Improvements in Body-coolers and Fever-reducers and Supporting Frames therefor.
Year: 1889

page_text: Dote of Application, 5th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Body-coolers and Fever-reducers and Supporting
Frames therefor.
I, EDWIN BELMONT MAGILL, of La Crosse, in the County of La Crosse, in the
State of Wisconsin, United States of America, Banker, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS in BODY-COOLERS AND FEVER-REDUCERS AND
SUPPORTING FRAMES THEREFOR, 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, as hereinafter set forth, to a novel device for cooling various
portions of the human body in the reduction of fevers and for other purposes and
in a frame or support for adjustably supporting the cooling device in appropriate
position relatively to the body.
In the accompanying drawings I have represented, in figures to 4 inclusive, the
apparatus capable of general application to the trunk, limbs and neck, though it may
also be used for the head. In figures 5 to 7 inclusive, is shown a form of apparatus
especially adapted for use in cooling and reducing fevers and inflammation in the
head. In the several illustrations illustrated and referred to the apparatus is equally
well-adapted for cooling portions of quick bodies and for maintaining corpses at the
desired temperature.
The cooling apparatus in all of the forms in which it is susceptible of being con-
structed consists, essentially, of one or more boxes or trays having ice-receiving and
holding portions each having the walls which, when the apparatus is in use, are
adjacent to the part, to be cooled provided with guarded or shielded air passages
through which the cooled air after contact with the ice passes to the body certain
details of construction being also employed to adapt more than one section of the
apparatus being employed as desired and to connect such together and support the
same in suitable position all as hereinafter fully described.
In the accompanying drawings:-
:-
Figure 1, represents a perspective view of my improved body-cooler and fever-
reducer of a shape suitable for employment in cooling various portions of the body.
Figure. 2, represents a longitudinal section taken on the line a, a, of figure 1.
Figure 3, represents a transverse section taken on the line b, b, of figure 1.
Figure 4, represents a detail view, partly broken away, of one of the side boxes or
ice receptacles and air-coolers.
Figure 5, represents my frame or support for adjustably supporting the cooler at
any desired altitude above the body and so as to adapt the same for application to
different parts of the body and to people of varying size, this figure also represents
the manner in which the cooler is adjustably supported thereon.
Figure 6, represents a perspective view of my complete apparatus as designed for
application to the head for cooling the same.
Figure 7, represents a sectional elevation of the bottom portion of the apparatus.
Figure 8, represents a similar view of the top portion.
This apparatus is designed for cooling portions of the human anatomy generally for
the purpose of reducing inflammation and fevers therein, reducing the temperature,
cooling corpses and as a substitute for the application of and constant changing of
wet cloths on persons the apparatus being especially serviceable in cases of brain
fever, wounds, spinal meningitis and inflammation and fever generally.
The forms shown in the drawings are such as have been found especially
advantageous in treating the head and other parts of the human body, generally.
In some cases, however, it may be found advantageous to modify somewhat the
D

page_text: contour of either one or more of the respective sections of the device as, for instance
to curve either of the sections so as to more readily conform to the shape of the
portion of the body to be treated. But as the general construction of the apparatus
would be followed in its essential characteristics and such changes in shape would
readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and having knowledge of the
specific requirements in individual cases I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate
herein such modifications in contour as may be made without departing from the
spirit of my present invention.
Referring now to figures 1 and 4 of the drawings, the ice receptacle and air-cooler
consists of a central section 1, which may be either of a substantially square form as
shown or of circular, oblong, curved or other shape according to requirement, and a
plurality of other ice-receptacles and air-coolers supended from and supported upon
said central ice-receptacle with capability of ready attachment to and removal there-
from and also of horizontal adjustment relatively thereto as will be presently
explained.
