166 GOODYEAR ON GUM -ELASTIC, 



BANDAGES. 



Stayed compound drapery, medicated drapery, and perforated 

 felt, and fibrous fabrics, which may be found in the piece at the 

 shops, are highly approved for bandages in many cases. Perfo- 

 rated gum-elastic knit goods may also be used for the same 

 purpose. Perforated knit goods are sometimes preferred for 

 bandages, because they may be stitched to fit the limbs, and pos- 

 sess greater strength than drapery. A piece of any size to fit the 

 limb, being cut from the elastic knit goods, perforated fibrous 

 fabric, or felt, will commonly be found the cheapest and best 

 bandage for lame, rheumatic, or sprained limbs, or to wear 

 around the body. The great objection to India rubber bandages 

 has heretofore been excessive warmth. This is obviated in the 

 perforated goods. 



When the design is to sweat or foment the limb, or when 

 these bandages are to be used in the army, navy, or elsewhere, 

 for the stoppage of hemorrhage, medicated drapery, not perfora- 

 ted, will be found cheapest and best. These bandages are highly 

 approved for the above purposes, and may be recommended as 

 a truly useful article ; but in chronic affections, or gout, as has 

 been remarked, in the description of medicated drapery, these 

 fabrics produce no good effect. 



HOSPITAL AIR BEBS. 



This name is applied to these beds, because they are par- 

 ticularly adapted for the comfort of invalids ; at the same time 

 the opinion is entertained that they are better calculated for 

 common use, and particularly for ships' use, than any other 

 kind of air bed. They are made of gum-elastic, vellum, or 

 knit goods, in separate cylinders, or what might equally well 

 be termed life-preservers, because, when trimmed for the pur- 



