594 



ACCIDEXTS AFTEB PARTUPJTIOX. 



Bandages or Trusses. — To dispense with the inconveniences of the 

 pessary and suture, the bandage or truss has been proposed and exten- 

 sively employed ; and in the great majority of cases of uterine inversion, 

 it should be adopted in preference to the other methods of retention. 



The truss or bandage may be composed of cords, surcingles, leather, 

 canvas, etc., which are so arranged and disposed as to make pressure 

 upon the sides of the vulva, and, by keeping it closed, prevent the ex- 

 trusion of the uterus without interfering with defecation or micturition. 



There are several kinds of truss in use, and these vary somewhat in 

 their details, though in principle they are the same. Some of them are 

 fixed around the shoulders and neck, others round the chest only, and 

 others, again, round both regions — most frequently to a collar or surcingle. 

 Allusion will be made to those which are recognised as most valuable. 



Fig. 215. 

 Delwart's Truss applied. 



Two of the most useful and readily-made trusses are composed of 

 light rope or thick cord — something like a clothes-line. One of these 

 is termed " Delwart's Truss," and is formed by cords united by a loop 

 in their middle, in such a manner that an oval space (a, Fig. 214) 

 sufficient to admit the vulva, and compress it laterally, is formed — the 

 inferior commissure being left free, to allow the escape of urine, and 

 uterine discharges, should there be any. The two portions of one of 

 the cords {b b) passing over the back, are secured to a collar or band 

 round the neck or chest ; while those of the other cord (c c) pass between 

 the thighs, and are tied to the lower part of the collar or surcingle, in 

 the manner depicted in Fig. 215. The loop may be wrapped in tow or 

 cloth, to prevent chafing to the parts under the tail. 



Another rope truss, described by Eenault,^ is perhaps more simple, 

 yet quite as, if not more, effective than the preceding. This is com- 

 ^ Maison Rustique du XIX. Siecle, vol. ii., p. 286. 



