Surgical uses other than haemostatic of the strong elastic bandage / by Henry A. Martin.

  • Martin, Henry A. (Henry Austin), 1824-1884.
Date:
1878
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Surgical uses other than haemostatic of the strong elastic bandage / by Henry A. Martin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    I hope that the following papers may answer intelligibly the requirements of the profession. If any point seems obscure to any of my readers, or information is desired on any point not treated in it, I shall be most happy to clear up the obscurity or afford the desired information, if in my power, in answer to a request to that effect. Treatment of Ulcers of the Leg by the Strong Elastic Bandage.— For over twenty years I have, with unvarying success, treated all forms of ulcer of the leg by the application of a bandage of what is technically known as “pure rubber.” The length of this bandage is ten and a half feet, width three inches, and thickness of No. twenty-one of “ Stubs’ wire gauge.” Into one end, two or three inches of strong linen cloth is inserted, and to this is strong- ly sewed a stout double tape eighteen inches long. It is im- portant that the edges of the bandage should be perfectly even. If there is the slightest notch in them, the bandage will be very apt to tear at that point, and become useless. If, however, it be properly cut, it will bear almost any amount of continued traction. This even cutting of the'bandage can only be done properly by machinery. When I began to experiment in this method of treatment I attempted to cut the bandages from the ■ sheet rubber with strong sharp shears, but I found it impossible ■ to cut them with sufficient accuracy. All my bandages are now, with the exception of attaching the tapes, made at the India rub- ; ber factory in my neighborhood. It is astonishing how long a 1 properly made bandage will wear. Many of my patients are wearing them every day, and have done so for two, three, even four years, and I have cured several successive poor patients’ t ulcers with a single bandage which is still perfectly serviceable. To insure this durability the material must be the best Para rubber, prepared with the minimum of sulphur and heat needed! to effect that “curing” of the gum, without which it would very soon deteriorate and become worthless. The dimensions given are those which I have found most generally applicable. If a leg is very long and large, an addition of two or three feet in ; length, and of half an inch in width, may be desirable. In a few l>ad case of indolent hard-edged ulcer, I should certainly practise this method pari,,assn with my own, i. e., tight application of bandage for a few minutes each day, and gentle continued pressure for the rest of the twenty-four hours.