The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-22
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One Of the newest adaptations q
electric illumination is The shape d 8
very small lantern, which can beintro-s
duced into the mouth, throat, and In
some cases, the stomach, for the purpose
of aiding surgical and dental opSrataonS
which can not be carried ON without Light
and for which Il has been extremely
difficult therefore, to obtain light BY.
mirrors or other means. Experiments
have been making for some years TO
perfect apparatus Of this kind. Since
1881 E. T. Starr, an expert in electrical:
science, has been working at intervals
upon minute electrical lamps in his
rooms, in Whites dental establishment.
at Twelfth and Chestnut streets, and at
last has succeeded in getting highly
satisfactory results. Patients have
been obtained. The instrument has
been critically examined by dentists
and surgeons and has already been
used in practice.
The lamp primarily consists Of .
delicate glass bulb, from which the air
has been withdraw and rs nearly .
perfect vacuum created as possible. The
bulb varies in shape, being spheroidal,
Hat and compass shaped, and also CYL
indrical, with conical termination.
Through the thin walls of the lantern
run the conducting wires, connected by
q carbon arc, on which the electricity
centers, and which thus becomes the
place Of light. The glass lantern is
very small, the cylindrical shaped b.
ing 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-quar-
ter of an inch thick, and has a diame-
ter of three-quarters of an inch, while
the spheroidal seems scarcely larger
thar. a good-sized pea. The lamp is at
tached to handle, from to inches
long and about half an inch thick,
through which run the wires conneut-
ing with the battery. The handle and
the lamp can be separated, and thus but
one handle is necessary for use with the
different forms of the lamps. The in
tensity of the power, and hence the
brilliancy of the arc, can be regulated
by moveing along the handle ring
which connects with the wires. The
handle has several joints, and its posi-
tion con he arranged in almost any way
SO as to adapt it to the shape Of the
cavity which it is proposed to illumi-
nate. Mirrors can also be fastened to the
lamp and light reflected to places where
the lamp cannot be introduced. To pre-
vent the too great diffusion of light and
the radiation of heat, the lamp may be
partially covered with hard rubber or
gutta-percha case.
When the lamp il placed in the mouth
of patient every portion of the throat,
even to the lowest parts, and every re-
cess of the upper places can be plainly
seen. This will greatly facilitate the
work of surgery and dentistry. and en-
able an operator to conceive much
more thorough diagnosis ota case than
the use of any other means previously
known. Placed behind the teeth, the
intense light renders not only the teeth,
but even the gum above, highly trans
parent. II the teeth are good and un-
decayed no lines will be visible but the
presence of filling or of the mere be-
ginning of decay may at once be seen.
When the lamp is placed within the
mouth and the lips are closed the en-
tire front structure of the mouth is
brought to view. The bone and tooth
formations are easily discoverable, and
even the interior of the nasal passages.
In the same way the instrument is Of
great value in the treatment of obstet.
rical diseases, and in studies of the
stomach. No unpleasant sensations
are experienced by patients, even in
cases of protracted use, no other effect
being noticeable than that which fol.
lows the drinking of q hot cup Of
coffee.
The difficulties of bringing this applica.
tion of the electric light to practical use
were due principally 10 the fact that
none of the electrical manufacturing
companies in America could make the
right kind of q lamp. Mr.. Starr tried
them all and, not getting what he want
ed in the very best shape, was compell-
ed to go to Europe. More than score
of different lamps, carbons and means
of conveying power had to be tried be-
fore the best were efound.-Philadelph
Press.