The Osseous System 327 



so prepared is soaked in warm water until air-bubbles no longer 

 rise from it to the surface, which indicates that all parts of the 

 roll have become saturated. It is then immediately applied. To 

 afford additional rigidity the ingredients may be smeared over the 

 bandage while it is being applied. Plaster of paris sets quickly, 

 but makes a very heavy dressing. A little salt added to the water 

 makes it harden still quicker, but so rapidly as to be of dis- 

 advantage. Pure silicate of soda bandages, while having the ad- 

 vantage of lightness, are impracticable, as a rule, as they take 

 several hours to become perfectly hardened. Mueller overcomes 

 this drawback by interposing small splints of wire gauze, or smear- 

 ing plaster of paris thinly in between the layers. Starch is also 

 slow to harden. Stockfleth advises the addition of a little mucilage 

 to assist the process. Another very useful immobile bandage, par- 

 ticularly for small animals, may be made by the addition of thick 

 mucilage or glue to strips of cotton. 



I consider the best preparation to consist of a mixture of resin 

 and beeswax, two parts of the former to one part of the latter. 

 This is heated together until the ingredients are dissolved. It is 

 smeared over strips of bandaging material, and the latter applied 

 while it is still warm. This makes a very light, strong dressing, 

 and it is also quick to harden. 



Where there are no pronounced prominences or angularities 

 to be included, shoemakers' leather makes an excellent support with- 

 out any need of bandages. It is cut in one piece slightly smaller 

 than the. circumference of the parts and moulded to the normal 

 shape of the leg in the same manner as felt, and allowed to dry. 

 Holes are punctured at short intervals near both margins, and. it. is 

 applied and kept in place by lacing. 



Bandages can be removed by cutting with scissors, bone-for- 

 ceps, or any of the various makes of bandage shears. Plaster of 

 piris may be removed by pouring dilute acetic acid or vinegar along 

 the line to be cut, and then cutting the cloth with a knife, layer 

 after layer. Mucilaginous bandages may be immersed in hot water, 

 leg and all. 



In general, fractured large bones need support by immobiliza- 

 tion for a period of at least four weeks, and the small bones some 

 two weeks. 



It is sometimes found necessary to muzzle dogs under treat- 



