Specification of Thomas Timmins & Thomas Simmons : bath.

  • Timmins, Thomas.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Thomas Timmins & Thomas Simmons : bath. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/14 (page 8)
    Timmins ^ Simmons* Improved Bath, the foot of the bathj making the connection from the pipes of the apparatus to the interior of the bath secure, when the bath will be fit for use, either as a hot air or vapour bath, by pursueing the following directions:—A blanket or piece of flannel should be placed over the frame V, and a pillow placed at the head for the invalid, who should now entirely undress, and thoroughly sponge 5 the body with hot water, diluted (by preference) with carbonate of soda in the proportion of about one ounce to one gallon of water, after which the body should be well rubbed, and by this time the heating apparatus will be in full force sending an active stream of rarefied air into the bath, which may be now ready for receiving the patient, who will be placed full length upon the 10 frame, the counterpoised cover must now be put down, which we prefer being lined with flannel, and made to fit well so that the hot air shall not unnepes- sarily escape, and by the time the patient is thus placed the water or decoction f in the boiler from the heat of the lamp will be throwing off an active stream of steam, which will be prevented from rapid condensation by the rarefied state 15 of the atmosphere within the bath, during which the patient will find benefit from the face being sponged frequently with cold water during the time of taking the bath, and in some cases free perspiration will be induced by sponging the body with cold water, and again closing the cover. The bath may thus safely be used for any moderate length of time, notwithstanding the agreable 20 sensation produced while indulging in this description of bath will by no means incline the patient to hurry through its operation, but when free perspiration has been obtained, and continued for a moderate length of time the patient should before leaving the vapour bath take a warm and then a cold shower bath, which will have a very refreshing and invigorating effect, and after en- 25 tirely leaving the bath, and before dressing, the free use of dry towels, and well rubbing is strongly recommended. Having now given a general description of our Invention, and the manner in which the same may be generally constructed, and beneficially used, we wish it understood that we do not purpose confining ourselves to the general details 30 herein described, and exhibited, as the same may be varied without effecting the spirit and object of our Invention, as for instance, instead of the portable bath herein described a permanent and fixed bath may be constructed, and adapted for combining the advantages of our Invention, in that case the means of generating the steam, and heating air may differ materially from the details 35 heiein described and exhibited, still producing steam and heated air, which aie essential elements of our combined Invention, but what we claim and ^vish piotected by these our in part recited Letters Patent is the g:eneral 0