New Inventions IN AID OF THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY.

267 it should be in the mean time remembered that the elastic texture employed is composed of caoutchouc threads, which are covered over with silk, cotton, or wool; bands or strips, almost one inch wide, are then woven with these threads, and the strips being sown together in a spiral form, yield bandages which may be applied to all parts of the body, producing a methodical, regular, and continuous compression, either over the whole surface with which they come in contact, or over a definite region. The sketch exhibits a belt about eight inches wide, composed of elastic strips spirally sown together. To the right or left side of the lower margin of this belt a thigh-piece made of the same material is adapted, the latter being used to keep the belt infallibly in its place. The belt, however, is itself the support and protection of the special agent of compression, which is an oval bag of soft and pliable caoutchouc, covered with chamois leather, and filled with air, which is blown into it by means of a short pipe and stop-cock, and the pad is fixed on the internal part of the belt opposite the spot where the compression is required. This spot is mostly the internal inguinal or the crural ring. The amount of insuffiation into this kind of pad will regulate the degree of compression which it is advisable to use, and the continuous action of the pressure is further secured by two non-elastic straps, which pass over the pad. The straps may be either loosened or tightened by means of buckles, this being of much importance, as immediate and permanent compression may in a moment thus be obtained. It will suffice to see the apparatus once upon the patient, to understand how it works, and what comfort it procures, especially to those who have suffered by the use of steel

invention ;

New Inventions IN AID OF THE

PRACTICE OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY. Elastic and Air-pad Truss.

By M. BOURJEAURD. THE improvements in mechanical support for hernial protrusions, of which the annexed engraving conveys a faint idea, are of vast importance to the profession and the community in general. It would appear that the time has arrived when people affected with either inguinal, femoral, or umbilical hernia, will be enabled, by easy, comfortable, and at the same time secure support, to keep the protruded intestine, or omentum, within the abdomen, in such a manner that the apparatus will be scarcely felt, and every kind of movement necessary for walking, running, or riding, performed without the slightest diffi. culty. Another great advantage of this truss is, that the abdominal belt gives very efficient support to a great extent of the abdominal walls, and that, by keeping up the viscera, it counteracts the tendency to protrusion. Such a boon is cer. tainly far beyond what the steel springs can ever accomplish, and it is only surprising, considering how long caoutchouc has been used in various ways, that such an application of it as ï. now made for support in hernia, was not devised before. Tc all the advantages held out by a belt and thigh-piece, made oi M. Bourjeaurd’s peculiar spiral bandaging, is added, in the present apparatus, a pad of caoutchouc, filled with a quantity of air, which may be at pleasure increased and diminished, sc that the pressure effected on the ring, may be regulated at any time by the patient himself. The idea of using air for this purpose is a very happy one, as the compression can hardly ever have any injurious effects; and where the ring is large, the air-pad insinuates itself into the aperture in such a manner as to prevent any protrusion of the contents of the abdomen whatever position the patient may take, and though he may be using a great amount of effort or exertion. M. Bourjeaurd has, moreover, by his spiral method, the power of changing the amount of compression at every circular inch, so that, by using in various places webbing of different strength, he cau distribute pressure with more or less force, as the particular caSE in hand may require. To prevent any kind of uneasiness whatever, inelastic bands and buckles have been fixed over the air-pads, so that the difference of diameter before and after meals might with the most perfect ease be attended to.

springs. We have heard such frequent complaints of steel springs or now and then causing such serious inconvenience, that we look upon M. Bourjeaurd’s invention as likely to benefit patients suffering from hernia. The abdominal viscera being gently supported by the belt, and the compression upon the ring being of a graduated and elastic kind, are facts of paramount importance. It should at the same time be remembered that not only umbilical but inguinal hernia may, under favourable circumstances, be eventually cured by means of this description. According to M. Bourjeaurd’s statements, it would appear that all kinds of movements may be performed by the patients with the utmost facility whilst they are wearing his apparatus-a circumstance well worthy of attention. We venture to predict that the elastic band and air-pad truss of M. Bourjeaurd will, in the course of time, be universally adopted and confer great benefits upon the community. not fitting,

Milk

Tester for the

ivillion. Registered by Mr. GEORGE. Factory, Adelphi Arcade, Strand.

Tnrs little instrument is calculated to render the public important service. The low price at which it is sold places it within the reach of everybody.

MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.-At

a

meeting

practitioners residing in the Tower Hamlets, held on Monday, Feb. 23rd, the following resolutions were carried unanimously:—1st. Moved by GEORGE T. DALE EsQ., seconded by JAMES SELF, Esq.: " That the gentlemen present do form a of medical

committee, with

power to add to their number, for the purpose of aiding the funds of the establishment, and carrying into effect the objects of the Medical Benevolent College proposed by John Propert, Esq." 2nd. Moved by R. WALLACE, Esq., seconded by JOHN LIDDLE, ESQ.: "That two or more of the members of the committee call upon every qualified medical practitioner in the Tower Hamlets, and all other influential persons who may be willing to assist in the benevolent cause." 3rd. Moved by C. Eso., seconded by C. J. TOMKINS, Esq.: " That the honorary localsecretary be reand that a quested to have the foregoing Resolutions copy of them, with the Address, be ’every gentleman committee." previous to the call of the deputation

TATHAM,

Having said thus much on the general merits of invention, we shall now give a detailed account of the engraving, which is an exact illustration of M. Bourjeaurd’s

above the

printed,

sent to

of the