The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-08-29
ANEW SURGICAL LAMP.

8ody.
One of the newest adaptations Of
electric illumination is the shape of q
very small lantern, which can be intro
dUced into the mouth, throat, and in
some cases, the stomach, for the purpose
Of aiding surgical and dental operations
which can not be carried on without light
and for which it 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. 7. 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 q
delicate glass bulb, from which the air
has been withdraw and as nearly a
perfect created as possible. The
bulb varies in shape, being %spheroidal,
fiat and compass shaped, and also cyl
indrical, with q 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 be-
ing scarcely half an inch in length. and
with o 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 q dame
ter of three-quarters of an inch, while
the .spheroidal seems scarcely larger
than.-a good-sized pea. The lamp is at
tached to q handle, from Z to 8 inches
long and about half On inch thick,
through which run the wires connect
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 q ring
which connects with the wires. The
handle has several joints, and it's posi-
ton ear be arranged in almost any way
so as to adapt it to the shape of the
cavity which it is proposed to illumi-
nate. Mirrors q 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 o hard rubber or
gutta-percha case. .
When thelamp is placed in the mouth
of o patient every portion of the throat,
even to the lowest parts, and every re-
cess of the upper places a be plainly
seen. This will greatly facilitate the
work of surgery and dentistry, and en-
able an operator to conceive a 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. If the teeth are good and I'M
decayed no lines will be visible but the
presence of filling Dr. 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-
blie lIOuU STRUCTURE Oh Gue NOUN 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 III
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 ii sapplica-
ton OF the electric light to practical use
We're due principally to the fact that
zone of the electrical manufacturing
companies in America could make the
right kind of q lamp. Mr.. Starr tried
themall, and, not getting what he want
ed in the very best shape, was compell-
ed to go to Europe. More than a score
of different lamps, carbons and means
OF conveying power had to be tried be-
fore the best were found.-Philadelphia
Press. T4