Specification of Alfred Vincent Newton : pneumatic apparatus for treating diseases of the lungs and heart.
- Alfred Vincent Newton
- Date:
- 1874
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Specification of Alfred Vincent Newton : pneumatic apparatus for treating diseases of the lungs and heart. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![Newton's ’Pneumatic Apparatus for Treating Diseases of the Lungs, 8pc. lungs with the view of strengthening the lungs or of acting upon the right or left ventricle of the heart. The apparatus in some respects resembles a miniature gasometer, that is to say, it consists of a stationary cylinder open at top, within which slides telescopically an inverted cylinder of somewhat smaller dimensions. 5 The inner cylinder is supported by weighted cords which pass over pulleys carried by standards which are attached to the outer cylinder. This cylinder is graduated, and by the side of the graduations is placed an open glass tube which communicates with the bottom of the cylinder. This is for the purpose of shewing the level at which water supplied to 10 the cylinder stands. A tap is also provided for running off the water. The inner cylinder is likewise graduated, but from the top downwards, and on the top of this cylinder is a mercury gauge communicating with the interior thereof for the purpose of shewing the degree of attenuation or compression, as the case may be, of the air contained therein. Con- 15 nected also with this vessel is a flexible pipe fitted at its extremity with a cup-shaped piece for receiving the face of the patient intended to be treated by the apparatus. An elastic padding surrounds the lip of this cup to permit of its being fitted air-tight to the face of the patient. A T way cock is applied to the flexible pipe for the purpose of bringing 20 the mouth of the patient into communication with the interior of the suspended cylinder or of the external atmosphere, as may be required. In using this apparatus the outer cylinder is first filled with water to about the height of 80 centimeters. Weights are then hung to the suspending cords of the inner cylinder, and the T way cock being 25 closed the inner cylinder will be drawn up, and will thereby attenuate the air therein to an extent corresponding to the weight applied to the suspending cords. ' If compressed air is required the inner cylinder is raised while the T way cock is open, and in proportion as the raised vessel is weighted 30 so will the air contained therein be compressed. The apparatus will therefore allow of the employment of air compressed or rarefied to] a certain definite or ascertained degree.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30751287_0004.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
