An Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Cure of Consumption
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Feb., 1896.
Complete Specification. Left, 14th Nov., 1895-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Cure of
Consumption.
I, CLEMENS DÖRR, of Germersheim, Germany, Architect, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to a method of and apparatus for the cure of consumption.
The method consists in acting by massage on the chest behind and in front of the
regions which cover the so called lung-points for the purpose of determining a
flow of blood towards the lungs. The massage operation is effected by means of a
shower-bath for instance or steam, water or air; jets of the particular substance
being directed under pressure on to the particular parts of the body. For this
purpose the upper part of the body is covered with a vest-like garment which is
provided with openings communicating with tubes which convey the substance to
the places where the jets are to strike the body.
The patient must be placed on a bed in such a position that the chest may be as
low as possible whilst the legs, arms and head are high up so as to determine a
flow of blood towards the lungs.
10th day of February 1896
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
An Improved Method of and Apparatus for the Cure of
Consumption.
I, CLEMENS DÖRR, of Germersheim on the Rhine, in the Kingdom of Bavaria,
German Empire, Municipal Architect, 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 :-
The present invention relates to a new process, which is chiefly intended for the
treatment of persons suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, and, is new and
peculiar as well, in regard to the manner of the operations to be undertaken for
Buch purpose, as to the apparatus to be applied therefor.
The new process proceeds from the known fact, that in persons affected by lung
disease the upper parts of the upper lobes, the so-called apexes are always attacked
first. These parts evidently suffer from a deficiency of blood, which is a natural
consequence of the upright attitude of the person, as owing to the action of gravi-
tation the blood tends more towards the lower parts of the lungs. The correctness of
this is proved by a similar appearance in anthropomorphous apes, which have
already partially adopted the erect attitude of man, whilst no such observation has

page_text: been made in regard to any other mammals whose backbones take a horizontal
position. According to the teaching of Professor Hans Buchner, of Munich
respecting the bactericidal action of the blood serum, however, the affection of the
upper parts of the lungs is to be attributed directly to their poorness of blood.
In the present invention the attempt is made to cure consumption by a corresponding
increased flow of blood to the upper parts of the lungs.
This is effected by greatly heating the upper part of the thorax with water,
steam, or air, as well as by massage of the upper part of the body in the direction
of the apexes of the lungs, whereby an increased flow of blood to the lungs is
obtained, and then by the simultaneous raising of the arms and legs or head, the
consequence of which is that the blood does not flow to these parts in the normal
manner, the blood is caused. to stream into the lungs where it is retained.
The accompanying drawings represent an apparatus constructed according to
this principle.
Figure 1, is a front view of the apparatus, with a patient undergoing treatment
placed therein.
Figure 1A, is a vertical section through the principal part of the apparatus.
Figure 2, is a side section of the same.
Figure 3 is a plan view.
Figures 4 and 5, are respectively front and side views of the vest-like covering
which forms one part of the apparatus, and is intended for use in the wrapping up
of the thorax.
In the present case the effect of the massage on the body is obtained by means
of a spray or jet-bath of water, steam, or air. The medium employed can be
heated by a suitable apparatus for application to the part of the body in question.
In consequence of its own weight or by means of a pump (B) the employed medium
is carried through the conduit pipe (1) in which is a regulator cock, to the heating
apparatus (A). The last named is really a boiler with fire-place and allows the
heated water, steam, or air to pass through the pipes (2) and (3) in an expanded
form. The pipes penetrate the back of the frame intended for the reception of
the patient and consisting of the principal part (F), to which movable pieces or
supports (H) and (H) are attached at the foot and at the head.
The patient lying on the frame or couch is now wrapped in the vest-like
covering (E), which covers the part of the body where the lungs are situated, and
is specially illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. This covering consists of elastic
material and resembles a vest with openings for the neck, body, and the two arms.
Owing to its elasticity, this covering can be drawn over the head without the
necessity to make any fastening at the side, and then fits air-tight at the neck, on
the body below the nipples, and at both armpits, this being effected by a suitable
draught excluder, preferably consisting of three layers with ruffles on the inside.
The covering (E) is perforated and furnished with nozzles in those parts of it
which correspond with the apexes of the lungs, on the front and back of the body.
Incorder to render possible the connection of the pipe (4) with the conduit pipes (2)
and (3), in the different cases, the pipes (2) and (3) are made elastic or at least so
arranged that they can be lengthened or shortened in a telescopic fashion and can
be turned on their longitudinal axes, so that they can be brought to bear on the
body to be treated in the manner desired. The stream acting on the body brings
about the effect mentioned in the introduction, whereupon the medium (water,
steam, or air) is collected in the space between the body and the covering (E),
finally escaping through the outlet opening (J). The water may be received in a
vessel (G).
For raising the arms a support (K) of the nature of a trapezium is provided.
The horizontal connecting bar of this support is grasped by the patient with his
hands.
The treatment of the patient is as follows:-The vest-like covering (E) is first
put on him, then he is laid on the couch or bed, whilst under him are inflatable
elastic cushions (air cushions) fixed or mounted on a slide. The adjustable parts (H)

page_text: and (H) are hereupon raised as high as the case will allow. The patient grasps-
the rod (K), whereupon the joining of the pipes (2), (3) and (4) to the nozzles (5)
follows. According to the nature of the medium employed, a suitably heated and
strong stream is now directed to the lung apexes, this process lasting a certain:
time and being repeated at intervals.
As a resting place for the patient, a cot or hammock may also be used, consisting
of a spring frame serving for the suspension of a net, the foot and head parts of
which are held apart and are of equal breadth, the foot part being longer than
the part for the head, the frame being furnished with an adjustable hanging
contrivance.
Further a couch with adjustable seat, head piece, and movable arm pieces may
be used for the placing of the patient, or a couch with adjustable parts for the
head, legs and arms respectively. It is also possible for the same purpose to.
employ webbing in conjunction with an adjustable part for the feet, in connection.
with which a receptacle may be advantageously applied to the lower part of the
frame supporting the webbing for the purpose of receiving the liquid resulting.
from the treatment.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inveu--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
Firstly. A process for the treatment of persons affected by disease of the lungs,.
characterized by a massage operation effected by a spray or jet-bath with a certain
medium such as hot water, air, or steam on the lungs with the simultaneous raising
of the remaining parts of the body especially the extremities of the arms and legs
and the head.
Secondly. For the carrying out of the process claimed under Claim 1, an.
adjustable couch or bed for the patient in combination with an elastic vest-like
covering which covers the upper part of the patient's body from the neck to below
the breast and fastening tight thereto as well as under the armpits, in which vest-
like covering, nozzles intended for conducting the expanded steam, hot water, air
or the like discharge, are provided.
1000
W. D. ROWLINGSON,
7 Quality Court, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,.
Agent for the Applicant.