Specification of Andrew Kurtz : invalid beds and couches.

  • Ball, Ancell.
Date:
1872
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Andrew Kurtz : invalid beds and couches. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    BalVs Improvements in Invalid Beds and Couches, respectively the spinal or dorsal ” mattress and the facial ” mattress) in conjunction with a reversing motion of the two mattresses and frames or supports either on end or on side pivots or centres, whereby the patient, who for the time being is lying between the two 5 mattresses, may he turned upon his face, back, or side, without necessitating any movement or change of position of the patient on the bed itself. This system affords great facility for the treatment of severe cases of bed sores and other surgical cases, wherein it is essential that the patient 10 he not disturbed, or wherein he has lost all power of changing his position in bed. Suitable provision is made for raising, lowering, and supporting the back and lower limbs in any convenient or easy position, thus enabling the patient to be brought into a semirecumbent or into a sitting posture without exertion on his own part. 15 A convenient arrangement of bed pan is also applied to the improved bed, and a peculiarly constructed night shirt and flannel vest is provided to be worn by the patient whilst using the bed, the back and front of the said garments being buttoned, tied, or otherwise temporarily united together at the sides, so that the posterior half may be readily removed 20 and replaced by a clean one should it become soiled. A flap is also provided when found requisite at or about the middle of the posterior half, which is capable of being turned up or down as required for use. And in order that my said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now proceed more particularly to describe the same; and for that 25 purpose shall refer to the several Figures on the annexed Sheets of Drawings, the same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures. Figure 1 (Sheet 1) of my Drawings represents a side elevation of my improved bed with the top or facial mattress applied. Figure 2 is a 30 corresponding end elevation of the bed shewing the exterior surface of the foot board. Figure 3 is a plan of the bed with the top or “ facial mattress removed shewing the lower or dorsal ” mattress which consti¬ tutes the reclining surface when the bed is in its normal condition, and shewing also in its proper position the ‘‘ side rest ” (herein-after referred 35 to), which is to be used when turning the patient. Figure 4 is a trans¬ verse section of the bed taken along the line 1—2, in Figure 3, shewing the bed pan in its place, and also the side rest. Figure 5 is a plan of