An Improved Electric or Galvanic Sponge or Pad for Stimulating and Curative Purposes.
Year: 1888

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electric or Galvanic Sponge or Pad for Stimulating
and Curative Purposes.
I, RANDAL CRESSWELL of 5 Bedford place, Russell Square, London, Merchant,
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:
This invention is designed to supply an electric or galvanic sponge or pad for use
in ordinary water, capable of yielding a current of perceptible power, which can be
proportioned to the size of the sponge or pad or supplied in greater or less intensity
as required, and the power of which may be approximately indicated on its exterior.
Having acquired the Patent No. 4456% of this year, granted to Augustus
Collingridge, I have found in the practical working of that invention, that although
undoubtedly efficacious when used in conjunction with a saline or acidulated solution
as claimed, yet it is not sufficiently powerful for all requirements and is of little avail
when used in ordinary water. I have therefore experimented with a view to discover
a method of securing a more powerful electric current which can be combined with a
sponge or pad of absorbent material and which shall be adapted for use in ordinary
or other water, and be capable of adjustment or regulation, so that it can be applied
to the sponge or pad of the degree of strength preferred; and the power of which
being estimated, may be stated on a mark or ticket attached to the sponge or pad in
order that intending purchasers may be able to obtain a sponge or pad possessing the
amount of Electric power they require.
To effect this I employ within the battery that is to say between the plates of zinc
and silver forming the battery, to serve as the excitant, a layer of felt or other
absorbent material moistened with a saline or acidulated solution, to which a little
glycerine is added in order to prevent a too rapid evaporation.
I also use the metal plates when preferred in a bare or uncoated condition. I
construct this battery of various sizes according to the strength of current required,
and the size of the sponge or pad in which it is to be placed.
In constructing my metal plates I form them by preference of an oval or rounded
shape, that is to say without angles or corners so as to avoid angular projections
within the sponge.

page_text: The dissimilar metal plates are each connected to an insulated wire which terminates
in a metal knob outside the sponge.
To hold these wires and knobs in position I employ a strip or band of india-rubber
or some other suitable material. The wires pass through the alternate ends of this
band and the knobs are immediately outside it.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. 1. shows a section of a sponge with my battery in position.
Fig. 2. shows an end view of the battery.
A is the sponge.
B is the battery.
CC are the insulated wires."
DD is the india-rubber strip.
EE are the terminal balls.
F is the zinc plate.
G is the silver plate.
It is the layer of felt.
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 ;
1. The combination of a sponge or pad with the battery B formed of plates of
dissimilar metals devoid of angies, and the excitant H moistened with a solution of
acid or salt and glycerine, and the india-rubber strip D as herein explained and
set forth.
2. In a galvanic or electric sponge or pad, the use of an exterior label or mark
denoting the approximate power of the battery within the sponge or pad.
Dated this 8th day of September Iddd.
I is the myer of C10.
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 ;
1. The combination of a sponge or pad with the battery B formed of plates of
dissimilar metals devoid of angies, and the excitant H moistened with a solution of
acid or salt and glycerine, and the india-rubber strip D as herein explained and
set forth.
2. In a galvanic or electric sponge or pad, the use of an exterior label or mark
denoting the approximate power of the battery within the sponge or pad.
S. S. BROMHEAD,
97, Newgate Street, E.C.,
Patent Agent.