124 



BAN1)A<;IN<;. 



Fig.. 1.63. 



promote absorption of extravasated fluids elastic bandages are very 

 useful. Some are made of elastic thread covered with cotton or 



silk, others of pure rubber ; 

 the latter, on account of 

 their durability and the 

 ease with which they can 

 be cleansed, are to be 

 preferred in spite of their 

 higher price. By intelligent 

 application excellent re- 

 sults may be obtained with 

 these bandages, though 

 careless use of them may 

 also do great harm. The 

 most important point is to 

 apply them with equal pressure throughout. A very good plan is 

 for the operator 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 find 

 it unbearable. As such elastic bandages 

 cannot safely be placed in unskilled hands, 

 and as continued pressure is often desir- 

 able, elastic stockings or gaiters can be 

 used. They may be safely applied by any 

 groom provided they fit properly in the first instance. 



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



except such as have 

 to be applied to the 

 horse's body. The 

 more slender the part 

 to be bandaged the 

 narrower must be the 

 bandage, it being par- 

 ticularly difficult to 

 apply broad bandages 

 without producing 

 creases, especially in 

 the neighbourhood of 

 joints. Before appli- 

 cation the bandage must be rolled ; one end is first folded several 

 times on itself, forming a small cylinder which serves as an axis 

 for further rolling ; the best method is shown in Fig. 163. 



Fig. 164. 



