AN IMPROVED PNEUMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES IN AN ATTENUATED ATMOSPHERE
Year: 1867

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for
the Invention of "AN IMPROVED PNEUMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE TREATMENT
OF DISEASES IN AN ATTENUATED ATMOSPHERE."-A communication from
abroad by George Hadfield, of Cincinnati, in the State of Ohio, United
Sealed the 7th May 1867, and dated the 8th January 1867.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
8th January 1867.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED PNEUMATIC APPARATUS FOR THE
TREATMENT OF DISEASES IN AN ATTENUATED ATMOSPHERE," to be as follows:-
This Invention consists in constructing a light portable apparatus easily put
together and taken apart, and may be used for treating diseases in an
attenuated atmosphere.
The improved apparatus will obviate the necessity of using the bulky and
inconvenient apparatus heretofore used for that purpose.

page_text: The apparatus consists of a large receiver intended to accommodate the
entire body of the patient; it is oval in shape, and is composed of several
parts or sections. The base is made of wood or metal, and has a rim about
four inches high raised above and around it, in which is cut a small groove;
into the bottom (with an air-tight joint) is inserted the exhaust pipe; on
this base sets the conical case which is made in two parts. The framework is
covered with tin, and is provided with a collar fitting around the neck of the
patient. Over the whole.is fitted an india-rubber cloak with .an elastic collar,
which fits closely around the chin and face of the patient, and at the base is
bound close by a cord tied around the groove, thus rendering the entire
receiver perfectly air-tight.
The instruments for local applications are made of thin metal having india-
rubber rims where they are to be fitted against the skin and attached by a
flexible tube to the air pump. The exhaust is attached to the instruments,
and the case is drawn over the limb, either arm or leg, and the elastic band
fits it closely to the limb and prevents the entrance of air. The air pump is
connected with the base, and the patient is seated upon an adjustable stool.
The two parts of the conical case are fitted upon the base, and over the whole
is stretched the india-rubber cloak, which is fitted accurately about the face;
the air is then gradually exhausted by means of the pump; experiment can
alone show the extent to which this exhaustion should be carried, as one
patient can bear far more than another, and even with the same patient it
varies with atmospheric changes. Should it be carried too far the attendant
by opening a stop-cock will at once afford the requisite relief.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent Office ou
the 8th July 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County
of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Eighth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven,. in the thirtieth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant
unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Her special licence that I, the

page_text: said William Edward Newton, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
or such others as I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time, and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands,
and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED PNEUMATIC APPARATUS FOR
THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES IN AN ATTENUATED ATMOSPHERE," being a com-
munication to me from abroad, upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their,. or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed, .and. cause
the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent..
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Edward Newton,, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and. in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to say):-
The beneficial results of treating certain disorders, by exhaustion of air over
the surface of the skin of the patient has long been recognised by the medical
profession.
The present Invention consists in constructing a light portable apparatus
which can be easily put together and taken apart, and may be used for
treating diseases in an attenuated atmosphere. The improved apparatus will
obviate the necessity of using the bulky and inconvenient apparatus heretofore
employed for that purpose.
Fig. 1 in the accompanying Drawing is a view of the entire apparatus when
fitted for use, parts being cut away to show the internal structure;. Fig.. 2 is.
a section of the air pump showing the arrangement of the pipes and stop-cocks
for exhausting the air and re-admitting the same; Fig. 3 is a vertical section
of the receiver; Fig. 4 to 8 inclusive show various small. receivers intended
to be employed in local applications..
A is the air pump of ordinary construction, except that it has two pipes. C
and D opening into one another and closed by stop-cocks; the pipe C com-
municates with the receiver by means of a screw coupling and pipe E; the
pipe D opens into the air, and by opening its stop-cock the air is permitted to

