In beginning this bandage, it is necessary to keep the first circle low down, close to the brows in front, and below the occipital protuberance behind, or the cap will not fit firmly over the skull.
A Shawl Cap is readily improvised with a silk or cambric handkerchief folded diagonally into a triangle; the base of the triangle is then carried over the brow, the apex let fall behind the occiput, where the ends cross, and catching in the apex, come round to the front to be tied on the forehead.
Fig. 5.—Shawl Cap.
The Four-tail Bandage.—Instead of applying the handkerchief in the manner just described, it may be split from each end to within six inches of the middle, and so converted into a broad four-tail bandage; the middle is laid on the top of the head, the hinder ends tied under the chin, and the forward ones behind the nape of the neck (see fig. 6). Or a piece of calico, 1½ yards long and 4 or 6 inches wide, is split from each end 3 inches short of the centre—one pair of tails being rather wider than the other. If used on the face, the middle is put against the point of the chin, the two narrow tails are carried backwards to the nape, crossed, and pinned together on the forehead above the brows. The two broader tails are carried upwards in front of the ears, where they turn round the two narrow tails, to be either tied or pinned at the vertex. Four-tail bandages are used elsewhere, as in the axilla, to keep poultices in place, &c.
Fig. 6.—Four-tail Bandage.
To retain Ice Bladders on the Head.—This is done by folding a thin napkin over the bladder, which is then laid against the head or part to be kept cool, and the ends of the napkin are pinned tightly down to the pillow at each side. In this way the bag cannot slip, and its weight is at the same time prevented from pressing on the head.
To compress the Jugular Vein after bleeding.—After venæsection of the external jugular vein it is requisite to keep a compress of lint on the wound. This is done by fastening the bandage on the neck with two simple turns, then carrying it in a figure of 8 round the neck, over the compress and under the axilla of the opposite side, then round the neck again; if the figure of 8 is passed pretty firmly, sufficient pressure is made in this way without interfering with the circulation through the vessels, and the turns round the neck of course must not be tight.