Why are dressings applied to wounds?

Dressings are used for a variety of things: * To keep a wound clean and proteced * To prevent contact with a wound that would increase pain or damage * to immbolize (with eyes and such) * To act as packing in order to control blood flow * As a sponge, to wipe an area clean when you want to use something sterile or at least clean to do the wiping. * As padding.