Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1884-12-03
A New Surgical Lamp.

One of the newest adaptations OF
electric Examinations Is IN the shape Oh
a very small lantern. which can be
introduced into the mouth, throat, ana
in some cases, the stomach, Tor the
purpose of aiding surgical and dental
onerations which cannot be carried on
without light and for which 1t has been
extremely difficult heretofore to optaln
light by mirrors or other means. Tx
periments have been making Tor some
wears to perfect apparatus OF this kind.
Since 1881 E. T. Star, an expert IN
electrical science, has been working
at intervals upon minute electrical
lamps, and ut last succeeded In getting
highly satisfactory results. Patents
have been obtained. The instrument
has been critically examined by dentists
and surgeons and has already oecn
used in practice.
Tho lamp primarily consists OF .
delicate glass bulb. from which the air
has been Withdrawn and as nearly o
| perfect vacuum created o possible
The bulb varies In shape, being
| spheroidal, fiat and compass-shaped.
and also cylindrical. with . conical
termination. Through the thin walls
OF tho lantern run the conducting wires,
connected by . carbon arc, on which
the electricity centres. and which thus
becomes the place of light. The glass
lantern is very small, the cylindrical
shaped being scarcely half an inch in
length, and with diameter not nearly
so great as that of an ordinary lead
pencil. The compass-shaped lamp Is
about one-quarter of an inch thick, and
has q diameter of an inch. while the
spheroidal seems scarcely larger than
a good sized pea. The lamp Is at
tached to handle. from seven to nine
inchas long. and about half an inch
thick. through which run the wires con-
Meeting with the battery. The handle
and tho lamp can be separated. and
thus but one handle Is necessary fol
use with the different forms OF the
lamps. The intensity OF the power,
and hence the brilliancy OF tho arc o.
light, can be regulated by moving
along tho handle . ring which connects
with the wires. Tho handle has several
Joints and Its positions can be arranged
in almost any way so rs to adapt 1t x
the shape of the cavity which it is pro
posed to illuminate. Mirrors can alst
be fastened to the lamp and light re-
Elected to places whore the lamp can
not be introduced. To prevent thu
too great diffusion Of light and tn
radiation of heat, the lamp may b.
partially covered with hard rubbe
or gutta-percha case.
When tho lamp is placed in the moutl
of q patient every portion Of the throat
even to the lowest parts, and every re
cess of the upper places can be plainl,
seen. This will greatly facilitate tn
work of surgery and dentistry, and en-
able an operator to conceive q muc
more thorough diagnosis of case tina
the use of any other means prevlousl
known. Placed behind the teeth. tn
intense lightrsnders not only tho teeth
but even the gum above, highly tran
sparent. II tho teeth are good and un
decayed, no lines will be visible-bu
the presence of a filling or OF the mer
beginning of decay may ut once be seer
When the lamp is placed within tn
mouth and the lips are closed, the entlr
front structure of the mouth is brough
to view. The bono and tooth forms
!! tons are easily discoverable, and eve
the interior of the nasal passages. L
the same way the instrument is c
great value in the treatment OF obstetr
cal disease, and in studies of tn
, stomach. No unpleasant sensation
are experienced by patients. even l
, cases of protracted use, no other ettet
being noticeable than that which TO
: lows the drinking of a hot cup of coffee
! The difficulties in bringing this appl
cation of the electric Zig hit to practices
use were due principally to the fat
| that none of the electrical manufactul
ing companies in America mako th
, right kind of lamp, MIR. Starr trie
. them all, and not getting what b
: wanted in the very best shape, WI
compelled to 20 TO Europe. More tina
. score of different lamps. carbons an
. tried before the best was found. Phil
| HeIsokfa presS