The central ice-chamber and air-cooler 1, consists of a tray or open-topped box
having vertical plane outer side walls 3, and end walls 4, a bottom 5, and a central
recess or opening 6, guarded by upwardly-extending perforated walls 7; within this
central recess or opening 6. is another ice-receiving box or chamber and air-cooler
8, also having perforated vertical side walls 9; 10, represents a hood which rests
upon the top edges of the side walls 7 and 9 and extends across and covers the air
space 11, between the same said hood being provided on each side with outwardly-
flaring depending flanges or aprons 12, which extend across the perforations or wire
gauze 13, in the vertical walls 7 and 9 for the purpose of fending the ice contained
within the respective ice-chambers 1, and 8, from said perforations and forming a space
intervening the ice and the side walls 7, and 9, through which air after being cooled
by its passage over the ice within said chambers passes to the patient. By means of
these flanges or aprons the water resultant from the melting of the ice will be deflected
from the perforations in the side walls and prevented from passing therethrough and
as, naturally, the cooled air will seek the lowest point of exit said aprons form a flue
along which the cooled air will pass to and through the perforated, side walls to
that portion of the body to which they are adjacent. 14, represents a waste pipe or
tube connecting the chambers 1, and 8, through which the waste water resultant
from the melting of the ice in the chamber 8, passes to the ice-chamber 1,
and 15, represents a similar water-discharge pipe extending outwardly
from the ice chamber 1, and to which a rubber or other tubo or pipe 16,
is connected for conveying the waste water to a similar receptacle, this tube
or pipe 16, may, if desired, be carried to one of the side or end ice-holders
to be presently described so as to discharge the waste water therein and thus
reduce the number of waste-water receptacles employed.
From or adjacent
to the respective corners of either or each end or side of the outer ice chamber 1, and
either from the upper or other suitable portion thereof extend, horizontally, wires or
rods 17, upon which side or end ice-receiving vessels 18, are removably supported. A
convenient mode of suspending these vessels 18, is represented in the drawing
wherein sleeves or tubes 19, extend from the upper edges of said vessels so as to permit
of their being readily slipped on or off said rods though, of course, said rods may
extend from any other portion than the top of the chamber 1. These rods are of a
length to permit of the side ice chambers being adjusted in any position in any desired
proximity to the central chamber 1, to accommodate the size of that portion of the body
to which the apparatus is applied. The side, or, as the case may be, end ice-
receiving and air-cooling chambers 18, are of greater depth than the depth of the
central chambers 1, and S. By this construction while the central chambers 1, and 8,
furnish a supply of cooled air to the upper surface of that portion of the body
under treatment the depending side or end chambers 18, furnish a supply of cooled
air. to the side surfaces of that portion of the body under treatment. While I do
not confine myself to the precise form and shape of said side or end of chambers

page_text: illustrated in the drawings, I find that form a very desirable one as by constructing
the lower portion of the outer wall 20, of downwardly-tapering form 21, the waste
water from the ice within said chambers 18, will readily flow down to the bottom and
discharge through the exit pipe 22, to which one end of a rubber or other tube 23,
is connected through which the waste water is carried off. The inner walls 24,
of the side or end chambers 18, are of a shape to permit of their resting snugly,
when desired, against the adjacent face or wall of the central ice chamber and air-
cooler 1. In the drawings I have shown the central ice-chamber and air-cooler of
square form and, the side chambers of oblong form, but the shapes thereof may be
varied without departing from the fundamental details of construction of my invention.
25 represents an ice-supporting grating within each of the chambers 18, a suitable
distance above the bottom thereof in the drawings I have represented said grating
as just above the tapering bottom portion of the outer walls though they may be
arranged in any other desired position. 26, represents air passages in the inner walls 24,
a suitable distance, preferably, below the ice-supporting gratings 25. These air passages
may either be formed directly in the walls 24, or a slot or opening may be formed in
each wall and covered with wire or other gauze. 27, represents a hood or apron
extending across and depending below the air passages and within the ice-
chambers 18, so as to guard said passages from contact with water or ice and prevent
water passing through said air passages; these hoods or aprons 27, extend at a
suitable angle so as to form flues up which the cooled air passing down through the
ice will pass to and through the air passages 26, and so as, also, to constitute an effectual
shield for said air passages and fend them from contact with either ice or water.
