The treatment of filarial elephantiasis of the leg by bandaging

Abstract

1. 1. Prolonged firm bandaging effects a gradual removal of the lymphoedema in filarial elephantiasis of the leg; the patient gets prompt symptomatic relief from his discomfort and recurrent attacks of lymphangitis cease. 2. 2. Two outpatient methods of bandaging are described: the smaller legs are treated with the bandage boot—a crepe bandage applied over towelling and with the turns of the bandage glued together with dextrin; the larger legs are bandaged with burlap bundages on which a lacing is sewed: tightening the lacing gathers the slack of the bandage into a tuck and firm compression is made. 3. 3. After the leg is reduced by bandaging, a legging is fitted. 4. 4. Bed patients are treated by suspending the affected limb on a trapeze bar hanging from an overhead frame. 5. 5. The ability to control the swelling of the leg opens new possibilities in the operative treatment. 6. 6. This palliative method of treatment is very popular with patients and enables the collection of a large group for clinical observation.