CHAP. I. Of the differences of Bandages.
BAndages, wherewith we use to binde, doe much differ amongst themselves. But their differences (in Galens opinion) are chief∣ly drawne from sixe things; to wit, their matter, figure, length, breadth, making, and parts whereof they consist. Now the matter of Bandages is threefold; Membranous or of skinnes, which is accommodated peculiarly to the fractured grisles of the Nose; of Woollen, proper to inflamed parts, as those which have neede of no astriction; of Linnen, as when anie thing is to be fast bound: and of Linnen cloathes, some are made of flaxe, other∣some of hempe, as Hippocrates observes. But Bandages doe thus differ amongst themselves in structure, for that some thereof consist of that matter which is suffici∣ently close and strong of it selfe, such are the membranous; others are woven, as the linnen ones. But that Linnen is to bee made choice of for this use, and judged the best, not which is new and never formerly used, but that which hath alreadie beene worne and served for other uses, that so the Bandages made thereof may be the more soft and pliable: yet must they bee of such strength, that they may not breake with stretching, and that they may straitly containe and repell the humour readie to flow downe, and so hinder it from entring the part. These, besides, must not bee hemmed nor stitched, must have no lace nor seame; for hems and seames by their hardnesse presse into, and hurt the flesh that lyes under them. Lace, whether in the midst or edges of the rowler, makes the Ligature unequall. For the Mem∣ber where it is touched with the Lace, as that which will not yeeld, is pressed more hard; but with the cloth in the middle more gently, as that which is more laxe. Furthermore, these Ligatures must bee of cleane cloth, that if occasion bee, they may bee moystened or steeped in liquour appropriate to the disease, and that they may not corrupt, or make worse that liquour by their moistening therein. Now the Bandages which are made of Linnen cloathes must be cut long-waies, and not a∣thwart, for so they shall keepe more firme and strong that which they binde, and besides, they will be alwaies alike, and not broader in one place than in another. But they thus differ in figure, for that some of them are rowled up, to which no∣thing must be sowed, for that they ought to be of a due length to binde up the mem∣ber: others are cut or divided, which truly consist of one piece, but that divided in the end (such are usually taken to bind up the breasts) or else in the midst; others are sowed together, which consist of many branches sowed together, and ending in divers heads, and representing divers figures, such are the Bandages appropriated