Gutta percha, its discovery, history, and manifold uses.

Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Gutta percha, its discovery, history, and manifold uses. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    commended as an antidote to cold, to reply that it Avill not stand fire ! As to the suspicion, now and then expressed, that in some cases, the ordinary warmth of the atmosphere will injuriously soften these soles, it is sufficient to say, that Grutta Percha is constantly used and found to maintain its rigidity in the tropical heat of its native countries. It requires, in fact, a far higher temperature than the atmosphere ever gains in any quarter of the globe to soften it, when used as a shoe sole. A feeling against these soles once arose from a singular cir¬ cumstance. It should be known that Grutta Percha, like leather, improves by keeping. The soles therefore are generally retained in the Grutta Percha Company’s warehouses at least twelve months before distribution to the dealers. In 1848, however, it happened that the stock became exhausted by the rapidly increas¬ ing demand. The requirements of customers made it necessary, though against the wishes of the Company, to infringe upon the reserve. A quantity of Grutta Percha imperfectly seasoned thus came into the market. It did not wear well. The report then became current that it was adulterated. Others pro¬ claimed its failure. And in many quarters it gamed an unde¬ served bad name, which for aught we know may cling to it to this very day. Thus much for objections. On the other hand we have seen hosts of testimonials from medical and non-professional men, at¬ testing in the strongest terms the value of Gutta Percha soles. The prevention of chilblains, and of the many diseases that arise from damp or chilled feet, is unanimously ascribed to them. Several physicians of eminence state that they constantly wear these soles; one “would not on any account be without them.” Another “ likes them equally well for summer and winter wear, a little difference in the thickness only being desirable.” Another “ considers Gutta Percha soles in every respect, as valuable and as necessary to health as is flannel^ Another has “ used them with very gratifying results for about two years, and ” he adds? “ I never send my little bo}^ to boarding school without a good supply of them, and always strongly recommend them to my patients and friends.” Another has caused all the soldiers of a regiment (the 33rd) “ to be supplied with Gutta Percha soles
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