28, represents hooks extending from the respective ends of the end or side
chambers 18, and 29, represents a wire or other suitable frame or support for sup-
porting the air-cooling device in position above or relative to the patient. In the
drawings I have represented this frame as composed of four sections each having
eyed sides 30, and an outwardly-extending foot 31, for supporting and bracing
the frame in position. Each adjacent pair of sections of this frame is removably
connected and braced together by a hooked brace rod 32, which hooks into an eye 33,
on the lower portion of the adjacent sections. By this means the respective sections
can be readily connected together and disconnected from each other while also
A
furnishing a secure bracing connection to the several members of the frame.
convenient, ready and inexpensive manner of constructing this frame is to form the
respective sections cach of a single length of wire bent or doubled over to form the
side walls, of a distance apart equal to the width, transversely, of the side or end
ice-chambers 18, and with the wire forming said side walls curved or bent at suitable
distances apart to form eyes 30, with which the hooks 28, engage to support the ice-
chambers thereon. By constructing the frame 29, with eyed supports 30, and
providing the end chambers 18, with hooks 28, it will be observed that the ice
chambers can be supported at any desired height and their vertical adjustment
readily secured at any time.
In
Where wire is employed in the construction of the frame sections the free ends
thereof are bent over into outwardly-curved form to form the feet 31, and their
extreme ends then connected together by soldering or other suitable means.
lieu of forming the respective sections of the frame of wire they may each be formed
by casting or of sheet or other metal or material as desired as long as they are
provided with means, substantially as described, for affording a vertically adjustable
support for the ice chambers. If desired the end chambers 18, may be provided
with eyes and the frame with hooks to engage therewith..
In such cases as may be desired either one or both of the chambers 18, may be
employed independently of the central chamber 1; such application and use would be
desirable where it is desired to cool or reduce fever in side or vertical portions of the
anatomy and not treat the adjacent horizontal portion thereof. Furthermore, in lieu
of providing the side or end chambers 18, with suspension devices, such as described,
to connect the same with the frame, such suspension devices may be formed on or

page_text: attached to the central chamber 1, and the frame engaged therewith so as to afford a
central support to the several chambers or permit of the central chamber, alone, being
employed as may be deemed necessary in individual cases.
Referring now to figures 6, 7, and 8, of the drawings which illustrate a construction
especially adapted for the treatment of the head.
35, represents the bottom portion of the apparatus. In this construction the
bottom section 35, is formed of semicircular shape to adapt it to fit around and
encircle the base or rear and sides of the head. This bottom section is double-
walled as shown the outer wall 36. being plane faced and having one or more
holes 37, in the bottom thereof through which water resulting from condensation
and the melting of ice may discharge, such water being carried off away from the
couch upon which the user may be by a tube or tubes 38, engaged with a short
tube or pipe 39, extending outwardly from the opening 37. 40, represents the
inner wall of the bottom section of the apparatus. This, as shown is also of semi-
circular shape and has a circumferential series of perforations 41, therein through
which the cooled air passes from the ice chamber 42, between the walls 36, and 40,
to that part of the body to which the apparatus is applied. 43, represents an
outwardly and vertically-extending apron extending from the outer face of the inner
wall 40, and within the ice chamber to ensure the cooled air after coming in contact
with the ice 44, in the chamber 42, passing to the bottom thereof and from thence
up between said apron and the adjacent face of the inner wall to and through the
perforations 41, to the body of the user. 45, represents a semi-circumferential
gutter extending outwardly from the bottom of the inner wa!! for the purpose of
catching any moisture or water of condensation that may trickle down the inner
wall and 46, represents a discharge opening communicating with the ice chamber 42,
through which such water may discharge. 47, represents the closed ends of the
apparatus closing the ice chamber. 48, represents rubber sheathing encircling the
upper rims or beads 49, of the section and the rod 50, for bracing said section and
assisting in the support of the top section to be presently described. By thus
covering the rims a cushion is provided upon which the upper section rests and
thereby all noise that would otherwise result from the contact of movement of the
two sections one against the other is deadened; such noise-deadening covering may
also be placed upon or over such other exposed portions of the apparatus as would
be liable to create noise upon coming in contact with other articles or with the other
parts of the apparatus. This lower section 35, is designed to rest directly over that
portion of the body to be cooled, the ice or other cooling medium 44, being placed
within the chamber 42, which as shown, is open at its top to admit air which by the
ordinary and well-known natural laws in such cases automatically descends, as it.
