Specification of Joseph Amesbury : apparatus for supporting the human body.

  • Joseph Amesbury
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Joseph Amesbury : apparatus for supporting the human body. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Amesburys Apparatus for the Support of the Human J3ody. means of rivets or otherwise. This support may also be secured behind, either by straps and buckles and a lace, or entirely by straps and buckles, and as shewn at Figures 11 and 31. Figure 12 is an edge view of one of the two back springs H, H. This support is used, in the cases above mentioned, with a curative intention, and with the most beneficial effect, as by its 5 influence the protruding abdomen is supported and gradually reduced to its natural figure. In cases of mesenteric disease, accompanied with a great degree of abdominal enlargement, and with or without flattening of the sides of the chest, its curative influence is very remarkable. This state of the abdomen, which frequently resists all other remedial agents, readily yields 10 under the operation of my “ reducing support.” In cases of abdominal rupture and in cases of weakness of the abdomen, accompanied with protrusion, my “reducing support” will be found a great relief and benefit in sustaining and strengthening the parts affected. In the case of pregnancy many persons require the front of the body to be supported, and numerous contrivances 15 have been introduced to accomplish this desirable object, but hitherto with little advantage to the wearer. During this state of the body it is necessary to be especially careful that the support which is given be easy and comfortable, and at the same time safe. The apparatus used should assist the wearer in sustaining the weight without injurious pressure. After childbirth 20 also there is commonly a degree of fulness and laxity of the abdomen which frequently cannot be removed without a well-adapted support. I have been enabled to succeed in my endeavours to relieve the female under these circum¬ stances who may stand in need of support, either before or after childbirth, by the use of my “ adjustable support,” which is worn as long as is desirable. By 25 means of my improved support the weight of the child is carried as it were in a pouch, which either adapts itself or admits of being adapted to suit the varying form of the wearer, and by a peculiar arrangement the weight of the child is in a great measure transferred by the use of this support from the front of the body of the mother to the back of her hips, where it is more 30 easily carried. The adjustable support admits of being adapted by the mother herself to suit her own feelings, and so as to support the front of the body without injury to the child. After delivery the adjustable support allows of being easily accommodated to suit the altered condition of the body, and should then be made to bear upon the front of the abdomen, so as to assist in the 35 restoration of the muscles and other parts which have been stretched and weakened during the progress of pregnancy. Figure 13 is a representation of this “adjustable support viewed nearly in front; and Figure 14 the same viewed from behind, and showing its various parts in connection; Figure 15