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.

    17/84 (page 17)
    before tliought of, what effects may we not be led to exj3ect, from so extended a combination ?— Every day’s experience is proving to us its effica- cy, in gout, rheumatism, contractions of muscles, cutaneous and other diseases, particularly of the chronic kind. The peculiar construction of the machine, is adapted to the leg or arm only ; but the principle extends much farther, and can be applied to any part of the body, by the inter- vention oif glasses or otherwise. When, then, we consider, that, by such means, the pressure of the atmosphere might be removed from so large a surface, every square inch of which, sustains a weight of 15lb, the efiects on the vessels circulat- ing the fluids, in such parts, are too evident to need insisting on in these pages. A very obvious one is that the consequent temporary expansion of those vessels, from so great a pressure being re- moved, must give an opportunity for obstructions to give way, while at the same time, the progress of inflammation, is arrested.’^ The following letter from Dr. Hamilton, physician to the l.ondon Dispensary, addressed to the Proprietor, is quoted by Dr. BLegborough: DEAR SIR, “ I HAVE often, since the time I examined your machine for conveying a Vapour-bath to diseased limbs, and for taking off the pressure of the atmosphere, considered it and its probable effects with much attention ; and, my opinion is, that it is likely to be of the greatest use to man-