Use in medicine
Plaster impregnated
gauze bandages were widely used in the past up into the 1970-1980s as an immobilization support for broken bones.
A cloth bandage impregnated with plaster of Paris is dipped into water and then wrapped around the broken limb thereby
creating a firm-fitting yet easily removed splint in the shape of a tube or cylinder. This type of application
of plaster in the repair of a broken limb is commonly known as an orthopedic cast. The plaster cast is
slowing losing its ground in the medical field, as mentioned before this method is being replaced by a fiberglass casting
tape which is not only waterproof but also creates a much lighter orthopedic cast in terms of weight. The
tradition plaster of Paris cast made of plaster bandages were often too heavy for the patient to carry. The
plaster bandage cast is still used in emergency rooms where a temporary cast may be applied. Plaster is
used as a temporary cast since the price of plaster is much lower than the cost of fiberglass casting tape.
Plaster bandages are
also used in the fitting of prosthetic limbs. Often a patients amputated limb is is encased in plaster
of Paris gauze bandages and a cast is created yielding an impression for the exact fitting of a prosthetic leg.
This allow the prosthetic to fit more comfortably and uniformly to the stub of the amputee providing a more natural
fit.
Use in Art
Plaster gauze bandages have become widely used by the artist industry. Not
only are artists using plaster bandages in creating art forms such as body casting. But teachers are also
using plaster gauze bandages in the classroom in the making of plaster masks as an art project in schools.
Body casting is the
art of encasing the body in plaster of Paris bandages and creating an outline of the human torso or whatever the artist may
want to cast. Thereby creating a 3 dimensional replica of a person body part, whether it be the breasts
or the feet.
Teachers use the plaster by applying the bandages directly to the students face. This
creates a mirror like impression of the students face. Face masks are then decorated to the desired color
and design.
Chemical Composition of Plaster of Paris.
Plaster
of Paris, or simply plaster, is a type of building material based on calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate, nominally CaSO4·0.5H2O.
It is created by heating gypsum to about 150 °C.
2CaSO4·4H2O
→ 2CaSO4·H2O + 3H2O (released
as steam).
All plaster is exothermic producing some heat.
