Observations on the properties of the air-pump vapour-bath, pointing out their efficacy in the cure of gout, rheumatism, palsy, &c. : With cursory remarks on factitious airs, and on the improved state of medical electricity, in all its branches, particularly in that of galvanism, and their efficacy in various diseases / by M. La Beaume.

  • La Beaume, Michael.
Date:
1818
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the properties of the air-pump vapour-bath, pointing out their efficacy in the cure of gout, rheumatism, palsy, &c. : With cursory remarks on factitious airs, and on the improved state of medical electricity, in all its branches, particularly in that of galvanism, and their efficacy in various diseases / by M. La Beaume. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    be had to the circumstances of temperature, or of an increase or dimunition of its natural pres- sure. It is certain, that the removal of the atmo- spheric pressure is, in many cases, attended with the most salutary effects, and the Air-Pump Vapour-Bath is, beyond all doubt, the most powerful agent of the kind that has ever yet been used. Indeed, it is founded on the unerring principles of nature, clearly supported by reason and philosophy, and has therefore made its way in the world, unaided by any of the arts of finesse, or the tricks of chicanerv. One of the most obvious properties of air is its elasticity. This property might be exemplified by innumerable experiments. A very easy and convincing one is, merely to squeeze a full blown bladder between the hands, to which the enclosed air offers a very sensible resistance, while it is at the same time reduced into a smaller volume; but, when we cease to compress the bladder, it iininediately recovers its original figure, being expanded by the elasticity of the air within. The air exerts its elasticity equally in all direc- tions, as is evident from the spherical figure of soap bubbles, blown from the bowl of a tobacco- pipe—an experiment, w hich, though frequently the amusement of boys, will not appear trifling, when it is recollected, that it afforded to the iininoi tal Newton no inconsiderable aid, in his investigation of the theory of colours. The same globular figure is assumed, and for the same