The materials most commonly used for making bandages are either unbleached muslin or gauze. Muslin bandages are best when necessary to keep a splint in place, or make firm pressure. Gauzes are infinitely preferable when the object is only to keep a surgical dressing in position; they adapt themselves more neatly to the part, and are much cooler.

Bandages should be six to eight yards long; they vary in width from one inch to four; one inch for finger bandages, two for hands and feet, two and a half to three for head and arms, three to four for legs, spicas, etc.

The three fundamental forms of bandaging are: the spiral, reverse, and figure eight.

The figure eight principle is the one most used, and is the easiest method to learn. It is made by turning the bandage round the limb in the form of the figure 8, each figure being higher than the preceding one, but overlapping it one-third of its width. A bandage must lie smoothly without wrinkles, making an even but not too severe pressure. It must not be loose enough to slip, yet not tight enough to be painful or impede the circulation.

When finishing a bandage always put the pin on the outer side of a limb, and in all cases where it will least interfere with the patient's comfort. Safety pins should always be used.

In bandaging a limb begin at the extremity, and work upwards from left to right. Hold the bandage with the roll side upward.

To bandage a foot start the free end of the bandage at the instep, make a turn around the base of the toes, carry the bandage diagonally over the foot, across the point of the heel, and back from the other side till it coincides with the first turn. Cover this, and carry a second turn around the heel, half an inch higher than the first. Continue making alternate turns under the sole and behind the heel, crossing over the instep, until the foot is covered. Finish with a couple of circular turns around the ankle, or, if desired, continue up the leg.

The beginning of the leg bandage is placed obliquely across the leg above the ankle; a circular turn keeps it in place; then the bandage is inclined up the leg, and a turn taken around it. It is then brought downward, and another turn taken around the ankle. Successive turns are to be made, each one higher than the preceding, till the entire limb is covered.

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Figure 8 Of The Foot

Leg Bandage

To bandage a hand begin at the top of the first finger and cover it by a succession of oblique circular turns, or figures of eight, to its base. Then make a turn around the wrist to keep these from slipping, and return to the root of the second finger. Lead the bandage by one or two spirals to the top of this, then proceed down it, as upon the first finger, concluding with another turn upon the wrist. Cover each finger successively in the same way; then take a wider bandage, start at the back of the hand and wind it around the base of the fingers, carry it obliquely across the back of the hand around the wrist, back to the further side, and again around the palm. Continue these turns alternately till the hand is covered. The arm is bandaged in the same manner as the leg.

When it is only necessary to cover the forehead or back of the head the figure-of-eight is all that is required. Start the bandage over the ear, carry it across the eyebrows and around the back of the head as high as possible. Continue to wind it round thus, making each turn a little higher in the front, and lower in the back, until you have covered as much surface as required. When the whole head needs covering the capeline is better. This is put on by a double roller (join two bandages by rolling). Stand behind the patient, and, taking one roll in each hand, begin low on the forehead and carry them round the head, far down on the nape of the neck; then transfer the bandage in the left hand to the one in the right, and continue it round, while the other is folded over at right angles with it, and brought across the top of the head to the front. Here it meets the other and crosses it again, running backward and overlapping the former folds. These turns are continued until the whole head is covered, one bandage going round and round it, and the other going back and forth across it; all the folds leading from the front of the head to the back should be on the left of the middle, while those leading toward the front should be on the right. Finish with a circular turn around the head; fasten with a safety pin in front.

The tailed bandages are often found very convenient, especially for keeping poultices and the like in position.

The four tailed bandage of the head is made from a piece of muslin eight inches wide and long enough to go over the scalp and tie under the chin. It is torn from each extremity to within three or four inches of the middle. The body of the bandage is placed on the top of the head, the two posterior tails tied under the chin, and the two anterior ones around the back of the neck. If it is desired to cover the front of the head the body of the bandage is placed at this point, the two anterior tails are fastened at the back of the head, and the two posterior ones down under the jaw

Figure 8 of the Leg Forehead or Back of Head

Figure 8 Of The Arm

Bandage of the Hand

Figure 8 Of The Head

A four tailed bandage for the knee is made by splitting a strip of muslin at each end, to within two or three inches of the center. Place the body of the

The Capeline

bandage over the knee, carry the tails under the knee, cross them so that the lower ones will come above the joint, and the upper ones below; bring them around, and tie in front.

A scultetus, or many tailed, is used on the abdomen, to obtain pressure, to keep a surgical dressing or poultice in place, etc. To make it take four or five strips three inches wide and a yard and a quarter to a yard and a half long, sew them together in the center for a quarter of a yard, each one overlapping the other by two-thirds of its width. To apply, pass the bandage under the patient, so that the sewed part is under her back; fold the strips alternately over the abdomen, from below upward.

To make a sling take a square yard of muslin and cut it across diagonally; this makes two slings. When the fore-arm is injured its whole extent should be supported equally. Put it in the center of the sling; carry its outer end around the neck on the side of the injured arm, and the end between the arm and the chest around the other side, tying them at the back. The third end is brought around the elbow and fastened in front.

Slings

Four-Tailed Bandage Of The Head

Four Tailed Band age of the Knee Scultetus

If the injury is of the upper arm the sling should support the wrist only, making no pressure on the elbow. Turn the hand palm inward, fold the apex of the bandage in place, the arm just above the wrist in the center of the sling, cross the ends and tie them around the neck.

The student should practice the various bandages and slings described on some member of the family or a friend. Some little experience is required before they can be applied securely and neatly. The illustrations will help to make the matter clear.

Sling for Upper Arm

Slings For Lower And Upper Arms