Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-14

niquet. steel band tourniquet with
plug attachment, the invention of Henry
w. Plummer of Augusta, Me.
| Most Of the civilized world today is CIV
| ing it's undivided attention to the restora-
ton Of peace and its esta blishment on
an indestructible basis and to that end
every device for the successful operation
of war measures. from the oldest known
to the latest invention in the death
dealing line, is in use. 1t is equally
true that every device and inven-
ton known to the world for the
amelioration and relief of pain and
suffering caused by the war is being used
by the doctors, surgeons and nurses who
! follow SO closely the footsteps of the de-
stroyers, including the multitudes enlist
ed under the banner of the Red Cross.
It is to add to the latter list that this ar
ticle Is written, presenting to YOU. to the
sufferers, the doctors, surgeons and nurses
a device that bids fair to become known
as one of the great inventions or discov-
! cries for the saving of life-smple but
! effective in application and use, easily I'M
derstood and used by the layman as we'll
as the expert. the emergency tourniquet
invented by Henry W. Plummer Of, Au-
gusta, Maine, U. S. a.
! Mr.. Plummer, who is a native Of Au-
gusta, was always inclined toward the
study Of anatomy and surgery, beginning
the study some years ago with DR. l.. j.
Croker of the Capital city, when his Of
flee was located in the Bennett block on
State street, remaining a year with the
doctor The old style Of tourniquets,
which remains practically the same as of
years ago, attracted his attention and
ever remained in his mind the idea Of
Something different" something more
easily and more quickly applied in cases
Of emergency, when the control of the
loss Of blood might mean the life of the
injured person. That idea kept returning
and returning, until one day not many
months ago, the plan Of the thing came
like flash and it was simply matter of
working out and putting into practical
shape.
! That did not take long and the illustra-
lions with this article show nicely the
shape, construction and method of appli-
cation.
The tourniouet consists of few parts
The largest is the steel band which sur
rounds the injured member or part. tt is
made of 14-1oO0ths steel highly polished
one end fastened to a block and the other
passing through a slot in the same block
making a circle The band is perforated
at intervals, the cut piece of metal form
ing knob. being bent outward and serv-
ing to catch on a projection in the block
slot in the same manner as handcuT Is
locked. holding it absolutely tight and
rigid wherever set The block is Of
composition metal, shown in the cut with
the screw plug attachment. 1t is strong
enough to stand any pressure that may
be necessary, but is not bulky or in the
way. The cqmpactness Of the whole de-
vice is one Of it's chief merits.
The plug, which does the business is
seen on the inside or underneath part Of
the screw. 1t is attached to the screw by
a swivel. allowing freedom of movement
in adjusting itself to the requirements Of
the surface to which it is applied The
screw passes through the hole in the
block, which is so constructed that the
screw may be instantly pushed downward
into place and exerting the required pres
sure, catching on the grooved channels, or
may be slowly screwed down in the ordi-
nary manner; or If, after applied, more
or less pressure is needed. it can in the
latter way be frightened or released.
It will be noted that two forms of pres
sure are derived from the application OF
this tourniquet. that OF the steel band
and that of the plug attachment. 1t has
been found from actual tests that 1t may
be applied to practically every part OF
the body.
It is easily seen that it is indestructible.
is easier to apply than any other. tourni-
cuets, can be frightened or loosened at the
operators will. being still under perfect
control It can be applied to the arteries
Of the neck and no other bandage has
been made to meet that emergency.
It can control the blood flow by the
banding pressure alone. or you can band
tightly enough to hold the plug in place
over the artery, leaving the minor circu-
lation unimpeded, therefore causing no
III effect to the limb below the control as
in cases where the ordinary bandage Is
applied, shutting off all circulation and IN
many instances causing loss of the limp.
! It can be used for controlling the blood
flow and loss during the operation FOR
the removal Of tonsils and also for the
transmission Of fluids into the veins, or
for taking blood pressure.
| One man stylc,i it The surgeon before
the surgeon gets sthere," because 1t can
| be applied by the injured man himself
and what would that mean in the
trenches! One OF its greatest features Is
the fact that It might remain In use for
hours without the danger OF gangrene
through shutting of the circulation ex-
cept at the point Of control.
It's uses and adaptability ensures Its IN
stallment in the emergency kits or outfits
of all steam and electric railroads. manu-
featuring plants in the operating room.
where the surgeon can ease up on the
banding and the pressure on the artery
to see If the ligating has been successfully
done. and for first aid for the wounded on
the firing line where the wounded may