184 OPERATIVE TECHNIQUE. 



or some soft material is thickly applied and is retained in position with 

 a soft bandage. Instead of wadding, soft flannel bandages can be 

 employed ; these perhaps fit better and are preferable. After thus 

 filling up all irregularities of contour and bringing the dressing to a 

 level surface, the permanent bandage, impregnated with some harden- 

 ing material, is applied. 



A common error is to apply the dressing to the fractured point 

 alone. It is, however, absolutely necessary to extend it upwards 

 beyond the next joint and downwards as far as the hoof or claw. Any 

 weight thrown on the limb is thus transferred to the bandage, which 

 acts somewhat like a cylindrical crutch, the broken bone being relieved 

 of pressure and preserved from any movement likely to prevent 

 union. 



In applying s^arc/i bandages the parts are padded as described, and 

 cardboard splints, rendered pliable by immersion in hot water, are 

 applied. These are fixed in position with bandages completely 

 saturated with starch. Some operators prefer to omit the cardboard 

 splints. The gravest disadvantage, however, of this dressing consists 

 in the fact that it requires twenty-four hours to become thoroughly 

 hard. Starch may advantageously be replaced by ordinary glue, 

 prepared as for carpenters' use. Dextrin bandages are applied like 

 starch bandages but are somewhat dearer. The hardening mixture is 

 usually composed of: Dextrin 100 parts, spirit of camphor 60 parts, 

 water 500 parts. 



Glue bandages are sometimes used, but harden rather slowly. 

 Bandages or strips of linen are smeared on one side with melted glue, 

 dried, and rolled up with the dressed side outwards ; they are immersed 

 in hot water just before application. Another method consists in 

 thoroughly saturating ordinary bandages in hot thin glue immediately 

 before use. 



Pitch bandages are prepared by drawing long strips of linen through 

 fluid pitch and hanging them up to cool. In use comparatively short 

 lengths are applied at one time as each must be softened and made 

 adhesive by warming. They are extremely unpleasant to handle. 



Water glass is utilized for permanent dressings by painting an 

 ordinary bandage with a solution of water glass as each turn is applied, 

 or a very loosely rolled bandage may be saturated with the fluid before 

 use. This dressing hardens more quickly than starch, but not so 

 rapidly as plaster or tripolith. It is, however, lighter and more elastic 

 than plaster. Water glass solution, when mixed with chalk, magnesite, 

 Portland cement, etc., produces a stronger dressing, which also 

 hardens more rapidly. 



