Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Improvements in trusses / [Alexander Strauss]. Source: Wellcome Collection.
![N° 12,039 A.D. 1894 Date of Application, 2!st June, 1894 Complete Specification Left, 27th Feb., 1895—Accepted, 30th Mar., 1895 PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION. Improvements in Trusses. I, Alexander Strauss of Topfengasse No. 4 Francfort on the Main, in the ‘German Empire, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows : — In trusses hitherto employed for exomphalus or umbilical hernia the pad is apt 5 to shift from its proper position frequently causing great injury to, or even imperilling the life of the wearer. It is most desirable to provide a thoroughly good, well fitting truss and one which by exercising steady and uniform pressure upon the ruptured part, is capable of causing or allowing the edges of the hernial cavity or sack to close and heal, so that a radical cure of the rupture may be the 10 result. The object of the present invention is to provide such a truss and the said invention consists in making the pad, intended to be placed within the “ gate ” of the rupture, independent of the remaining portion of the truss, i.e. of the resilieut belt or band by which it is secured to the body, so that, whilst such pad does not 15 follow in all directions the movements of the said belt or band, caused by the movements of the body, it is, nevertheless subjected to its pressure to such an extent as firmly to compress the rupture. To attain this end, the pad and the belt or band are made as separate parts, the belt or band being fitted with a comparatively wide plate or shield of which the 20 side turned towards the body is so smooth that it easily and freely slides upon the pad situated underneath it, without causing, or permitting, such pad to leave the cavity or “gate” of the rupture. The following is a convenient arrangement according to this invention but I do not limit myself to the precise details. 25 The pad consists of a disc of suitable material such for instance as india rubber, leather or the like lined at the back with woollen fabric or any other material capable of readily sliding upon the smooth plate which is placed next it while on its front side it carries the small hemispherical pad adapted to compress the rupture. Between the pad and disc there is preferably interposed a small -30 stiffening washer of metal ; but this washer may be dispensed with if desired. The aforesaid disc is surrounded by perforations or air-holes serving to promote perspiration. The pad itself may be made of celluloid or hard rubber and should consist of one solid piece. The sliding plate or shield is curved so as to suit the shape of the body, and it, -35 preferably has an oval outline. It is best made of celluloid or hard rubber, though any other suitable material may be used in its manufacture, so long as its surface next the pad is sufficiently smooth or is capable of being planed or polished as it is an essential condition that the surface of the shield, which is turned towards the body, and which bears against the pad supporting plate, should be as 40 smooth and even as possible, so that the said shield may move or slide upon the pad with ease. The said shield or plate is also provided with perforations to assist perspiration. It may be connected with, or attached to, the elastic belt or band of the truss in any convenient manner, for instance by means of two side slots in the shield, through which slots the elastic band or belt is passed, they 4j meeting and being joined together in the centre of the shield. [Price 8c?.] | I](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30739846_0001.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
