CHAP. I. Of the differences of Bandages.
BAndages, wherewith we use to binde, do much differ amongst themselves: But their differences (in Galens opinion) are chiefly drawn from six things; to wit, their matter, figure, length, breadth, making, and parts whereof they consist. Now the matter of Bandages is threefold; Membranous or of skins, which is accommoda∣ted peculiarly to the fractured grisles of the Nose; of Woollen, proper to inflamed parts, as those which have need of no astriction; of Linnen, as when any thing is to be fast bound; and of Linnen cloaths, some are made of flax, other some of hemp, as Hippocrates observes. But Ban∣dages do thus differ amongst themselves in structure, for that some thereof consist of that matter which is sufficiently close and strong of it self, such are the membranous; others are woven, as the linnen ones. But that Linnen is to be made choice of for this use, and judged the best, not which is new & never formerly used, but that which hath already been worn, and served for other uses; that so the Bandages made thereof, may be the more soft and pliable: yet must they be of such strength, that they may not break with stretching, and that they may straitly contain and repell the humor ready to flow down, and so hinder it from entring the part. These, besides, must not be hemmed nor stitched, must have no lace nor seam; for hems and seams by their hardness press into, and hurt the flesh that lies under them. Lace, whether in the midst or edges of the rowler, makes the Ligature unequal. For the Member where it is touched with the lace, as that which will not yield, is pressed more hard; but with the cloth in the middle more gently, as that which is more lax. Furthermore, these Ligatures must be of clean cloth, that if occasion be, they may be moistened or steeped in liquor appropriate to the disease, and that they may not corrupt, or make worse that liquor by their moistening therein. Now the Bandages which are made of Linnen clothes must be cut long-wayes, and not athwart, for so they shall keep more firm and strong that which they bind, and besides, they will be alwayes alike, and not broader in one place then in another: But they thus differ in figure, for that some of them are rolled up, to which nothing must be sowed, for that they ought to be of a due length to bind up the member: others are cut or divided, which truely consist of one piece, but that divided in the end (such are usually taken to binde 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 ap∣propriated to the head. But they thus differ in length, for that some of them are shorter, others longer: so in like sort for breadth; for some are broader, others narrower. Yet we cannot cer∣tainly define nor set down, neither the length nor breadth of Rowlers, for that they must be vari∣ous, according to the different length and thickness of the members or parts. Generally they ought both in length and breadth to fit the parts, whereunto they are used. For these parts re∣quire a binding different each from other, the head, the neck, shoulders, arms, breasts, groins, testicles, fundament, hips, thighs, legs, feet and toes. For the parts of Bandages, we tearm one part their body, another their heads. By the body we mean their due length and breadth; but their ends, whether they run long-wayes or a-cross, we according to Galen, tearm them their heads.