[Esmarch's tourniquet: 135 years in use].

Based on thoroughly reviewing the 135-year historical experience gained worldwide, thi author analyses advantages and disadvantages of using the Esmarch 's haemostatic tourniquet t( arrest external haemorrhage. With due references made to its practical application during globa wars, local military conflicts, as well as in a variety of peace-time situations and circumstance; that urgently require rendering first medical aid, substantiated herein is currently rather a restrained attitude to and certain concern about appropriate applications of this antihaemorrhagic tourniquet, accordingly accompanied and followed by a now appreciable tendency towards a relative reduction in the number of indications for its use.