularities of surface and of being 

 very absorbent. I^lanncl bandages stretch irregularh- in use, and as 

 their elasticity hnall}- become wrinkled. Knitted 



bandages are xery elastic 

 and even after long use 

 may by proper treatment be 

 rendered almost as effective 

 as when new. 



Bandages intended for 

 fixing parts immovabU' in 

 position may be saturated 

 with dextrin and dried. The}' 

 can also l)e bought read}" 

 prepared, requiring only to be 

 thorougliK' moistened before 

 use, \\hen the turns adhere 

 strongly, forming practicall}- one mass. To i^romote absorption of 

 extravasated fluids elastic bandages are ver\- useful. Some are made 

 of elastic thread co\-ered with cotton or silk, others of pure rubber : 



the latter, on account of their durability and 

 the ease with which the\- can be cleansed, are 

 to be preferred in spite of their higher price. 

 B}- intelligent application excellent results ma}' 

 be obtained with these bandages, though care- 

 less use of them ma\' also do great harm. The 

 most important point is to apply them with equal pressure through- 

 out. A very good plan is for the opfrator first to test the effect of 

 the bandage on his own person, for example on the arm. Even 



with apparently slight 

 pressure he will soon 

 tind it unbearable. As 

 such elastic bandages 

 cannot safelv be placed 

 in unskilled hands> 

 and as continued pres- 

 sure is often desirable, 

 elastic stockings or 

 __ gaiters can be used. 



^"' -'" They may be safely 



applied b\- any groom provided they In properl}- m the first 

 instance. 



As a rule bandages should not exceed 2I to 4 inches in width 



Fh 



