A New and Improved Hot Air Bath.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New and Improved Hot Air Bath.
I, ARTHUR EDWIN GREVILLE, of 2, Staple Inn, Holborn, in the County of
London, Gentleman, 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 relates to hot air baths, and has for its object to provide new
and improved means for heating air for the purpose, and for the local application
of the bath to the arm, leg or to any limb or limited portion of the body.
The invention consists in heating the air for use in hot air baths by the
means of an electric current, and in the construction of such a bath for local
and general application as hereinafter described.
The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which,
Figure 1 represents in side elevation a bath for use in the treatment of the
legs or lower portion of the body.
Figure 2 is an end elevation corresponding to Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross section on the line y Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a plan corresponding to Figure 1.
Figure 5 represents in side elevation a bath for treatment of one leg or one
arm of the body, while
Figure 6 is a cross section on the line y z Figure 5.
Figure 7 is an end elevation corresponding to Figure 5.
In carrying the invention into effect as illustrated in the accompanying draw-
ings a receptacle A is formed preferably from sheet metal or from wood or other
heat resisting material, which encloses a perforated casing B, for the reception
of the limb or part of the body to be operated upon.
As illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 the receptacle A is formed of two
complementary longitudinal parts, the one A¹ being secured to the other A2 by
means of hinged hasps C upon the one, engaging with thumb nuts C₁ upon the
other. The one end 1) of the perforated casing B is open for introduction of
66 mackintosh" lined
the limb and projects so that flexible material preferably
with asbestos cloth or other heat withstanding material may be secured thereto,
which material is bandaged around the limb to be operated upon, in order that
the heat produced in the bath or receptacle A may not escape. The other end E
is provided with a hinged door El secured to the upper part A¹ of the receptacle
and two hinging doors E2, E2, secured to the lower part A2 so that the limb to
be operated upon may if necessary project through when the upper or other part
of the limb is in the receptacle: or the end may be closed by first closing the
doors E2 E2 and then the door E¹ which retains the latter and is itself retained
by means of catches e e.
Upon the interior faces of each of the walls A¹ A³, F F¹ and G G¹ are secured
metallic plates or frames I, upon which are provided two series of insulating
buttons or projections K K¹ about and between which platinoid, platinum or
.

page_text: German silver or other wires Q suitable for high electric resistance are stretched
in continuous series. The wires Q after passing alternately around and between
all the opposing projecting insulators K K have their extremities carried through
vulcanite discs or collars to the exterior and there secured in terminals M N for
connection to an external circuit of storage batteries or other source of electric
current. The extremities of the respective wires Q may however be led to com-
mon terminals where the current may pass through in series or in parallel for
the purpose of attaining a suitable temperature, the current being of such a
degree of quantity and intensity that great heat is thereby generated, and the
interior of the receptacle in which the limb to be operated upon is inserted
becomes heated to any required limit.
Between each of the plates I and the respective walls of the casing A is inter-
posed a sheet of asbestos O or other indestructible material for the purpose of
preventing the outer casing from becoming overheated.
The walls F F and G G are preferably provided to be capable of removal
for repair or inspection of the interior of the receptacle, and may be secured to
the main body A. by means of hinges fa formed by bending over the metal f³ a³
of which the main body of the receptacle and the walls are respectively provided
so as to form holes or loops in alignment through which pins or wires f¹ may
be passed, which on removal permit of the walls being individually withdrawn
without the necessity of disconnection of the other walls or parts.
The interior casing or shield B is provided of perforated metal, preferably
aluminium or of gauze wire and is lined with wool or similar material P as
illustrated in Figure 3. It may be formed of two complementary longitudinal
parts, the one part being preferably of semi-circular shape, while the
other is a double semi-circular section so as thereby to be convenient for the
reception of the legs or lower portion of the body. The parts of the casing B
are respectively secured to the parts A1 A2 of the receptacle A by means of
supporting brackets R R¹ as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 so that when the
parts of the receptacle are brought together the parts of the casing abut on
their flanges 2 so as to form a complete enclosure.
For the regulation of the temperature the several series of wires Q may be
cut out of circuit by such means as a compound switch, and a ventilator S or
ventilators may be employed.
A gland is provided through which a thermometer T may be introduced for
the purpose of ascertaining the temperature in the interior.
The receptacle may be supported upon feet W.
As illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7, the interior perforated casing B may be
of circular form and may be held in position by the end plates constituting part
of the casing, while its mouth projects at 1) for the purpose of securing thereto
flexible material such as "mackintosh" lined with an asbestos cloth or other
heat resisting material for being bandaged around the limb to be operated upon.
The receptacle A in this case is formed with its walls F, G, H, I, hinged one
to the other by hinges and hinging bolts R, whose extremities are fastened
by means of thumb nuts as illustrated. The end plates 1) and E may be
secured in position preferably by means of turned over flanges from the respec-
tive walls of the receptacle: while such end plates may be secured at each corner
upon the hinging bolts so as to effect a staunch construction and so as to pre-
clude the remaining walls falling away when one is unhinged upon one side for
inspection or repair, of the interior. It is obvious that such a construction offers
great facility for inspection or removal of any of the walls of the receptacle
which can be simply effected on the withdrawal of one of the bolts which permits
of the wall or side being turned upon the hinge, while the removal of the two
bolts permits of the wall or side being completely withdrawn.
It is obvious that the receptacle may be provided of such dimensions as to be
suitable to any limb or part to be operated upon.
If the receptacle A is made air tight and an air pump be attached to or integ-

page_text: rally provided within the receptacle a vacuum may be produced during the
period of the treatment of the limb or part.
As the heat is radiated directly from the electrically heated wire to the limb
under operation, and the casing B is perforated for the purpose, the deliquescent
change which would take place by the interposition of metal between the limb
and the source of heat is thereby avoided.
It will be understood that no direct contact is permitted, the casing B being
perforated so as to allow of radiation or being provided as a gauze wire cylinder
so as thereby to shield the limb to be operated upon from accidental contact with
the source of heat.
In the applications of the bath, the receptacle into which the limb or part to
be treated is enclosed may be affixed to a stand upon which it may be capable
of adjustment into any convenient position or inclination, while it is capable of
being applied in the bed of the patient with great convenience.
The division of the receptacle in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 of
the drawings, permits of the limbs of the patient being conveniently laid in posi-
tion while in bed upon the protecting shield, while the upper part of the recep-
tacle is superposed and fastened.
'
While certain forms of the bath or appliance for the treatment of particular
parts of the body have been described it is of course understood that apparatus
according to the invention may be constructed for treatment of any section or
part of the body.
By the employment of a hot air bath using electric current as hereinbefore
described higher temperature can be obtained than by any process using air
steam or gas at present known, and the air so heated is pure and dry and free
from the moisture resulting from steam or gas and the impurities of the latter.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1, An electrically heated hot air bath constructed substantially as hereinbefore
described.
"
2,-In a hot air bath, means for heating the body by the use of an electric
current passing through a resistance wire or coil, whereby the limb or part is
heated by radiation as well as convection substantially as described.
3, A hot air bath for the local application of dry air to the human body
consisting of a receptacle in which electrical resistance wires or coils are pro-
vided, and a perforated shield or casing for the reception of the limb or part
substantially as hereinbefore described.
4, A hot air bath substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, of the accompanying drawings.
T41: 1011 1
T.... 1000
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents.