Improved Method and Apparatus for Producing Sweating Baths by Means of Dry Heat.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 30th June, 1891-Accepted, 19th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method and Apparatus for Producing Sweating Baths by
Means of Dry Heat.
We FERDINAND RIEMER, Merchant, of 37 Oranienstrasse, Berlin and PAUL
HANNS, Gentleman, of Halbe, Germany do hereby declare the nature of our inven-
tion and the manner in which the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to a method of curing rheumatism, gout, apoplexi and
many other diseases caused by bad elements in the blood, or superfluous moisture
in the system or insufficient circulation of the blood in the affected part, by
sweating the member or part of the body in question by dry heat.
Up till now steam has been employed for the most part for producing sweating
baths. For instance boxes have been employed into which the whole body is
placed with the exception of the head, which projects through an aperture in the
upper part of the case. Steam is then let into the latter and the whole body
brought into a violent perspiration.
Applicant has found that in the case of steam baths it often occurs that the
body enclosed does not actually sweat, the water running from the same being
simply steam condensed by the introduction of a cooler body into a tolerably high
temperature. Further it is generally acknowledged that whereas one part of the
body may derive benefit from being exposed to an excessively high temperature,
another part may be injured thereby.
The method forming the object of the present invention consists in exposing
the affected part of the body only to a dry heat and thus bringing such part only
to a violent perspiration.
I perform this method by means of a box or case of sheet metal, having a plate
of magnesite, or other suitable material which does not readily conduct heat,
arranged a few inches from the bottom and perforated with holes of about an inch
in diameter. The apparatus is provided with suitable aperture for the introduction
of the affected leg or arm or trunk of the body, which opening is adapted to close
pretty closely round the member inserted, to prevent the escape of the hot air.
Underneath the bottom of the box a lamp or other suitable means of producing
heat is arranged and thus the air in the box heated to the necessary extent.
temperature in the box may be controlled by a thermometer arranged on the top.
By this means I can obtain a perfectly dry heat in the said box up to 80 degrees
Centegrade in a comparatively short time. The affected member or part of the
body is then introduced into the case and allowed to remain therein as long as may
be necessary according to the nature of the complaint.
In the accompanying drawings
Fig. I is an elevation of an apparatus arranged for one leg,
Fig. I shows an apparatus adapted to receive the lower part of the trunk,
Fig. III is one for the reception of the whole trunk and
Fig. IV is a vertical section through an apparatus.
The
Referring to Figures I and IV, A is the shell made of suitable sheet metal and
having suitable opening or openings 11, for the reception of the affected member
or part of the body. a is a perforated magnesite plate arranged two or three
inches from the bottom of the box and serving the purpose of distributing the
heat, generated by the lamp L or other suitable source of heat arranged under-
neath the box. The leg or other affected member is introduced into the box
through the opening which is provided with a suitable flange and if desired with
a lining of some suitable material, adapted to close round the leg or other
member. By means of this arrangement a thoroughly dry heat is generated in

page_text: the box which will cause the part of the body in the interior to perspire, and draw
off all superfluous moisture in the same, causing the blood to circulate vigorously
through the same, whilst the other healthy or unaffected parts of the system will
remain entirely or almost entirely unaffected by the excessive heat.
The box is provided with a thermometer and also with an interior seat in such
cases where it is intended for the lower part of the trunk or for the whole trunk as
may be seen in Figures 2 and 3.
Having now described my invention and the manner of performing the same
what I claim is :-
1) The method of bringing various parts of the body in perspiration, by
bringing the affected part only into direct contact with dry heat generated in a
box from a source of heat outside the said box substantially as described.
2). A "sweating bath" for bringing various parts of the body to a perspiration
by means of dry heat, consisting of the box A having heat distributing plate a
perforated; said box having suitable apertures for the reception of the various
members or parts of the body in combination with a source of heat arranged
underneath and outside the box substantially as described and shown,
3) The method of and apparatus for producing a sweating bath substantially as
herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 30th day of June 1891.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.