NEW INVENTED METHOD OF CURING ALL THE DEFORMITIES OF CHILDREN OR OTHERS, WHICH ARISE FROM OR ARE CONNECTED WITH DISTORTION, IN THE FORM OR COMBINATION OF BONES THAT EXIST IN THE DEFORMED PART
Year: 1797

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,. TIMOTHY
SHELDRAKE, the younger, of No. 50, in the Strand, in the County of Middlesex,
Truss Maker, do send greeting.
WHEREAS His most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, by His
Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at West-
minster, the Twenty-fourth day of January, in the thirty-seventh year of His
reign, did give and grant unto me, the said Timothy Sheldrake, my exors,
adiñiors, and assigns, His special licence, sole priviledge and authority, that I,
the said Timothy Sheldrake, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, during the term of
years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my "NEW
INVENTED METHOD OF CURING ALL THE DEFORMITIES OF CHILDREN OR OTHERS, WHICH
ARISE FROM OR ARE CONNECTED WITH DISTORTION, IN THE FORM OR COMBINATION OF
BONES THAT EXIST IN THE DEFORMED PART;" in which Letters Patcut there is
contained a proviso, obliging me, the said Timothy Sheldrake, under my hand
and seal, to cause a particular description of the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be inrolled in His
Majesty's High Court of Chancery within one calendar month next and
immediately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the
same (relation being thereunto had) may more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Timothy Sheldrake, do hereby declare that my said Invention is defined and
described as follows (that is to say):-

page_text: My new invented method of curing all deformities or distortions in the legs,
feet, arms, or other parts of children or others (provided they are not in their
nature incurable), whether such deformities or distortions arise from or con-
nected with the improper form of one or more bone or bones, or by the
improper combination of two or more bones, or by the improper form and
improper combination of any number of bones that exist in the deformed or
distorted part, is, by the continual, repeated, and varied application of a spring
or springs, to be constructed, ailapted, and applied with bandages, and by
instruments; in such manner that the spring or springs which constitute the
efficient part of such applications shall be constantly acting to correct the
disease, and shall have their powers varied, modified, aud increased, as circum-
stances shall require, so as to diminish the deformities or distortions by degrees
until they are finally eradicated. This is the general nature of my Invention;
a more particular description of it, and the manner in which it is to bo per-
formed, I will now state in various instances, as particularly and distinctly as
the nature thereof will admit.
In the first place, I shall illustrate the method of treating those distortions or
Jeformities which arise from the improper form of bones, by explaining the
treatment of curvature in bones of the leg, which is one of the most frequent
diseases of that description; whether the bones bend inwards, outwards, or
forwards, is of no consequence, as the principle on which the remedy is to be
applied is the same in all.
Figures 1 and 2, hereunto annexed, represent a child's leg bending
outwards; the lines marked with the letters a, b, c, in both Figures, repre-
sent the curved spring intended to correct this deformity. It is evident that
if this spring is, by bandage or otherwise at a, d, and c, e, in Figure 1, or b, d,
in Figure 2, brought into contact with the leg, the inside of the knee, as at d.
in Figure 1, and a, in Figure 2, and bottom of the leg, which correspond with
the ends of the spring, will form resting points for the spring to act from, while
its reaction by producing pressure on the projecting part of the curve of the
leg reduces the bone towards its natural state. The same effect will be produced
by either of these methods, the difference between the modes of producing the
effect being that in Figure 1; the bandages a, d, and c, e, form the resting points,
and pressure is made upon the curve of the bone by the spring at b; but in
Figure 2 the ends of the spring a and c form the resting points, and the
reaction of the spring produces pressure from the bandage b, d, upon the curve
of the bone. I shall now proceed to shew particularly the manner of con-
structing the instrument for curing the deformities of the leg, upon the principles
already laid down, by which means those who may hereafter practice this

