Fig. 22.—Strapping the Ankle.
Strapping Ulcers and Joints.—Cut strips of plaster one-third longer than the circumference of the part to be strapped; if that is irregular, as the ankle or wrist, they must be narrow: commonly the width varies between ¾ inch and 1½ inch. The strips are warmed, the middle passed behind the limb, the ends crossed in front (see fig. 21) and drawn tight, but with sufficient obliquity for the margins of the strip to lie evenly. The strapping is begun as low down the limb as requisite, and continued upwards by laying on more strips, each overlapping about two-thirds of the preceding strap. When the process is finished, the ends should meet along the same line, and all the uppermost ones be on the same side.
The ankle is strapped differently. Strips are prepared about ¾ inch wide; one is carried behind the heel and its ends brought forward till they meet on the dorsum of the foot; a second, encircling the foot at the toes, secures the first; a third is again carried behind the heel above the first, and is fixed by a fourth round the foot. This is continued until the foot and ankle are firmly supported (see fig 22).
Strapping a Joint with Mercurial Ointment.
(Scott’s Bandage.)
Apparatus.—1. Mercurial ointment.
2. Diachylon plaster.
3. Lint.
4. Spirit of camphor.
5. Cotton wool.