BREAST  PIASTERS.  117 
as  to  interfere  somewhat  with  the  emollient  effect  of  the 
plaster. 
No.  1.  No.  2. 
o 
Of  the  two  figures,  No.  1  represents  a  pattern  which  may  be 
cut  out  of  stiff  glazed  paper  or  preferably  made  of  tinned  iron  ; 
No.  2,  a  breast  plaster  as  spread  by  the  use  of  the  pattern. 
The  diameter  of  the  plaster  is  seven  inches,  the  margin  one 
inch  ;  the  orifice  for  the  nipple  is  placed  rather  nearer  one  side 
than  the  other,  so  as  to  apply  the  larger  portion  on  the  under, 
swagging  portion  of  the  mamma  ;  the  strip  remaining  unspread 
is  designed  to  be  cut  open  on  the  dotted  lines,  No.  2  ;  by  open- 
ing or  closing  or  overlapping  the  edges,  on  applying  it  the  plas- 
ter may  be  made  smaller  or  larger  at  pleasure,  and  may  be 
adapted  to  the  convex  shape  of  the  breast  without  nicking  it  all 
around  as  is  usually  done. 
In  regard  to  the  material  for  spreading  these  plasters  upon,  I 
should  decidedly  prefer  chamois  skin  over  any  other  prepared 
skin  ;  its  softness  and  flexibility  render  it  greatly  preferable  to 
glazed  sheep  skin.  For  cerates,  thick  and  highly  glazed  mus- 
lin will  serve  a  good  purpose,  but  it  may  be  required  to  be  nick- 
ed to  adapt  the  plaster  to  the  convexity  of  the  mamma.  In 
using  a  paper  pattern  to  adjust  the  shape  of  the  plaster  it  should 
have  a  good  deal  of  paste  spread  on  its  under  surface  so  as  to 
continue  moist  till  the  operation  is  completed  ;  a  paste  of  gum 
Arabic  will  dry  too  quickly  ;  plaster  may  be  melted  in  a  ladle 
and  poured  upon  the  skin  and  spread  by  the  aid  of  a  moderate- 
