124 The Care of Animals 



ening the room may be necessary; also, to prevent 

 annoyance from flies. 



BLANKETS, BANDAGES, SLINGS 



The sick animal can be protected against the cold 

 or from drafts by covering with woollen blankets, the 

 weight of the blanket being carefnlly adapted to the 

 temperature. To protect the extremities, light woollen 

 bandages may be applied, after rubbing the parts lightly 

 to stimulate the circulation. 



Bandages are applied for protection, warmth, sup- 

 port and for medicinal purposes. A "sweating" ban- 

 dage is applied by first putting on a cotton bandage 

 thoroughly wet with cold water and covering this with 

 oiled silk or other impervious material to prevent evap- 

 oration. Bandages for protection or support are made 

 from strips of woollen cloth, about three inches wide 

 and six feet long. They are first rolled into a neat 

 roll. In applying them, one begins at the lower or 

 smaller portion of the part to be bandaged, and winds 

 upward (Fig. 27). The adjusting of bandages so that 

 they are smooth and remain in position without in- 

 terfering with the circulation requires considerable 

 skill. Woven bandages, which possess considerable 

 elasticity, are more satisfactory^ than those made of 

 ordinary woollen cloth. 



Medicinal substances are often applied to a part by 

 saturating the bandage; but care must be taken in ap- 

 plying liniments or other irritating substances in this 

 way, as they may blister severely. 



