Specification of Timothy Sheldrake : curing deformities of the human body.

  • Sheldrake, Timothy, active 1783-1806
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Timothy Sheldrake : curing deformities of the human body. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/12 page 6
    Sheldrakes Method of Curing all the Deformities of Children or Others. Achilles is only one of the consequences of that want of power however produced. In all these cases, the curative intention is the same, and by my Invention is effected by adopting a spring or springs to supply the deficiency of action in those muscles. Thirdly, I shall exemplify the method of curing those defects wrhieh arise 5 from defects of muscular action, whatever may be the cause of that defect, by my method of curing that distortion of the leg and foot which is occasioned by contraction of the gastrocuemii muscles and tendo-Achilles, or by want of power in those muscles whose office is to counteract the above mentioned. In this kind of disease the heel is drawn up and the toe pointed straight forwrards, 10 with more or less rigidity, according to circumstances. The curative intentions are to place the limb in its natural position, and restore (if possible) the natural action of the muscles. I examine the diseased part to discover w hat muscle is deficient in contractile power, and consider in what direction that muscle would draw the parts if in its natural state. I then provide and apply a 15 spring whose power is equal to the natural power of the defective muscle, and whose curve is such that when bound on the limb its reaction will draw it as much as possible towards its natural state. If the disease is occasioned by defects in the action of more than one muscle, I provide a separate spring to imitate and supply the action of each of the defective muscles, and apply 20 them separately and alternately, varying their powers and action until the whole disease is eradicated. I apply these springs in the following manner :— I provide a splint of tin or other convenient substance to cover one half the leg, and serve as a basis for the springs to act from. This splint is lined with leather, wrool, or other convenient substance, to prevent it from galling the 25 part. It is then bound on the leg with any kind of bandage that may be convenient. I then bind the spring in such a direction that its reaction will draw the limb as much as possible towards its natural state, and leave it in this condition for one, two, or three days, according as the circumstances of the case will permit. I then unbind it and alter its direction, &c., so that it 30 may produce a farther effect; or if it is a complex case, and various springs are necessary, I apply a different one for the same or a like space of time, and thus proceed gradually until the cure is compleat. There is another species of deformity, arising from or connected with improper combination of bones, that may be materially benefited by this Invention, videlicet, 35 in curvation of the spine, and its manifold consequences. Upon this subject I shall lay down a simple proposition, which those who are acquainted with the structure of those parts will comprehend, and then more particularly explain the application of it. All the mechanical methods of treating this disease that have
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image
    No text description is available for this image