2011.0155

Reel of zinc oxide plaster B.P.C. 1 inch x 5 yards flesh colour, Taylor's brand. 1920s-1960s

Inscription

Taylor's/ BRAND/ ZINC OXIDE PLASTER B.P.C./ EDWARD TAYLOR LTD/ MONTON ECCLES MANCHESTER/ Made in England: SELF ADHESIVE/ APPLY TO CLEAN DRY SKIN/ 5 YARDS FLESH

Production date

1920-1969

Production organisations

EDWARD TAYLOR LTD

Labels

Sticky zinc oxide plasters were used to treat skin wounds. They had a number of benefits compared to sutures or clips, which relied on the tension of a few tiny points of the skin. Instead, the plaster could be used in sufficient length to take on a broader grip of the skin, pulling the skin and underlying tissues firmly to compress together. The plasters were much easier to apply, caused much less trauma at the time of application with no stitch marks remaining after healing, and were much less painful for the patient. However, the plasters were less easy to sterilise.

Zinc oxide bandages were used in surgery to form an inflexible bandage, which held strong despite any flexing or moving by the patient. The zinc oxide component in both bandages and sticky plasters added their immovable quality.

Zinc oxide sticky tape have been used from around the 1920s, and are still widely used today as sports strapping tape. Since it does not stretch, the tape is used to strap up injured limbs and joints to limit movement.