other.  Bandages should be applied evenly, firmly, but not   too   tightly. Excessive   pressure   may   cause interference   with   the   circulation   and   may   lead   to disastrous consequences. In bandaging an extremity, it is advisable to leave the fingers or toes exposed so the circulation of these parts may be readily observed. It is likewise  safer  to  apply  a  large  number  of  turns  of  a bandage,   rather   than   to   depend   upon   a   few   turns applied too firmly to secure a compress. In applying a wet bandage, or one that may become wet,  you  must  allow  for  shrinkage.    The  turns  of  a bandage  should  completely  cover  the  skin,  as  any uncovered areas of skin may become pinched between the turns, with resulting discomfort.  In bandaging any extremity, it is advisable to include the whole member (arm  or  leg,  excepting  the  fingers  or  toes)  so  that uniform pressure may be maintained throughout.  It is also  desirable  in  bandaging  a  limb  that  the  part  is placed in the position it will occupy when the dressing is finally completed, as variations in the flexion and extension of the part will cause changes in the pressure of certain parts of the bandage. The  initial  turns  of  a  bandage  on  an  extremity (including  spica  bandages  of  the  hip  and  shoulder) should be applied securely, and, when possible, around the part of the limb that has the smallest circumference. Thus, in bandaging the arm or hand, the initial turns are usually applied around the wrist, and in bandaging the leg  or  foot,  the  initial  turns  are  applied  immediately above the ankle. The final turns of a completed bandage are usually secured  in  the  same  manner  as  the  initial  turns,  by employing two or more overlying circular turns.   As both edges of the final circular turns are exposed, they should  be  folded  under  to  present  a  neat,  cufflike appearance. The   terminal   end   of   the   completed bandage is turned under and secured to the final turns by either a safety pin or adhesive tape.  When these are not  available,  the  end  of  the  bandage  may  be  split lengthwise  for  several  inches,  and  the  two  resulting tails may be secured around the part by tying. ROLLER BANDAGE FOR ELBOW.—A spica or  figure-eight  type  of  bandage  is  used  around  the elbow joint to retain a compress in the elbow region and to allow a certain amount of movement.   Flex the elbow slightly (if you can do so without causing further pain or injury), or anchor a 2- or 3-inch bandage above the elbow and encircle the forearm below the elbow with  a  circular  turn.    Continue  the  bandage  upward across the hollow of the elbow to the starting point. Make another circular turn around the upper arm, carry it downward, repeating the figure-eight procedure, and gradually ascend the arm.  Overlap each previous turn about two-thirds of the width of the bandage.   Secure the bandage with two circular turns above the elbow, and tie.   To secure a dressing on the tip of the elbow, reverse the procedure and cross the bandage in the back (fig. 3–4). 3-4 Figure 3–2.—Roller bandages. Figure 3–3.—Applying a roller bandage.

ROLLER   BANDAGE   FOR   HAND   AND WRIST.—For   the   hand   and   wrist,   a   figure-eight bandage is ideal.  Anchor the dressing, whether it is on the hand or wrist, with several turns of a 2- or 3-inch bandage.     If  on  the  hand,  anchor  the  dressing  with several   turns   and   continue   the   bandage   diagonally upward and around the wrist and back over the palm. Make   as   many   turns   as   necessary   to   secure   the compress properly (fig. 3–5). ROLLER  BANDAGE   FOR   ANKLE   AND FOOT.—The  figure-eight  bandage  is  also  used  for dressings  of  the  ankle,  as  well  as  for  supporting  a sprain.   While keeping the foot at a right angle, start a 3-inch bandage around the instep for several turns to anchor it.   Carry the bandage upward over the instep and around behind the ankle, forward, and again across the instep and down under the arch, thus completing one   figure-eight. Continue   the   figure-eight   turns, overlapping  one-third  to  one-half  the  width  of  the bandage and with an occasional turn around the ankle, until the compress is secured or until adequate support is obtained (fig. 3–6). ROLLER BANDAGE FOR HEEL.—The heel is one of the most difficult parts of the body to bandage. Place the free end of the bandage on the outer part of the ankle and bring the bandage under the foot and up. Then  carry  the  bandage  over  the  instep,  around  the heel,  and  back  over  the  instep  to  the  starting  point. Overlap the lower border of the first loop around the heel and repeat the turn, overlapping the upper border of the loop around the heel.   Continue this procedure until  the  desired  number  of  turns  is  obtained,  and secure  with  several  turns  around  the  lower  leg  (fig. 3–7). R O L L E R   B A N D A G E   F O R   A R M   A N D LEG.—The  spiral  reverse  bandage  must  be  used  to cover wounds of the forearms and lower extremities;