Bandaging is both a science and an art. The proper bandage, properly applied, can aid materially in the recovery of the patient. A improperly or carelessly applied bandage can cause discomfort to the patient and may imperil his life.
Bandages are employed to hold dressings, to secure splints, to create pressure, to immobilize (make immovable) joints and in correcting deformity. Bandages should never be used directly over a wound. They should only be used over a dressing.
Various materials, such as gauze, flannel, crinoline, muslin, linen, rubber, and elastic webbing are employed in making bandages. Gauze is used most frequently because it is light, soft, thin, porous, readily adjusted, and easily applied. Flannel, being soft and elastic, may be applied smoothly and evenly, and as it absorbs moisture and maintains body heat, is very useful for certain conditions. Crinoline, rather than ordinary gauze, is used in making plaster of paris bandages, the mesh of the crinoline holding the plaster more satisfactorily than gauze. Muslin is employed in making bandages because it is strong, inexpensive, readily obtainable, and can be used more than once. For the latter reason, muslin bandages are usually employed in bandage practice. Muslin should be soaked in water to cause shrinkage, dried, and finally ironed to remove wrinkles. A large piece of this material may be easily torn into strips of the desired width. Rubber and elastic webbing are used to afford firm support to a part. The webbing is preferable to the pure rubber bandage. It permits the evaporation of moisture.
Bandage material is commonly made into either a triangular bandage, a roller bandage, or a manytailed bandage.
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