The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-01-06
Apparatus by Which tie Interior OF a
Mans Stomach can be Viewed.

Physicians have long been IN posses
sion of Instruments small
miITors-designed to assist them In get
ting look at the interior parts of the
human body, such as the back part of
the mouth, the throat, the inner eat,
etc. The dentists mirror perehelion, q
flexible joint, is familiar to all. But it
has long been desirable to penetrate to
the stomach Of patient afflicted with
gastric troubles and see by actual inspec-
ton what is its condition. Thus may
often be gained during the life of man
the valuable Information obtained at
present by post-mortem examination for
the mortuary report, and what has hith-
erto served too late to crafty the curios-
lty OF the doctor may go to saving the
life of his patient-in q word. the means
TO diagnose the condition Of the stomach
by sight rather than guessing, has long
been wanted, and Herr Letter, of Vienna,
has patented an instrument designed to
supply the want. The gastroscope, saws
an exchange, is an electric lantern and
mirror combined, which, fixed upon the
end of flexible tube, is inserted bodily
into the stomach, being passed down the
throat of the patient with its equipment
of wires for producing the electric light.
The lantern is q small, hollow glass
globe containing the PLATINUM coil
which, when heated by current of
electricity, is to produce the illumina-
ton of the interior of the stomach. It is
made double, SO that no heat can be
communicated to the stomach, and to
make it the more sure, the space be-
tween the inner and outer globe is kept
supplied with current of cold water by
means Of two small India rubber tubes
inclosed in the main tube. The tissues
OF the human body are comparatively
translucent, and when the current Of
electricity is turned on the internal Or
ganization, it is said, becomes distinctly
visible. The experiment of Illuminating
the interior Of fish has often been per-
formed by amateur electricians, the
straight lines and simple structure of
the fish facilitating the introduction of
the apparatus. What is really novel.
therefore, in Herr Letters apparatus re-
remains to be described. 1t is the addi-
ton he makes of a series of mirrors and
lenses by means of which the light COM
ing from the illuminated stomach is sent
back up the tube to which the lantern
is attached, and, reaching the eye-piece
outside the patients body, is viewed by
the surgeon. But small portion of the
surface of the stomach is thus brought
into our view, it is true, but it is enough
from which to make a diagnosis. If a
hrOa5ar field Ia docirod To no ooxyo,.o5 -
is done by revolving the lantern. By
the agency Of little notched wheel with
teeth playing into ring in the interior
OF the tube, the whole lower part Or the
apparatus may be revolved without the
necessity of Withdrawing it for a new adj
justment. Though but little known as
yet, this instrument has been put, it is
said, to the test of practical use, and we
can scarcely doubt that it will soon
come to form recognized part of the
stock Of instrument in the hands of
every surgeon. Happily for Herr Lei
ter's invention, its introduction into gen
eral use has been rendered possible by
NJ. Faur's secondary battery for restor-
ing electricity. Without the latter the
gastroscope could have but limited use,
since to obtain the high degree of light
required, very strong galvanic battery
would have been needed, and such a
battery few physicians possess and care
to bother with. AS it is, one large
Faur's cell, which the physician can
readily carry with him in his buggy, is
all that is needed for intro-gastric dag
nosis,