- Email: [email protected]
New Inventions IN AID OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.
169
New Inventions IN AID OF THE
PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. MR. WINCHESTER’S New Method of Treating Fractures, with a Description of a Suitable Apparatus. IN THE LANCET for December 25th, 1852, was noticed,
amongst the proceedings of
the
Medico-Chirurgical Society, an In giving a more detailed account, with an engraving of the apparatus, the inventor, Mr. Winchester, says that " the principle involved is of no ordinary importance, and its application in practice will prove of incalculable benefit. It is clear, from the variety account of
a
" new method of
treating fractures."
repeatedly introduced, that surgeons find their apparatus unequal to their requirements ; that they cannot obtain such favourable results as they desire. This, on reflection, of contrivances
will be found to arise, not from want of skill and attention on their part, but from the defect of the apparatus, and chiefly from the want of a fixed principle to guide them in the treatment. My object then has been to supply this deficiency, and how far I have succeeded will be evident when I state that the principle on which my apparatus is contrived is the imitation of nature. In nature there exists an invariable law of uniformity or symmetry between the two halves of the body. Successful therefore on maintenance of this the law, the surgery depends preservation of this uniformity, or in other words, the restoration of the injured part to its normal or natural condition. The bones give general form to the body; consequently the modelling asound part for the use of the injured one renders the mechanical appliance as perfect as it is possible, and affords a permanent and unerring guide to the surgeon in the treatment of injuries and diseases of the bones and joints. " My invention consists of joints of wood, metal, or other suitable material, and of convenient length, which have the power of being fixed at any desired angle. By this arrangement we are enabled to take and retain the exact shape and form of any of the body, thereby forming a perfect model of the sound or healthy part, and consequently a complete support for the corresponding injured and diseased part. Its advantages are these :-It gives confidence and certainty to the surgeon in the treatment; and being applicable to all cases, and exceedingly portable, effects a great saving of time, (especially to the country surgeon,) and suffering to the patient. A full-sized splint can be folded into a space of fifteen inches by three wide, and three can be carried round the waist as a belt, or in the pocket. deep; " My objections to the splints at present in use are-1st. That they are all, without exception, straight; and it is evident the binding a naturally curved limb to a straight splint must tend to straighten such limb. Again, they keep the patient too long in one position, producing at times considerable mischief, and even sloughing. This also at times occurs from the injurious pressure arising from the use of screws or other contrivances for the purpose of extension. With regard to extension, I would remark, and I believe it will be admitted by most surgeons, that the difficulty arises, not so much in reducing a fracture, as in keeping the parts in apposition after reduction. With extension there must be counter-extension, which requires to be in constant operation; for if withdrawn, the apparatus becomes useless; and, moreover, any straining beyond what is natural fatigues muscles, irritates the patient, and impedes union. I object also to fixing the splint-as is in some instances done-to the bed, or a board provided for that purpose. The splint not moving with the limb, the least sinking in bed or motion of the body must alter the relative position of the ends of the bone, particularly in oblique fractures, which results in shortening. " By the use of my splint all these imperfections are remedied. natural length and shape being preserved, there is no for extension, or chance of displacement. It affords the entire shaft of the bone; the parts .,Port throughout their natural position. become quiescent, repair. It is also applicable to the upper spine, and, indeed, to any part of the body requiring have this splint, and it appears to us to be exceedingly ",examined it is’intended to for the perform. In simple adapted of the purposes and lower extremiupper Witres Mr. of ties the utility ’’ster’s apparatus is unquestionable.
portion
the
Thnecebtty exact perfect and natureed in original extremity-ts°nly to We
artifie
care2support."
Fm. 1 shows the splint. a a. Pieces of wood, metal, &c. b. Joints, which are fixed at any desired angle. e. A crutch for the axilla, if necessary; and d. The foot-piece, both of which can be regulated to any
length e.
or
angle.
Studs for the straps.
FIG. 2 shows the splint applied to the broken side, after being adjusted to the opposite uninjured one. It will be perceived that even should both thigh and leg be broken, the sameadjustment does, showing a great superiority over all other splints. It can be lengthened or shortened at pleasure, and a piece removed from any part, should there be a wound, without deranging the adjustment. f. Ball-and-socket joint for hip. g. Hinge-joint for knee.
FtG. 3 shows the straps used in the application of the splint. The size of the sound limb is taken when the splint is adjusted by When applied means of the buckle with the lacing fastened. to the injured limb the original size is still maintained by the occur the buckle ; and should swelling lacing is loosened, allowing the strap to expand by means of a piece of vulcanized India-rubber inserted. As the swelling subsides the strap goes back to its original size, and is again laced. By this means the necessity for loosening the strap is avoided.