becomes cooled by contact with the ice, and seeking an outlet, is by the pressure
of the superincumbent body of cooled air forced up to the only outlet available viz.:
between the apron 43, and inner wall 49, to and through the perforations 41, in the
wall 40, onto the body of the user. In the construction shown which is the form
especially adapted for use on the head, the central space 51, within which the head
rests is entirely open. As a consequence, were such lower section alone employed
the result would be that the cold air would be supplied simply around the base and
sides of the head while the crown of the head would not be subjected to cooling action.
The employment of a single section, as the bottom one, may, in some cases be
advantageous and all that is necessary, but where, as would usually be the case, it
might be desired to confine the cold air in contact with that part of the body to
which the apparatus is applied, I employ a top section or cap 52, of semi-cylindrical
dish-shape with a front wall 58. This top section or cap rests in use, upon the
covered top rim 49, and rod 50, of the lower section thereby covering the central
space 51, and covering the crown of the head or, as the case may be, the upper or
exposed surface of that part of the body to which the apparatus is applied. The
front wall 53, and side walls 54, of this top section are of sufficient height to forma
with the bottom 55, an ice-receiving chamber 56; the bottom 55, slopes gradually

page_text: rom the center to the outer walls so as to permit of the water resulting from
condensation and the melting of the ice flowing to and passing out through a discharge
opening 57, in the side wall; with this opening communicates a short outwardly-
extending pipe 58, to which one end of a rubber or other tube 59, is attached the
other end of which rests within the ice chamber 42, of the lower section 35, into
which it discharges the water passing therethrough.
60, represents a box or hood extending upwardly from the center of the bottom
portion of the section or cap 52; the side and end walls of this box or hood are at
their upper portion perforated as shown at 61, through which cold air passes from
contact with the ice in the chamber 56, to the body of the user; the lower portion of
the walls of this box or hood are imperforate to prevent any water coming in contact
with the user; 62, represents a cap or cover for the top of this box or hood the edges
of said cap extending horizontally beyond the side walls and being down-turned as
shown to afford a hand grasp whereby the section 52, may be transported and placed
in and removed from position. A central opening 63, is formed in the bottom 55, of
the section 52; which is guarded by the hood or box and through which the cooled
air passes from the perforated side walls of said hood to the body of the user. By
the employment, conjointly, of the two sections 35, and 52, above described the
application of cooled air is effectually secured over the entire surface of that portion
of the body to which the apparatus is applied.
This device can be, with but slight change in contour, equally well adapted for
application to other parts of the human anatomy it being simply necessary to construct
the section 35, of either circular, square or other shape to adapt it to conform to the
contour of that portion of the body to which it is to be applied and, when such part is
desired to be employed, similarly shaping the section 52, the general operative
arrangement and construction of parts being in all cases as above described in relation
to form of apparatus designed for application to the head.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
First. An air-cooling device for cooling portions of the human body and reducing
fever therein composed of one or more ice receptacles and air-coolers having guarded
air passages in the side thereof and a frame adapted to support said ice-holder and
air-cooler with capability of vertical adjustment thereon.
Second. An air-cooling device comprising a central ice-receptacle having guarded
air passages therein, one or more ice-receptacles and air coolers attached to said
central ice receptacle and having guarded air passages therein, suspension devices
extending from said air cooler or coolers and a frame adapted to engage said suspen-
sion devices and support the respective air and body coolers with capability of vertical
adjustment thereon.
Third. An air and body-cooling device comprising a central ice-receptacle having
guarded air passages in its inner walls, one or more. ice-receptacles removably sup-
ported on said central receptacle with capability of horizontal adjustment thereon and
having guarded air passages in the inner walls thereof, a supporting frame, and sus-
pension devices, as hook and eye connections, between the frame and ice holder or
holders for securing vertically-adjustable supporting connections between said frame
and ice holders.
