Improvements in or relating to Pads or Bandages for Horses and other Animals.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 12th Apr., 1899-Accepted, 2nd Dec., 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Pads or Bandages for Horses and
other Animals.
We, DR. BÉLA PLÓSZ, Professor of the Veterinary Academy of Budapest,
Hungary, and ALEXANDER A. WAUGH, M.R.C.V.S., of Tata, Hungary, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
The present invention relates to a pneumatic pad or bandage for horses and
other animals which perfectly answers all purposes, and is a great improvement
on the shin and similar bandages as used at the present time; and whereby the
sinews and parts desired are subject to an even, elastic and soft pressure. The
bandages or pads used at the present time are made of wool, cloth and the like
and are fastened by means of straps around the part to be bound. To this manner
of fastening there are many drawbacks, the strongest pressure is exercised where
the buckle or fastening of the strap is placed, while the pressure on more distant
places is very much less; a double drawback results from this, inasmuch as the
greatest pressure is produced on the shin bone (for at this point only can the
buckle be securely fastened) while on the other hand the bandage must be drawn
out of shape by such an arrangement, whereby it becomes loose and consequently
comparatively useless. Then with regard to sewn bandages, in consequence of the
rapid extension of the cloth they also become loose and very soon useless.
Apart from these drawbacks the old form of bandages only appear to answer
the object desired. As can be seen from Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings,
the sinews of the leg are situated so as to be acted upon only partly by the
bandage (Figure 2), while, for instance, the sinew (g) (Gleichbein band) and the
hoof boneflexor (hufbeinbeuger) are situated in the lateral recesses of the shin
bone in such a manner that the first cannot be affected at all and the latter only
to a small degree, by the bandage. As shown in Figure 2, representing the cross
section of a shin bone, the pressure of the ordinary form of bandage is principally
borne by the front shin bone and the rear bone while the lateral portions and the
sinews lying in the recesses of the sides of these parts are not touched at all.
These drawbacks are met by the present invention by constructing a bandage
consisting of an air cushion or cushions which will exercise on the required parts
a soft and yielding yet firm pressure entering into and conforming to the shape
of the recesses of the leg and remaining securely in place without the assistance
of special means for fastening, and consequently without the use of buckles or the
like. In the accompanying drawing, for example, two forms of constructions
are represented, (Figures 3 and 4) in the first the bandage or pad 6 consisting of
any suitable material (leather, cloth etc.) is provided with an air cushion k adapted
to pass entirely or partly round the leg, while in the other construction (Figure 4)
two cushions are shown, which are adapted to enter the lateral recesses of the
shin (Figure 5). Of course more air cushions or cushions of special shape may
be provided as required for those parts which require special attention and treat-

page_text: ment. The bandage forming the object of this invention may be provided also
at only one place with an air cushion for the purpose of firmly securing the
bandage in place, and pressing it against the spot upon which it is desired to
exercise pressure.
For fastening these bandages the simplest means may be employed, as for
instance, as shown in the drawing, by lacing or buttoning or any other means,
inasmuch as the bandage or pad becomes firmly fixed after forcing air into the
cushions through the valves m of known construction, these cushions acting. to
extend the bandages or hold it firmly in place. As regards the effects of the
bandages it may be observed that the effect or pressure exercised by them when
the animal is standing, in which position the sinews are acted upon to the greatest
extent, is greatest; while the pressure changes with the movements of the animal
when walking according as to whether he weight of the body is borne by the
sinews or not. In consequence of this rapidly changing pressure and of the con-
tinued change of position of the sinews caused by the movement of the leg, the
parts acted upon are subjected to a beneficial and very effective pressure by the
bandages. The bandages may be formed in one or more materials. It is however
advantageous to make the cushions forming the inner lining or surface of the
well known balloon material i.c., of strong air proof silk, although other air
proof material may be employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. A bandage or pad for horses or other animals consisting of one or more air
cushions arranged on the inner side of the bandage substantially as described.
2. A pneumatic bandage or pad for horses or other animals substantially as
described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
101 1
P
1000