Printed Bandage

This is a triangle-shaped cream-colored cotton bandage. Made for The St. John Ambulance Association, this bandage is printed with illustrations of how it should be used. It is similar to the Vernaid Bandage and bandages printed by Johnson & Johnson. Triangular shaped bandages like these became popular during the Franco-Prussian War because they could be used to help with such a wide variety of injuries. The German Surgeon General at this time, Johann Friedrich August von Esmarch, had triangle-shaped bandages made for the battlefield with depictions of how they could be used printed directly on them to try and provide better care for wounded soldiers. The efficacy of this design led to its continued production, including by companies like Johnson & Johnson and Vernaid.