Specification of John Henry Johnson : artificial palates.

  • Johnson, John Henry.
Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of John Henry Johnson : artificial palates. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Johnson's Improvements in Artificial JPalates. Palates,” a communication to me from abroad by Jacob Peyer, of Berne, Switzerland, Doctor of Medicine, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what 5 manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent. NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same 10 is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:— The said Invention relates to means of or appliances for compensating 15 for natural defects in or accidental injuries to the velum or curtain of the palate, and consists in the employment of a peculiar arrangement of obturator for the roof of the mouth composed of hardened india-rubber or vulcanite, in combination with a valve or movable portion of a similar material whereby a clear articulation is obtained, and the operation of 20 deglutition is effected with the same facility as if the velum or curtain of the palate existed in its natural condition. This system of artificial palate is applicable in all cases of injuries to the velum or curtain of the palate known under the denomination of rictus lupinus, that is to say, whether such velum or curtain exists partially or is entirely absent. 25 The artificial palate consists of a plate designated, the palate plate which is composed of hardened india-rubber and fits firmly against the teeth where it is secured by hooks of india-rubber or gold. This palate plate extends from the incisors to the back of the mouth, that is to say, to the point at which the uvula is situate in its normal condition in 30 such a manner as to be capable of replacing a greater or less portion of the velum or curtain of the palate. The plate is provided at its rear end with a moveable portion, also composed of hardened india-rubber or vulcanite, and forming a species of valve which is destined to completely close the pharynx in order to prevent the air from escaping by the 35 nostrils, and thus to render the emission of sound perfectly clear and distinct. Moreover in order to obviate the pain and inconvenience which might arise at the period of or during the deglutition of food of