219 
material can be spread out to dry. The drying can be accom- 
plished by spreading: out the moss on a clean lawn or on the 
ying 
artificial heat is avoided, so far as possible, since material thus 
prepared is much more brittle than material that has been air- 
dried. 
The only further treatment the moss requires before it is 
ready to be made up into dressings is sorting over. Thi 
shelceabiy done before the material has scat a oeouENY oe 
out, since the moss when dry is more or | less easy to 
andle than when moist. All foreign material i is peda pulled 
out by hand, and at the same time th ted into two 
or more grades: first class material suitable for dressinas: second 
class material suitable for bed pads, etc. This part of the work, 
indeed everything except the collection and hauling of material, 
is done . women. In Canada, moss sorting is one of the most 
popular phases of Red Cross work among the volunteer workers. 
In conclusion, just a word regarding the nature of the absorbent 
dressings which are made from the sphagnum. The simplest 
in preference to gauze, which is too light and of too open a texture 
to use in this style of dressing. This particular type of dressing 
has several disadvantages. The sphagnum has a tendency to 
slide around and to bunch up, and the dressing wets through to 
the back very quickly. Moreover, for various reasons the muslin 
is inferior to gauze or cheesecloth, such as is used in absorbent 
cotton pads, and it is objected to by surgeons 
This style of dressing has been greatly improved upon within 
the last year, and a type of pad has been devised which seems. to 
overcome all of es onic oe _ feud just mentioned. 
ese pads In making the 
pad, ra of alla ie of cheap non-absorbent cotton, the size of 
