94 SUEGICAL THERAPEUTICS. 



maintained in position by means of compresses, rollers or band- 

 ages, as the case may require. 



Kollers are long bands of muslin, linen, or ticking, or broad 

 tapes, which, are used principally in dressing wounds of the ex- 

 tremities, or of regions liable to much motion. Their length and 

 width vary, according to the requirements of the case. The sur- 

 geon will do well to assure himself of the dimensions of these, 

 and to ascertain that the rollers are of ample length, with some- 

 thing to spare, which excess in length can be cut off. Deficiency 

 in the length of a roller will interfere with a perfect completion 

 of its application. If too wide, it may prove difficult to ajpply it 

 neatly, while if too narrow it may have a tendency to act like a 

 hgature, and make even pressure difficult, besides being more 

 liable to slip and become loosened. Kollers are appHed either dry 

 or moist. When moist, they become loose in dri^-ing, and their 

 action becomes insvifficient. Dry rollers ought, therefore, to be 

 preferred. 



Bands or rollers are prepared in two ways, either by being 

 rolled on one or on both of their extremities, and are therefore 

 called the single or the double roller. In a^jplying it, the extrem- 



is ui. 83.— Single and Double Roller Bandage. 



ity is first folded tightly to make a small cylinder, which is held 

 by its extremities between the thumb and index finger of the left 

 hand, resting by its width between the same fingers of the right ; 

 and while the fingers of the left hand turn the small central cylin ■ 

 der, the band is rolled upon it to its end. Kolling on both ends 

 is done in the same manner. When half of it is rolled, a pin will 

 secure it and prevent it from becoming slack until the other half 

 is made ready to be used. In rolHng the bands, slight traction 

 should be made at intervals by the thumb of the right hand, while 

 the fingers of the left keep the central cylinder steady — the object 

 of which is to have the roller firm, hard and solid. 



In large establishments, or even in jDrivate practice where 

 great numbers may be required, the use of the smaU apparatus 

 represented in Figure 85 will be found very advantageous, the 