page_text: method will be better enabled to determine in what manner they will apply
these principles in the cure of such distortions or deformities as may be intrusted
to their care. The instrument I use to cure curvature in bones of the leg
is constructed as in Figures 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, hereunto annexed, and is described
in manner following, that is to say:-The foot price a, b, c, d, e, in Figure 3
and 4, is made of calf skin or any other moderately stiff leather, in form of a
common half boot, and to lace in front, with the sole of iron or any other
strong metal; and to cure a bone, curved like Figure 1, I fix on the outside
of this sole a piece of iron, steel, or other convenient metal f, g, in Figures 3
and 4, to go in a perpendicular direction as high as the ancle joint at g, in
Figures 3 and 4; with this I connect, by means of a joint, another piece of
iron, steel, or other convenient metal a, b, in Figure 5, to go as high as the
knee; upon this I rivett (but it may be otherwise fixed) transversely, as many
pieces of tin or other meta!,' c, d, e, f, &c., in Figure 5, each about half an inch
wide, as will reach from the ancle to the knee, and so long as to be equal to
about half the circumference of the leg the whole way. I continue another
piece of iron, steel, or other convenient metal a, b, in Figure 6, and h, i, in
Figure 3, to the hip joint; this is connected with the leg by a joint at the knee
h, in Figure 3, and 6, in Figure 5, to allow the knee to move in its natural
directions, and is fixed by a swivel joint, to allow the hip to move in its natural
direction, to a bandage c, d, e, in Figure 6, and k, l, m, n, in Figure 3, that goes
round the waist, and on the outside of that iron, steel, or other convenient
metal a, b, in Figure 5, which bears the transverse pieces of tin, I fix a spring
a, b, c, in Figure 7, whose curve is similar to the line marked a, b, c, in Figures
1 or 2; this I call the skeleton of the instrument; the foot piece is lined with
any soft materials to prevent it from galling the foot; the side of the leg is
guarded in the same manner, and covered with strong leather or any
other convenient material, to go all round the leg; the rest of the bandage
may be covered in the usual manner. To apply this apparatus, the foot
must first be laced tight into that part that is intended to receive it,
a, b, c, d, e, in Figure 3; the part, Figure 5, which is composed of
tranverse pieces of tin, &c., is then to be moulded as near to the form of the
leg as possible, the leg bandage o, p, q, r, in Figure 3, is to be laced round the
lower part of the leg as tight as it can be borne, and fixed to remain so
by means of the strap w, x, in Figure 8; the upper part is then to be laced
as tight as may be, and fixed to remain so by means of the strap v, u, in Figure
3, and the strap s, t, in Figure 3, fastened round the knee to keep it in
its place, and finally, the bandage k, l, m, i, n, in Figure 3, to be made fast
round the waist. If the principles I have laid down are attended to, it will be
evident that the skilful application of this bandage, according to the process I

page_text: have described, the spring a, b, c, in Figure 7, which is the efficient part, and
which is, as before stated, fixed or fastuned to Figure 5, will be brought
into action upon the curve of the leg; and by regulating the bandages, &c.,
that action may be modified and encreased until the bono is made perfectly
strait; the above is the instrument I make and use, when the spring. is to be
placed on the outside of the 'leg. When the spring is to be placed on the inside
of the leg, the instrument I make and use differs only in this, that it is
made to reach as high only as the inside of the thigh will allow, and is fastened
round the thigh by a bandage fixed at the top of the instrument, instead of
being fastened round the waist by the bandage fixed by the swivel joint, to the
top of the instrument.
In the second place, I shall exemplify the method of curing deformity
or distortion from improper combination of bones by explaining the
method of treating that deformity, which is occasioned by the kuces bending
inwards, while the bones of the leg and thigh are individually perfect and
straight, which is one of the inost frequent specimens of this class of
diseases. Figures 8 and 9 represent a leg of this kind, the lines a, b, c, in
cach Figure represent the curved spring intended to cure this deformity. In
deformities or distortions froin curvature of bones, the bones alone are objects
for attention, everything that covers them being merely passive; but in
deformities or distortions from inproper combination of bones, the muscles,
tendon, and ligaments connected with them become equally objects of attention,
being sometimes merely deranged in consequence of the improper combination
of bones; but at other times some disease or derangement in the muscles,
tendon, or ligaments have been the original cause of the deformity. In the
deformity represented in Figures 8 and 9, where the derangement of the
connecting ligament of the joint, the loss of power in the muscles of
the leg, and consequent diminished capacity for locomotion in the patient,
are merely consequences of the derangement in the relative position of
the bones, the micans proposed to remove tliat original disease will like-
wise obyiate all the consequences; but in that class of deformities which
originato in some defect of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments in the
parts affected, our attention must be principally directed to supply or
remedy that defect which is the producing cause, or the consequences can
never be removed, or even palliated with much effoct; this it is proposed to
do effectually by my Invention.
1 exemplify the method of constructing instruments for curing diseases
of the latter class, occasioned by improper combination of bones, according
to the method I have 'invented, by describing the manner of making
instruments to cure that deformity, which is occasioned by the knees

