Evening star., 1900-11-17
A DIS FOR VALIDS
VARIETY OF ADJUSTABLE
BEDS AND BACK RESTS.
What Modern Invention Has Done to
Help the Fecble-The Motor
Bath Chair.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star
OF all the admirable comforts and conve-
| niences evolved in this day of progress for
the special benefit of invalids nothing quite
equals the pivoted bed. that enables even
the most handicapped individual to lie fat
on his or her back and yet enjoy all the
effect of change of position This new in
Vention is just an ordinary lightly built
metal bed, with a springy wire mattress,
that, by touch of the nurses hand, can
be raised or lowered. tipped this way or
that, giving the invalid prisoner all the de-
lightful sense of movement and change
without really altering the position in the
least.
This is a blessing to persons with broken
limbs and injured backs, who are booked
for an over-long holiday in bed, and who
dare not move, as they hope to grow well
and strong. This delightful bed is fitted
with special springs and castors. so art
fully adjusted that it can be pushed about
room without ever so slightly jarrlng the
occupant. and yet affording a constant va
riety In location. Even the relief of occu-
pylng different rooms from time to time is
now possible. relief which means so much
in cheerfulness and strength to sick folks
who have to endure long siege of invalid
ism. While the pivoted bed has been made
especially for those who are forced to a
prolonged rest on their backs, there have
been many improvements put forth lately
no such test Of endurance and patience,
but can sit up little for meals and friends.
Luxurious Back Rest.
The old method in giving a patient an
erect position IN bed was the liberal use Of
pillows to form a back rest else a hard
board with an easel support, was placed
behind the sick person, pillow put on this
and the body was propped into just the pos
ture that threw all the strain on the base
Of the spine Now an excellent appliance
has been brought out that does away with
Pillows entirely The new back rest for use
in bed is cushioned. built h gh enough 10
afford a head supporter, has tufted projecting
ears. like the cuzy granny char, TO cut of
any draughts, and weil-cushioned arms ex-
tend on both sides. to give the patient
comfort for her elbows. Better STILL this
back rest Is SO arranged that the invalid
can sit or partially recune at any angle and
govern the position herself by merely work
ing small lever at one side, which throws
the broad supporting board backward or
forward, as The case may be.
These details in mechanism may not seem
important to the strong and sturdy, but
they mean everything in the comfort Of a
sick person, who viii also find the greatest
contentment in the use Of the four-legged
Smartly ornamented meal tray that is now
perfected for invalid use. There have been
meal trays in use before this time, but none
SO cleverly provided with conveniences nor
so cheerfully and artstically ornamented
as those now purchaSable Rally charm
ing ones are made of mahogany in,aid with
lighter woods in Chippendale patterns; 9TH
ers are treated with decorat ton done with
hot irons and the design then colored, and
excellent ones there are for use both
meal trays, card, chess backgammon and
checkerboardS.
Exceedingly pretty dinner stands are now
being made of wicker, stained green, brown
or cheerful cherry red. with pockets at
the corners and along the sides into which
the salt, pepper boxes, etc, will fit and
prevent that irritating restlessness with
which inanimate objects are sometimes
possessed.
An Adjustable Sofa.
For the bedridden invalid who creeps out
to the comparative freedom of sofa life
there are possibilities of great relief in The
new tufted spring couch, the long seat and
head rest of which is artfully hinged to ad-
NIT of many changes in the sick persons
position. 1t can be adjusted to support a
weak back, to raise or lower the head and
the whole cushioned top of the sofa can
be also lifted off to slip into a wheeled
spinal chair that the patient occupies while
stretched at full length
Fresh Air for InvaIids.
Excellent as these contrivances are they
pale, however, almost into insgnifcance
beside the value and virtue of the invalid's
motor carriage. These were first built in
England. but are now being made in this
country. The carriage Itself Is built very
nearly on the lines of an ample easy bath
chair, or yet more nearly on the model of
an exceedingly small low-swung phaeton.
There is a hood to pull up protectingly
above and about the invalid chauffeur, a
large wool apron draws up and buttons
smoothly over the knees and the motive
power and steering gear are stored forward
under the graceful curving dashboard
Enough gas or electric power can be
stored in one of these little carriages to last
for ten or twelve miles, and what with
specially tempered springs. rubber tires and
carefully considered cushions the occupant
of such a vehicle Is free to come and go
at will about garden park roads with
out the least iolting or discomfort from the