[LITTLE DEEDS ARE LIKE LITTLE SEEDS.]

817. The Oblique Bandage

The oblique bandage is generally used for arms and legs, to retain dressings.

818. The Spiral Bandage

The Spiral Bandage is generally applied to the trunk and extremities, but is apt to fall off even when very carefully applied; therefore the recurrent bandage, which folds back again, is generally used.

819. The Recurrent Bandage

The recurrent bandage is the best kind of bandage that we can employ for general purposes. The method of putting it on the leg is as follows:--Apply the end of the bandage that is free, with the outside of it next the skin, and hold this end with the finger and thumb of the left hand, while some one supports the heel of the patient; then with the right hand pa.s.s the bandage over the piece you are holding, and keep it crossed thus, until you can place your right forefinger upon the spot where it crosses the other bandage, where it must be kept firm. Now hold the roll of the bandage in your left hand, with the palm turned upwards, and _taking care to keep that part of the bandage between your right forefinger, and the roll in your left hand, quite slack_; turn your left hand over, and bring the bandage down upon the leg; then pa.s.s the roll under the leg towards your right hand, and repeat this until the leg is bandaged up to the knee, taking care _not to drag_ the bandage at any time during the process of bandaging. When you arrive at the knee, pa.s.s the bandage round the leg in circles just below the knee, and pin it as usual.

Bandaging is very easy, and if you once see any one apply a bandage properly, and attend to these rules, there will not be any difficulty; but bear one thing in mind, without which you will never put on a bandage even decently; and that is, _never to drag_ or pull at a bandage, but make the turns while it is slack, and you have your right forefinger placed upon the point where it is to be folded down. When a limb is properly bandaged, the folds should run in a line corresponding to the shin-bone. Use, to retain dressings, and for varicose veins.

820. A Bandage for the Chest

A bandage for the chest is always placed upon the patient in a sitting posture; and it may be put on in circles, or spirally. Use, in fractures of the ribs, to retain dressings, and after severe contusions.

821. A Bandage for the Belly

A bandage for the belly is placed on the patient as directed for the chest, carrying it spirally from above downwards. Use, to compress belly after dropsy, or retain dressings.

822. Bandaging the Hand.

The hand is bandaged by crossing the bandage over the back of the hand Use, to retain dressings.

823. Different Bandages for the Head.

For the head, a bandage may be circular, or spiral, or both; in the latter case, commence by placing one circular turn just over the ears; then bring down from left to right, and round the head again, so as to alternate a spiral with a circular turn. Use, to retain dressings on the head or over the eye; but this form soon gets slack. The circular bandage is the best, crossing it over both eyes.

824. For the Foot.

Place the end just above the outer ankle, and make two circular turns, to prevent its slipping: then bring it down from the inside of the foot over the instep towards the outer part; pa.s.s it under the sole of the foot, and upwards and inward over the instep towards the inner ankle, then round the ankle and repeat again. Use, to retain dressings to the instep, heel, or ankle.

825. For the Leg and Foot

For the leg and foot, commence and proceed as directed in the preceding paragraph; then continue if up the leg as ordered in the _Recurrent Bandage_.

826. Subst.i.tutes.

As it sometimes happens that it is necessary to apply a bandage at once, and the materials are not at hand it is desirable to know how to subst.i.tute something else _that any one may apply with ease_. This can be readily done with handkerchiefs.

[THEY GROW TO FLOWERS, OR TO WEEDS.]

827. Handkerchiefs.

Any ordinary handkerchief will do; but a square of linen folded into various shapes answers better. The shapes generally required are as follows:--The triangle, the long square, the cravat, and the cord.

828. The Triangular Handkerchief

The triangular handkerchief is made by folding it from corner to corner. Use, as a bandage for the head.

_Application_.--Place the base round the head, and the short part hanging down behind, then tie the long ends over it.

829. The Long Square

The long square is made by folding the handkerchief in three. Use, as a bandage to the ribs, belly, &c. If one handkerchief is not long enough, sew two together.

830. The Cravat

The cravat is folded as usual with cravats. Use, as a bandage for the head, arms, legs, feet, neck, &c.

831. The Cord

The cord is used to compress vessels, when a knot is made in it, and placed over the vessel to be compressed. It is merely a handkerchief twisted in its diagonal.

832. Multiple Handkerchiefs.

Two or more handkerchiefs must sometimes be applied, as in a broken collar-bone, or when it is necessary to keep dressings under the arm.

The bandage is applied by knotting the opposite comers of one handkerchief together, and pa.s.sing the left arm through it, then pa.s.sing another handkerchief under the right arm, and tying it. By this means we can brace the shoulders well back, and the handkerchief will press firmly over the broken collar-bone: besides, this form of bandage does not readily slip or get slack, but it requires to be combined with the sling, in order to keep the arm steady.

833. For an Inflamed Breast

For an inflamed breast that requires support, or dressings to be kept to it, pa.s.s one corner over the shoulder, bring the body of it over the breast, and pa.s.s it upwards and backwards under the arm of that side, and tie the opposite corners together.

834. An Excellent Sling

An excellent sling is formed by placing one handkerchief around the neck, and knotting opposite corners ever the breast bone, then placing the other in triangle under the arm, to be supported with the base near to the hand; tie the ends over the handkerchief, and pin the top to the other part, after pa.s.sing it around the elbow.