New Inventions IN AID OF THE
PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. MR. WINCHESTER’S New Method of Treating Fractures, with a Description of a Suitable Apparatus. IN THE LANCET for December 25th, 1852, was noticed,
amongst the proceedings of
the
Medico-Chirurgical Society, an In giving a more detailed account, with an engraving of the apparatus, the inventor, Mr. Winchester, says that " the principle involved is of no ordinary importance, and its application in practice will prove of incalculable benefit. It is clear, from the variety account of
a
" new method of
treating fractures."
repeatedly introduced, that surgeons find their apparatus unequal to their requirements ; that they cannot obtain such favourable results as they desire. This, on reflection, of contrivances
will be found to arise, not from want of skill and attention on their part, but from the defect of the apparatus, and chiefly from the want of a fixed principle to guide them in the treatment. My object then has been to supply this deficiency, and how far I have succeeded will be evident when I state that the principle on which my apparatus is contrived is the imitation of nature. In nature there exists an invariable law of uniformity or symmetry between the two halves of the body. Successful therefore on maintenance of this the law, the surgery depends preservation of this uniformity, or in other words, the restoration of the injured part to its normal or natural condition. The bones give general form to the body; consequently the modelling asound part for the use of the injured one renders the mechanical appliance as perfect as it is possible, and affords a permanent and unerring guide to the surgeon in the treatment of injuries and diseases of the bones and joints. " My invention consists of joints of wood, metal, or other suitable material, and of convenient length, which have the power of being fixed at any desired angle. By this arrangement we are enabled to take and retain the exact shape and form of any of the body, thereby forming a perfect model of the sound or healthy part, and consequently a complete support for the corresponding injured and diseased part. Its advantages are these :-It gives confidence and certainty to the surgeon in the treatment; and being applicable to all cases, and exceedingly portable, effects a great saving of time, (especially to the country surgeon,) and suffering to the patient. A full-sized splint can be folded into a space of fifteen inches by three wide, and three can be carried round the waist as a belt, or in the pocket. deep; " My objections to the splints at present in use are-1st. That they are all, without exception, straight; and it is evident the binding a naturally curved limb to a straight splint must tend to straighten such limb. Again, they keep the patient too long in one position, producing at times considerable mischief, and even sloughing. This also at times occurs from the injurious pressure arising from the use of screws or other contrivances for the purpose of extension. With regard to extension, I would remark, and I believe it will be admitted by most surgeons, that the difficulty arises, not so much in reducing a fracture, as in keeping the parts in apposition after reduction. With extension there must be counter-extension, which requires to be in constant operation; for if withdrawn, the apparatus becomes useless; and, moreover, any straining beyond what is natural fatigues muscles, irritates the patient, and impedes union. I object also to fixing the splint-as is in some instances done-to the bed, or a board provided for that purpose. The splint not moving with the limb, the least sinking in bed or motion of the body must alter the relative position of the ends of the bone, particularly in oblique fractures, which results in shortening. " By the use of my splint all these imperfections are remedied. natural length and shape being preserved, there is no for extension, or chance of displacement. It affords the entire shaft of the bone; the parts .,Port throughout their natural position. become quiescent, repair. It is also applicable to the upper spine, and, indeed, to any part of the body requiring have this splint, and it appears to us to be exceedingly ",examined it is’intended to for the perform. In simple adapted of the purposes and lower extremiupper Witres Mr. of ties the utility ’’ster’s apparatus is unquestionable.
portion
the
Thnecebtty exact perfect and natureed in original extremity-ts°nly to We
artifie
care2support."
Fm. 1 shows the splint. a a. Pieces of wood, metal, &c. b. Joints, which are fixed at any desired angle. e. A crutch for the axilla, if necessary; and d. The foot-piece, both of which can be regulated to any
length e.
or
angle.
Studs for the straps.
FIG. 2 shows the splint applied to the broken side, after being adjusted to the opposite uninjured one. It will be perceived that even should both thigh and leg be broken, the sameadjustment does, showing a great superiority over all other splints. It can be lengthened or shortened at pleasure, and a piece removed from any part, should there be a wound, without deranging the adjustment. f. Ball-and-socket joint for hip. g. Hinge-joint for knee.
FtG. 3 shows the straps used in the application of the splint. The size of the sound limb is taken when the splint is adjusted by When applied means of the buckle with the lacing fastened. to the injured limb the original size is still maintained by the occur the buckle ; and should swelling lacing is loosened, allowing the strap to expand by means of a piece of vulcanized India-rubber inserted. As the swelling subsides the strap goes back to its original size, and is again laced. By this means the necessity for loosening the strap is avoided.