CHAP. VII. Of Boulsters or Compresses.
BOulsters have a double use,* 1.1 the first is to fill up the cavities and those parts which are not of an equal thickness to their end. We have examples of cavities in the Arm-pits, Clavicles, Hams and Groins; and of parts which grow small towards their ends, in the arms towards the wrists, in the legs towards the feet, in the thighs towards the knees. Therefore you must fill these parts with Boulsters and Linnen cloths, that so they may be all of one bigness to their ends.
The second use of Boulsters,* 1.2 is to defend and preserve the first two or three Rowlers or Under-binders, the which we said before must be applyed immediately to the fractured part. Boulsters, according to this twofold use, differ amongst themselves, for that when they are used in the first mentioned kind, they must be applyed athwart; but when in the latter, long-wayes or downright.
You may also use Boulsters,* 1.3 lest the too strait binding of the Ligatures cause pain and trouble to the new-set bones. A three or four times doubled cloth will serve for the thickness of your Boulsters, but the length and breadth must be more or less, according to the condition of the parts and disease for which they must be applyed.