Bandaging has been a therapeutic option used by those dealing with disease treatment and prevention since ancient times. Illustrations have revealed that the Greeks and Egyptians used leaves believed to have healing powers to cover wounds. They also bound body parts with bandages and swathes. Some of the techniques used then are still applied today.
Until the middle of the last century, there was a limited selection of bandaging products and the efficacy of bandaging was low. Linen was the main component of bandaging products. When Victor von Bruns developed a technique to remove the wax from cotton fibres around 1870, cotton suddenly became an ideal moisture-absorbing bandaging material. As a result, linen was rapidly replaced by cotton as the basic component of bandaging. The discovery of micro-organisms that cause disease and antiseptics during the second half of the nineteenth century, represented a milestone in the field of wound care and the art of wound dressing.
Nowadays, the bandaging industry offers a wide range of bandaging products for highly specific applications. New products are continually being developed and are increasingly replacing traditional bandaging products. In particular, the development of synthetic and semi-synthetic fibres and improved processing of natural components such as cotton and linen have made it possible to create a tailored dressing for any injury.
This program describes wound care and bandaging techniques. The theoretical background will be limited to information necessary in understanding how and why bandages are used. It is developed for a wide audience – general practitioners, specialist doctors, sports doctors, nurses, patient carers, physiotherapists, casting and bandaging practitioners, GP assistants and those in training for any of these roles. This program will provide you with information about the most commonly used bandages seen in daily practice.