Specification of William Clark : trusses and pessaries.

  • William Clark
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of William Clark : trusses and pessaries. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Claries Lnpts. in Bernial and Orthopedic Apparatus and Pessaries, ances to those before described but producing, the same results. As regards the fourth arrangement above described, the excentric is likewise different in its application, although it will be readily understood by reason of its simplicity. I claim the application of all movements above described whatever may be their position, size, and the material they are made of, and whatever be 5 the form of the plates I should choose to apply. As I have before mentioned, mechanical arrangements have been already employed for reversing and inclining the pads, for lengthening and shortening the springs on the back part, for lengthening or strengthening the collar or neck, and for increasing or diminishing the pads so as to press back the intestines; but all these devices 10 have been applied separately, and further, the movements obtained were produced by jerks and liable to stoppage, and had not that regularity and solidity required for being efficient; again, none of these movements can be compared to those I have described as regards simplicity and strength. Moreover, all the arrangements I apply are new to this day, and also the 15 arrano-ements to be herein-after described, and which I claim as of this Invention. The most celebrated physicians will admit, for the reduction and cure of hernia, of no other application but that of a truss perfectly adjusted and fitted; but there lies the difficulty. Supposing, indeed, that an apparatus is obtained which at first fulfils all requirements, experience will prove that 20 after a few months wear, owing to the effects of perspiration which oxidizes the steel parts, the energy and pressure required for an efficient reduction of the hernia will no longer exist; and there, indeed, lies the greatest danger. The patient, quite confident in the apparatus he is w^earing, will not forsee the danger of exposing himself to daily labours, and it frequently happens that 25 at an unexpected moment, the apparatus being no longer able to maintain its position, gives way, thereby producing lamentable results. An apparatus should, then, in order to be well and constantly adjusted, undergo numerous modifications, the most indispensable among which I will herein-after enu¬ merate. I will first describe the mechanical arrangements which I make 30 use of for answering all requirements, still observing that all are progressive in their action, or, in other words, operating by degrees. The necessary movements for a plain truss are thirteen in number, namely; 1st, mobility of the dorsal pad on the loins in every direction, Sheet 3 ; 2ndly, elasticity of the dorsal pad, Sheet 3; 3rdly, elasticity of the pubic belt. Sheet 3 ; 4thly, facility 35 of lengthening or shortening the connecting parts of this belt, Sheet 3; 5thly, extension of the spring on the back part. Sheet 3 ; 6thly, shortening the same spring on the back part. Sheet'3; Tthly, increasing the power of the spring, Sheet 3; 8thly, lengthening the spring on the front collar, Sheet 3; 9thly,
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