Fourth. The ice holder and air cooler 1, herein described consisting of an outer
ice receptacle having air passages in its inner walls and an air duct or flue com-
municating with said air passages and shielding the same from contact with ice and
water, and an inner ice holder and air cooler having air passages in its side walls and
an air duct or flue adapted to shield said air passages from ice and water contact.
Fifth. The ice holder and air cooler 1, herein described consisting of an outer ice
receptacle having air passages in its inner walls and an open central bottom portion,
a central ice holder and air cooler having air passages in its side walls and of less

page_text: circumference than and arranged within the central portion of the outer ice holder,
and a hood connecting the adjacent walls of the respective ice receptacles and covering
the space between the same and having depending flanges for the purpose of guarding
the air passages in the respective ice receptacles from ice and water contact and of
forming air ducts or flues."
Sixth. An ice holder and air cooler comprising a box having an inner wall having
air passages therein, a flange or apron depending across said air passages and within
said box for the purposes of shielding said passages from ice and water and of forming
an air duct or flue and an ice-supporting grating arranged within said box above the
air duct.
Seventh. An ice holder and air cooler comprising a box having an inner wall
having air passages therein, and an outer wall having an inwardly-tapering lower
portion and a suitable waste-water exit, a flange or apron depending across said air
passages and within said box for the purposes of shielding said passages from ice and
water and of forming an air duct or flue, and an ice-supporting grating arranged
within said box above the air duct.
Eighth. A body cooler comprising an ice receptacle having plane outer walls and
inner walls having air passages therein and a central ice-receiving box having air
passages in its side walls, a hood connecting the air-conducting walls and depending
across and guarding said air passages, horizontal rods extending from the exterior of
said ice receptacle, and one or more ice receptacles adapted to be removably supported
upon said rods with capability of horizontal adjustment thereon and having an ice-
supporting grating and flange-guardod air passages in the inner walls thereof, a
sectional frame having a vertical series of supports thereon and devices, as hooks and
eyes, upon said ice receptacle or receptacles to engage the supports on the frame
whereby a vertically-adjustable support is afforded the body cooler.
Ninth. The cooler-supporting frame herein described consisting of a series of
uprights having outwardly-flaring feet and a vertical series of supports adapted to
engage with the supporting attachments on the cooler and thereby support the same
at different elevations, and hook and eye connections for connecting and bracing the
respective uprights or sections of the frame.
Tenth. A body-cooling device comprising a double-walled frame the space between
said walls constituting an ice-receiving chamber, said inner wall having a series of
air passages and an air-deflecting apron and a dished cap or cover adapted to rest
upon the double-walled frame and to receive ice and having a central upwardly-
extending portion having perforated side walls and communicating with an air exit
in the bottom of said dished cover, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Eleventh. An apparatus for cooling portions of the body by means of cold air
currents and consisting of an ice chamber of a shape to adapt it to fit and conform
to that portion of the body to which it is applied and having a central open portion
to receive the part to be cooled and a perforated inner wall communicating with the
ice chamber and forming air passages substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. The body cooler herein described comprising an ice chamber having an
outer plane wall having a water exit and an inner wall having air passages therein,
an apron extending vertically from said inner wall and within the ice chamber for
the purposes of guarding the air passages therein and forming an air flue or passage,
a water-receiving gutter surrounding the outer face of said inner wall and having a
discharge passage communicating with the ice chamber.
Thirteenth. In a body cooler, a dished ice receptacle having an air passage in the
bottom thereof and an upwardly-extending box surrounding and guarding said opening
and having perforated side walls to permit of the passage therethrough to the opening
in the bottom of the ice receptacle of cooled air substantially as set forth.
Fourteenth. A body cooler comprising a bottom section consisting of a circum-
ferential ice chamber having a perforated inner wall, a vertical apron or air duct
connecting said perforations and ice chamber and a waste discharge, and a top section
- or cap adapted to rest upon said bottom section and consisting of a dished ice receptacle]

page_text: having an opening in its bottom and a box or hood surrounding said opening and
having perforated side walls to permit of cold air currents passing from the ice
chamber to and through the bottom opening as and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 5th day of November 1889.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.