The Knee is bandaged by beginning with a simple turn round the leg above the calf, then carrying the roller across the patella to the thigh above the knee: and next entwining it in a circular turn round the thigh before descending over the patella to the leg below the knee, where this is repeated until the knee is covered.
To bandage a Stump.—The flaps are first supported by two or more strips of plaster, one inch wide and ten or twelve long, carried from the under surface of the limb over the face of the stump, and a slip of wet lint and oilskin is applied to the wound. The muscles and soft parts are next confined by a bandage. This is first fixed by simple turns below the nearest joint, and brought downwards in figures of 8 round the limb till the end of the stump is reached, which is next covered in by oblique and circular turns carried alternately over the face of the stump and round the limb, as is shown in fig. 2 for bandaging the head. Or, if a double-headed roller be used, in the manner directed for the capelline bandage on page [5].
Extending a Stump.—When the soft parts fall away from the bone they may be drawn down by attaching a weight by cord and pulley, as described for extending the hip-joint (see fig. 80). The stump should be lightly bandaged and the cord fastened to its upper and under surface. The weight is very small at first, and should be increased from time to time as required.
Many-tail, or 18-tail Bandage, or bandage of Scultetus.—A roller is cut into short lengths long enough to encircle the limb and to let the ends overlap 2 or 3 inches; these are applied separately, the lowest first, the next overlapping it, and the next overlapping the second until the requisite number are applied. Sometimes the tails are attached to each other before they are applied. To do this, the tails are laid out on a table, so that the second overlaps one-third of the width of the first strip, and the third strip overlaps the second, and so on. When all the tails are arranged, a strip is laid across their middle and fastened to each tail by a stitch; but this is not a necessary part of the bandage, and it prevents single tails from being removed. This bandage is used in compound fractures and other wounds, as the soiled strips can be replaced without raising the limb to pass the roller under it.
Elastic Socks and Stockings are made to support varicose veins of the legs. They are woven of india-rubber webbing with silk or cotton. The latter are the lowest priced and often even the most comfortable to wear. The stockings should fit carefully everywhere, especially at the small of the leg, where they generally are too slack, while they cut at the upper end below the knee.
CHAPTER II.
STRAPPING.
Strapping is a method of supporting weak or swollen joints and other parts. Sheets of calico, wash-leather, or white buckskin, spread with lead or soap plaster, are prepared for this purpose. A sheet should be rubbed with a dry cloth before using, to remove adherent dust, &c. It is then cut into strips varying in width between ¾ inch and 2 inches, according to the evenness of the surface to be covered: narrow strips fit best over joints and irregular surfaces. When applied to a limb, the strips should be about one-third longer than its circumference. Each strip or strap is first warmed by holding it to a fire, or by applying its unplastered side to a can of boiling water; when hot, the strip is then drawn tightly and evenly over the part. If the surface to be strapped be irregular, it is best to dip each strip of plaster in hot water before applying it, being thus quite supple the strap fits the limb more exactly. When the limb is thickly beset with hairs, it is a good plan to shave the part where the plaster will lie before putting on the straps.
Strapping the Breast.—Strapping is put on the breast in the same way as the bandage (page [8]). The straps should be not more than 2 inches wide, and long enough to pass forward under the axilla and breast from the lower angle of the scapula on the same side as the injured breast, across the chest as far as the spine of the other scapula. The strips are then warmed and laid on alternately over the breast and across the chest, until the former is fairly supported.
Strapping has this advantage over a bandage—its circular strips do not pass round the chest completely and thereby hamper the breathing as the roller does.
To strap the Testicle.