The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-01-05

what Modern Invention Has Done 10
Help the Feeble--The Motor
Hath Chair.

SohNcnienceS evolved IN this day OF
progress for the special benefit of in
dlyiduals nothing quite equals the
| piNoted bed, that enables even the
most handicapped individual to lie
Hat on his or her back and yet en-
JOY all the effects of change OF po-
alton. This new invention is just an
ordinary lightly built metal bed, with
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 delightful sense of movement
and change without really altering
the position In the least, says the
Washington Star.
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 we'll and strong.
This delightful bed Is fitted with spe-
cial springs and castors, so artfully
adjusted that IL can be pushed about
room without ever so slightly Jar
ring the occupant, and yet affording
constant variety of location. Even
the relief of occupying different rooms
from time to time is now possible,
relief which means so much in cheer
fulness and strength 10 sick folks
who have 10 endure long siege OF
invalidism. While the pivoted bed has
been made especially for those who
are forced TO n prolonged rest on
their backs, there have been many inn
provements put forth lately in be-
half of the invalid, who need suffer
no such test OF endurance and pa
thence, but can sit up little for
meals and friends.
The old method in giving n patient
an erect position in bed was the lib
eral use OF pillows TO form a back
rest, else 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 cush-
toned, built high enough TO afford
head supporter, has tufted projecting
ears hha the coy granny chair. 10
cut of any drauBl-4~ and well cnsh-
toned arms extend on bon. -saas 10
give the patient comfort for her ei.
bows. Better still, TINS back rest is
so arranged that the invalid can sit
or partially recline at any angle and
govern the position herself by mere
~ working "a small lever at one side,
which throws the brond supporting
board backward or forward, ms 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 sick person, who Will
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 artistically ornamented ms those
now purchasable. Really charming
ones are made OF mahogany inlaid
| with lighter woods in Chippendalc
patterns; others are treated with dec
Grafton done with hot irons and the
design then colored, and excellent
ones there are for use both as meal
trays, card, chess, backgammon and
dinner stands are now being made OF
wicker. stained green, brown or q
cheerful cherry red, with pockets al
the corners and along the sides into
which the salt, pepper boxes, etc, vii
ht and prevent that irritating rest
lessncss with which inanimatc oh
iccts are sometimes possessed.
For the bedridden invalid wh'
creeps out TO the comparative free
dom of soft life there are possibilitie
OF great relief i'm the new tufte'
spring couch, the long seat and hea'
rest OF which is artfully hinged e
admit of many changes In the sicl
persons position. II can be adjustc'
10 support a weak back, 90 raise o
lower the head and the whole cush
toned top OF the sofa can be ais
lifted off 10 slip into wheeled spina
chair that the patient occupies Will
stretched at full length.
Excellent as these contriyances ar,
they pale, however. almost into IL
significance beside the value and VII
the OF the inyalid's motor carriag'
!. These were first built in England, bu
: are now being made in this countr,
: The carriage itself is built very neai
IL on the lines OF an ample easy bat
: chair. or yet more nearly on the mode
1 of an exceedingly small low-swun
. phaeton. There Is n hood 20 pull u
protectingly above and about the i
valid's chauffeur. large wool apro
draws mp and buttons smoothly ov'
the knees and the motive power ar
steering gear are stored forward N
. der the graceful curying dashboard.
!, Enough gas or electric power ca
. be stored in one OF these little ca
rIaQes 20 last for 10 or 10 miles m
what with specially tempered spring
N rubber tires and carefully consider