Specification of Alfred Pocock : drinking vessel for invalids.

  • Pocock, Alfred.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Alfred Pocock : drinking vessel for invalids. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Provisional Specification. FococTcs Improved Drinking Vessel for Invalids. consequences by checking perspiration. Various contrivances have been adopted for the purpose of supplying liquids conveniently to sick persons and others who require to be fed while lying down, such, for instance, as small cups, jugs, and similar vessels with peculiarly formed spouts, but these will not allow the patient to drink while lying down without 5 danger of choking, and as they will only hold a small quantity they need to be frequently refilled. Moreover they cannot be placed conveniently in such a position that - the patient can drink without the aid of an attendant, and without being partially uncovered and raised up in bed. Feeding bottles with elastic tubes have also been used, but these have 10 not been so contrived that any quantity of the liquid can be kept in a vessel or reservoir outside the bed and at a uniform temperature, either cold or warm, and at the same time allow the patient to drink without effort or without any change of position. In carrying my said Invention into practice I construct a vessel or 15 reservoir of glass, porcelain, metal, or other suitable material, of such a capacity that it will hold enough of the liquid to supply the patient throughout the night or during any other required period. This vessel or reservoir is to be supported on a bracket or hanger which is fixed or suspended upon the wall near the bed, and at such an elevation that 20 it will be higher than any position in which the occupant of the bed may recline. To this vessel I connect a flexible tube, which should be long enough to extend conveniently to any part of the bed, so that it may be adapted to whatever position the patient may happen to be lying in. The end of the tube is furnished with a mouth piece of any 25 convenient form and material, and on or near this mouth piece is a spring clip, which always keeps the tube closed and prevents the escape of the liquid from the mouth piece except when a slight pressure is exerted upon the said clip. When the mouth piece is taken hold of and inserted in the mouth the clip will be found to be in such a position 30 that the fingers naturally press upon and open the same, while if the mouth piece is released or dropped the clip instantly closes the tube, so that none of the liquid is wasted or the bed clothes wetted or soiled. The bracket for supporting the reservoir is made with projecting pieces which clasp or embrace the said vessel and prevent any possibility of 35 its being upset or thrown down, while at the same time the said vessel may be readily removed from the bracket with the tube attached to be cleaned or refilled. The said vessel has an aperture at the top through