Specification of William Alexander Clarke : hot air and vapour baths.

  • Clarke, William Alexander.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of William Alexander Clarke : hot air and vapour baths. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Clarkes Impts. in the Construction $ Application of Hot Air Q Vapour JBaths. cover may be provided with another opening, as at 5*, to fit over the neck of the patient in a similar manner to that shewn in Fig. 1, or, if preferred, a separate cover, provided with a suitable opening for the neck, as in Fig. 1, may be employed. 5 For operating upon the legs or arms a much smaller apparatus than either of the others will suffice. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section, and Fig. 7 is an end elevation of a vapour bath for operating upon the legs, either one or both, Fig. 8 is a longitudinal] verticabjaection, and Fig. 9 is an end elevation of a vapour bath for operatfpg^pfeoglf j o$j both arms. It will be seen that 10 the leg bath, Figures 6 apjjj7© js^lovid^^lh a moveable cover h, which fits in a groove a* made in the lower part a, as in the former Figures, and that a tressle, table, or support i|oplft^§f inside to support the legs, or they may be made to rest upon the wooden frame c. In Figures 8 and 9 the bath is made in one part or chamber, and consequently the groove a* of the former 15 Figures is dispensed with. The holes or apertures at the end of the bath, and through which the arms or legs are passed, as shewn in Figures 6 and 8, are fitted with metal or other rings, whereby a ligature of india-rubber or some other elastic waterproof material is secured. These rings or fittings are shewn detached, and drawn upon an enlarged scale, at Figures 10 and 11. 20 A metal ring 7i, of suitable size, is secured by screws or otherwise to the end of the bath, a washer i, of leather, hemp, or other suitable elastic material, being placed between the ring h and the end of the bath to make a secure and steam-tight joint. A half-round annular groove is made round the upper side of this ring for the purpose of receiving another metal ring j, whereby 25 the circular piece of vulcanized india-rubber k, that is to form the ligature, is held in the annular groove of the piece h. These several parts are held together by an outer ring l, which, when screwed on or fastened by screws, bolts, or otherwise, will secure all the parts together, and form a perfectly steam-tight joint. The vulcanized india-rubber or other material which forms 30 the ligature is made sufficiently thick and strong to very tightly compress the limb and to stop the circulation of blood therein. Steam or vapour of a much higher temperature than is ordinarily employed can then be used with advantage, and without occasioning any pain or inconvenience to the patient, and consequently the action on the diseased limb will be much more energetic 35 than heretofore. Having now described my Invention of “ Improvements in the Construction of and Mode of Applying Hot Air and Vapour Baths, and having explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I would observe, that the mode or modes herein set forth and described of applying hot air and vapour baths