Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 21st July, 1887
Complete Left; 22nd Mar., 1888
Complete-Accepted, 15th June, -1888
I, MURIEL MAITLAND of No. 6, Grosvenor Street, London, W. Gentlewoman,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My Invention which relates to the application of electricity to medicated vapour
baths, has for its object the alleviation of the distressing feelings of weakness or
exhaustion usually experienced by a patient after having had a vapour bath.
It it generally admitted that medicated vapour baths have most beneficial effects in
cases of incipient, as well as chronic rheumatism, gouty enlargement of the joints,
obesity and other ailements under the ordinary treatment, but, with the attendant
disadvantage of extreme lassitude and weakness, to overcome which symtons, I find
in practice that by applying a stream of electricity through the tissues of the human
frame, during the time the patient is in the bath, the distressing symptons above
referred to, are obviated, and renewed strength is imparted to the whole frame; the
patient experiencing renewed strength & vigor.
In carrying out my Invention, 1 adapt by means of wires and suitable connections,
an ordinary induction coil and constant battery to the vapor bath, one wire from the
secondary coil of said induction coil, being attached to one or both of the metal
bearings fixed on the interior sides of the bath, the other wire being attached by
means of a screw connection to a metallic foot pan in the interior of the bath. The
metal bearings above referred to, are devised for the purpose of holding a metal rod
or bar in such a position, and at such a height in the interior of the bath, as shall be
conducive to the comfort of the patient under treatment, or said bearing may be
formed with a graduated incline to suit patients of different statures.
The induction coil (or if it is preferred to employ a constant battery alone,) is
provided with a graduated switch, by means of which the amount of current to be
used, is proportioned to the requirements of the special ailment to be treated, and
according to the physical strength of the patient under treatment.
1
Ր Լ 1 1007
JAMES STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.

page_text: I, MURIEL MAITLAND of No. 6 Grosvenor Street London, W. Gentlewoman, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement
•
My invention relates to the application of electricity to hot air or vapor baths, and
has for its object the alleviation of the distressing symptoms of weakness and
exhaustion usually experienced by a patient after partaking of a
bath..
vapor
In order that my Invention may be the better understood I have appended the
accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the
vapor bath arranged according to my invention with the doors open, and Figure 2 is
a longitudinal sectional elevation of the same. Figure 3 shows the inductorium and
Figure 4 illustrates a hair or flesh brush used in conjunction with the vapor bath
aforesaid.
In carrying out my Invention I employ a vapor bath A of the ordinary shape and
construction provided with a seat a at the back thereof, beneath which is or are
arranged one or more gas jets b Figure 2. Surrounding these gas jets I place a
screen B of wire net work, in order to prevent the too close approach of any
combustible material to the lighted burners, in addition to which I arrange a wire
guard C beneath, and in front of the seat, which serves to prevent the bath towel
(usually laid upon the seat and hangs in front thereof) from being kicked
too close to the gas burners b.
or moved
Upon the base of the bath at D is permanently fixed a metal plate to serve as one
of the electrodes, upon which rests a foot bath E, formed either of metal or of
earthenware or any other suitable material, into the bottom of which latter is inserted
a metal plate for conveying the electric current to the water and thence to the body of
the patient.
On each side of the wooden bath is fixed diagonally a rack F Figure 2,
upon which rests a metal rod f. Figure 1, which serves as another electrode, and
upon which under some circumstances the hands of the patients would rest. For
the treatment of nervous disorders when it is desirable that the current of electricity
should be directed through the spinal column, and which is also applicable to the
treatment of muscular rheumatism, to sciataca and like ailments, I insert in a recess G
Figure 1, formed in the back of the bath, or between the skins g Figure 2 of which
the back may be formed, a vertical rod é carrying a jointed arm d, at the extremity
of which is secured a pad e of any suitable material, preferably interwoven with fine
platinum wire, so that said pad may be employed with advantage either in a moist or
dry condition. Pads or equivalents of varying sizes, shapes and material may be
employed to suit varying circumstances. The jointed arm d is provided with a
regulating screw, by means of which the pad e or other appliance may be conveniently
directed to any part of the back or arms.

page_text: At Figure 4 is illustrated a flexible metallic hair or flesh brush H, the back and
handle of which are made of any suitable material, and hinged at various points h, to
allow of its assuming various forms and of covering a larger surface of the skin
when applied thereto, than is possible with brushes as hitherto usually made and used.
In combination with the device above described, I employ an inductorium J, and
battery K of any suitable type for transmitting a vibratory current of electricity to
the patient, from either the primary or secondary circuit thereof, or, under some
circumstances I may administer a constant current of electricity, obtained direct from
any suitable type of constant battery; said currents being varied in their strength
by the employment of a suitable switch, a seperate switch being interposed in the
electrical circuit to allow of the direction of the current being varied according to
requirements.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
FirstThe combined electrical hot air or vapor bath substantially as herein
described and shown.
Second In the combined electrical hot air or vapor bath referred to in the
preceding claim, the adaptation thereto of an inductorium in conjunction with a
battery, or of a battery alone for administering a current of electricity to a patient
partaking of a hot air or vapor bath substantially as herein set forth.
Third-The adaptation to an electrical hot air or vapor bath such as herein
described of an adjustable metallic hand rail, and the insertion of a metal plate in the
bottom of the bath substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
:
Fourth In the combined electrical hot air or vapor bath referred to in my
first claim the adaptation thereto of a jointed arm carrying at its extremity a pad e
and moving upon a vertical rod sunk or recessed in the back of the bath substantially
as and for the purposes herein described and set forth.
Fifth-In the improved electrical hot air or vapor bath referred to in my first
claim the combination therewith of a pad of any suitable material with which is
interwoven fine metal wire preferably platinum substantially as and for the purposes
herein set forth.
Sixth-In the improved combined electrical hot air or vapor bath referred to in
my first claim the adaptation thereto and employment therewith of a flexible hair or
flesh brush substantially as herein set forth.
Seventh-In the improved combined electrical hot air and vapour bath referred
to in the first claim the mode of and means employed for varying the direction of the
electrical current substantially as herein set forth.
Eighth-In an electrical hot air or vapor bath the employment of wire guards or
screens B, C, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth and shown.
JAMES
STEVENSON,
Gray's Inn Chambers,
20, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agent for Applicant.