only such bandages can keep the dressing flat and
even. Make two or three circular turns around the
lower and smaller part of the limb to anchor the
bandage and start upward, going around making the
reverse laps on each turning, overlapping about
one-third to one-half the width of the previous turn.
Continue as long as each turn lies flat. Continue the
spiral and secure the end when completed (fig. 3–8).
FOUR-TAILED BANDAGE.—A piece of roller
bandage may be used to make a four-tailed bandage.
The four-tailed bandage is good for bandaging any
protruding part of the body because the center portion
of the bandage forms a smoothly fitting pocket when
the tails are crossed over. This type of bandage is
created by splitting the cloth from each end, leaving as
large a center area as necessary. Figure 3–9A shows a
bandage of this kind. The four-tailed bandage is often
used to hold a compress on the chin, as shown in figure
3–9B, or on the nose, as shown in figure 3–9C.
BARTON BANDAGE.—The Barton bandage is
frequently used for fractures of the lower jaw and to
retain compresses to the chin. As in the progressive
steps illustrated in figure 3–10, the initial end of the
roller bandage is applied to the head, just behind the
right mastoid process. The bandage is then carried
under the bony prominence at the back of the head,
upward and forward back of the left ear, obliquely
across the top of the head. Next bring the bandage
downward in front of the right ear. Pass the bandage
obliquely across the top of the head, crossing the first
turn in the midline of the head, and then backward and
downward to the point of origin behind the right
mastoid. Now carry the bandage around the back of the
head under the left ear, around the front of the chin, and
under the right ear to the point of origin.
This
procedure is repeated several times, each turn exactly
overlaying the preceding turn. Secure the bandage
with a pin or strip of adhesive tape at the crossing on
top of the head.
Triangular Bandage
Triangular bandages are usually made of muslin.
They are made by cutting a 36- to 40-inch square of a
piece of cloth and then cutting the square diagonally,
thus making two triangular bandages (in sterile packs
on the Navy’s medical stock list). A smaller bandage
3-6
Figure 3–8.—Roller bandage for the arm or leg.
Figure 3–9.—Four-tailed bandages: A. Four-tailed bandage;
B. Four-tailed bandage applied to chin; C. Four-tailed
bandage applied to nose.
Figure 3–10.—Barton bandage.
