IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLINTS FOR SURGICAL PURPOSES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEETS OF PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATIONING
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Hides, of Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square,
in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLINTS
FOR SURGICAL PURPOSES, AND IN THE MANUFACTURE OF SHEETS OF
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Hides at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th September 1880.
HENRY HIDES, of Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLINTS FOR SURGICAL PURPOSES, AND IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SHEETS OF MATERIAL SUITABLE FOR FORMING SUCH SPLINTS."
The Invention has for its object improvements in splints for surgical purposes,
and in the manufacture of sheets of material suitable for forming such splints, and
relates to that class of splints which are made of felt saturated with cement or
stiffening material, and sometimes lined with chamois leather.
Surgical splints of this character as manufactured hitherto have possessed the
objectionable property of retarding or preventing expiration, and have been some-
what expensive to produce, and the object of my present Invention is to render such
splints sufficiently porous to allow of proper and healthy cutaneous expiration, and
also to cheapen the manufacture thereof.
For this purpose, in order to cheapen the manufacture of the splint, I dispense
with the lining of chamois leather hitherto employed, and I take a sheet of felt,
either plain or shaped to any desired pattern, and I perforate such felt to such an
extent as to render it sufficiently porous for the purpose for which it is intended to
be used. I then saturate the felt with a hardening or stiffening solution, preferably
composed of the ingredients hereinafter named, and in about the following proportions,
namely:-Borax, six grains; gum benzoin, two scruples; and gum sandarac or juniper,
five and a half ounces, dissolved in about one pint of methylated finish.
Or any other suitable hardening or stiffening solution may be employed for this
purpose.
The splint, if a shaped piece of felt has been treated, may be fitted to the limb
of the patient shortly after saturation and while it is in a plastic state.

page_text: Or properly shaped splints may be mado in the manner hereinbefore described
and allowed to harden, such splints being rendered plastic by heat when required
for use.
Or the perforated felt may be saturated with the solution in sheets or lengths
and allowed to harden, a piece of sufficient size being taken from the bulk and
rendered plastic by the aid of heat when required for use. A splint of the character
herein before described when applied to the limb will readily adapt and mould
itself thereto, and on the spirit evaporating, or on cooling, will become perfectly
hard, the perforations in all cases remaining free and clear of the cement or hardening
material.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Hides in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 16th March
1881.
HENRY HIDES, of Mortimer Street, Cavendish Square, in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN SPLINTS FOR SURGICAL PURPOSES, AND IN THE
MANUFACTURE OF SHEETS OF MATERIAL SUITABLE FOR FORMING SUCH SPLINTS."
The Invention has for its object improvements in splints for surgical purposes,
and in the manufacture of sheets of material suitable for forming such splints, and
relates to that class of splints which are made of felt saturated with cement or
stiffening material, and sometimes lined with chamois leather.
Surgical splints of this character as manufactured hitherto have possessed the
objectionable property of retarding or preventing expiration, and have been some-
what expensive to produce, and the object of my present Invention is to render such
splints sufficiently porous to allow of proper and healthy cutaneous expiration, and
also to cheapen the manufacture thereof.
For this purpose, in order to cheapen the manufacture of the splint, I dispense
with the lining of chamois leather hitherto frequently employed (and necessary in
splints hitherto produced, for the purpose of presenting a porous surface to the limb),
and I take a sheet of felt, either plain or shaped to any desired pattern, and I
perforate such felt by any known means to such an extent as to render it sufficiently
porous to allow of proper and healthy expiration, as required for the purpose for
which it is intended to be used. I then saturate the felt with a hardening or
stiffening solution, preferably composed of the ingredients hereinafter named, and
in about the following proportions:-Borax, six grains; gum benzoin, two scruples;
gum sandarac or juniper, five and a half ounces; methylated finish, one pint.
In preparing this stiffening solution the gums must be dissolved in the methylated
finish, and thoroughly incorporated therewith by stirring or agitating.
Or any other suitable hardening or stiffening solution, or material capable of
drying rapidly when first applied, and hardening quickly after having been
rendered plastic by the aid of heat as herein after described, may be employed for
this purpose.
I apply the stiffening solution to the felt by brushing it over the surface thereof,
or by steeping or dipping the felt therein as may be most convenient.
The splint, if a shaped piece of felt has been treated with the solution, may, if
desired, be fitted to the injured limb of the patient shortly after saturation, and
while it is in a plastic state.
Or properly shaped splints may be made in the manner hereinbefore described and
allowed to harden, such splints being rendered plastic by the aid of heat in any
form, but preferably by steeping them in hot water when required for use.
Or the felt may be perforated and afterwards saturated with the solution in
sheets of convenient size, or in long lengths in the manner hereinbefore described,
and then allowed to harden in the form of a roll or in other convenient form for
storage, a piece of sufficient size being taken from the bulk fashioned to any desired
shape, and rendered plastic by the aid of heat in the manner hereinbefore stated,
when required for use.
Or the felt may in some cases be perforated after it has been saturated with the
Bolution.
A splint of the character hereinbefore described which has just been saturated
with the solution, or which has been rendered plastic by the aid of heat, as
aforesaid, when applied to the limb will readily adapt and mould itself to the
peculiar shape thereof, and on the spirit evaporating, or on cooling, will become set

page_text: and perfectly hard, the perforations in all cases remaining free, and clear of the
cement or hardening material.
By the use of splints made according to the said Invention, a proper and healthy
cutaneous expiration is facilitated, instead of being retarded or prevented as
heretofore.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention and the mode in which
the same may be carried into effect, I would have it understood that what I claim
is,―
First. Manufacturing splints for surgical purposes of felt saturated with a
hardening or stiffening solution, and perforated substantially as herein described
and for the purpose stated.
Second. Manufacturing material suitable for forming splints for surgical purposes
of sheets or lengths of felt, saturated with a hardening or stiffening solution and
perforated, substantially as herein described and for the purpose stated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Hides, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Fifteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty one.