page_text: re-enter the receiver when desired.
B is a large receiver intended to accom-
modate the entire body of the patient; this receiver is composed of several
parts or sections. The base F is made of wood or metal; it is oval, and has
a rim about four inches high raised above and around it, in which is cut a
small groove f¹; into the bottom (with an air-tight joint) is inserted the
pipe E, the base being raised on a block to permit this pipe to pass under it,
or it may be inserted in the side; on this base sets the conical case B which
is made in two parts, as shewn in Fig. 1; it has a base setting upon and
having a rim fitting within the base f. The framework G is covered with
tin H, and is provided with a collar fitting around the neck of the patient.
Over the whole is fitted an india-rubber cloak I with an elastic collar which
fits closely around the chin and face of the patient and comes down to the
base, and is bound close by a cord tied around the groove f¹, thus rendering
the entire receiver perfectly air-tight.
The instruments for local applications, as shown in Figures 4 to 8 inclusive,
are made of thin metal having india-rubber rims where they are to be fitted
against the skin, and attached by a flexible tube to the air pump. Fig. 4
shows the form proper for attachment to the ear; Fig. 5, to the penis;
Fig. 6, to the spinal column or other part of the body; Fig. 7, to the testicles;
and Fig. 8, to the limbs. In Fig. 8 the exhaust is attached at L, and the
case is drawn over the limb (either arm or leg), and the elastic band M fits it
closely to the limb and prevents the entrance of air.
In operating with this improved portable apparatus, it may be taken apart
for convenient transportation to the room of the patient. The air pump is
connected with the base, and the patient is seated upon an adjustable stool;
the two parts of the conical case B are fitted upon the base, and over
the whole is stretched the india-rubber cloak which is made fast at f³, and
fitted accurately about the face; the air is then gradually exhausted by means
of the pump; experiment can alone shew the extent to which this exhaustion
should be carried, as one patient can bear far more than another, and even
with the same patient it varies with atmospheric changes. Should it be
carried too far, the attendant by opening the stop-cock D will at once afford
the requisite relief.
I do not limit myself to the conical shape for the receiver, as a box may
be made (Fig. 9) of wood or metal of sufficient size to contain a person when
seated, as shown in Fig. 10. This box is entered through an opening in its
top which is surrounded by an upright flange a with a bead on its top; this
opening is provided with a cover which fits snugly within the flange a, and is

page_text: b
composed of two parts 6 and 61, which are united together by a sliding fastening
consisting of two tenons or tongues on the portion 6 which enter holes pre-
pared for the same in 6'; when these two cover sections are put together
there is an opening between them marked d for the neck of the patient; after
the patient is seated in the box a cape e which forms part of a hood e¹,
encloses the head, leaving the face alone exposed for breathing, as shown in
Figures 9 and 10. The cape e extends over the flanged opening, above
described, and is drawn tightly around the flange a by means of a suitable
band f, the ends of which are crossed after the parts are all adjusted in place
and affixed to the sliding plates 9, 9, which are moved by means of the
screws h, h, as shewn in Fig. 9. By means of the band f and the head
straps i, i, the box A can be made air-tight without any inconvenience to the
patient; cushions j,j, serve to protect the ears from painful pressure by the
head straps; the capes and hood should be made of india-rubber cloth. B is
a common air pump connected to the box A; C represents a dial plate
graduated on its face, and K an index hand or pointer which is attached to a
stem that carries a pulley m, which is enclosed by the box D affixed on one
side of the box A. Beneath the pulley m and at right angles to it is arranged
pulley n; from the pulley m depends a cordo carrying a weight p; this
cord passes over the pulley m and under the pulley n, and is attached to an
elastic head E, which is drawn tightly over the flanges s that surround the
opening F through the side of the box A. When the pump B is put in
motion the pressure of the external air will force the elastic head E inwards,
as shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 11, which will cause the index hand K to
move and show the pressure. Should the suction become too great the stop-
cock G is to be opened and air allowed to enter the box A until the patient is
relieved.
a
Having now described the Invention, which has been communicated to me
by my foreign correspondent, and having explained the manner of carrying
the same into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me by Letters Patent,
as aforesaid,
First, the portable apparatus, herein set forth, for treating diseases by
exhaustion of the atmosphere, I claim particularly the arrangement of a
receiver with a base F, and the adjustable frames G and sides H and flexible
india-rubber cloak I, constructed in the manner and for the purpose set forth.
Second, I claim the arrangement of an air pump A with two pipes C and
D, the pipe E, and a receiver B, composed of separate parts, and combined in
the manner and for the purpose set forth.

page_text: Third, I claim the cape e in combination with the box A, for the purpose
described.
Fourth, the arrangement for determining the pressure of the air in the
apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Eighth day of July, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
J. W. MOFFATT,
66, Chancery Lane.
W. E. NEWTON. (L.S.)