page_text: bending inwards, as drawn in Figures 8 and 9. I make.the foot-piece a, b,
c, d, e, in Figure 10, of this instrument exactly the same as described in the
preceding case, in Figures 3 and 4; to this I connect, by means of a joint.or
spring f, g, h, in Figure 10, to go from the ancle-joint at f to 'the hip at h.
If i place the instrument outside the leg, as in Figure 9, which I think is the
preferable mode, or from the ancle to the top of the thigh, if on the inside, as in
Figure 8, the spring f, g, h, is made of two pieces united by a joint parallel
to the knee, as at g, in Figure 10, to allow the knee to move in its natural
direction. If these instruments are for both legs, they are connected
by a bandage round the waist, as I have already described, as i, k, l, m, n,
in Figure 10; between the spring and the leg I place a splint of metal or
other convenient substance, as in Figure 3, fastened to the inside of the spring,
to cover as much as may be necessary of that side the leg, to guard it from
pressure from the spring, and to form one of the resting points; the other.is
formed by the bandage k, l, m, in Figure 10, to which the spring is fixed on
the hip. If the instrument is to be placed on the inside the leg, it is made
as high only as the inside of the thigh will allow, and is fastened round the
thigh by a bandage fixed to the top of it. These parts constitute the skeleton
of the instrument. To apply it, I fix the foot-piece a, b, c, d, e, in Figure 10,
on the foot, in the manner I have described in the preceeding case; I then
lace a bandage n, o, p, q, in Figure 10, round the knee, upon which are fixed
four loops 7, 7, 8, 8, in Figure 10, videlicet, two above and two below the knce-
joint; I likewise fix a bandage to the splint t, u, v, w, in Figure 10, which is
then laced on the leg. I have, besides, two strong straps to the spring x, y, in
Figure 10, one above and the other below the knee-joint; I then pass theso
straps through the loops 1, r, s, s, on the knee bandage in Figure 10, and fasten
them to the spring f, g, and g, h, above and below the knee-joint at 9, which by
these means are bound to the limb, and the reaction of the spring f, g, and
g, h, draws the limb into its proper place. Upon applying this, with what I
have said on the general principle, as applied to Figures 8 and 9, the action of
this instrument will be easily comprehended.
In the next place, I shall instance two diseases which may be referred to as
striking examples of this last species of deformities or distorcions from improper
combination of bones, videlicet, when a wry neck is produced either by contraction
of the sterno-mastoideus muscle on one side, or the loss of power in the same
muscle on the other side the head, or in those distortions of the legs occa-
sioned by contraction of the gastrocuemii muscles and tendo-Achilles, when
that contraction is the original cause of the discase, or by loss of power in tho
autagonist muscles when the contraction of the gastrocuemii muscles and tendo-

page_text: Achilles is only one of the consequences of that want of power however
produced. In all these cases, the curative intention is the same, and by my
Invention is effected by adopting a spring or springs to supply the deficiency
of action in those muscles.
Thirdly, I shall exemplify the method of curing those defects which arise
from defects of muscular action, whatever may be the cause of that defect, by
my method of curing that distortion of the leg and foot which is occasioned
by contraction of the gastrocuemii muscles and tendo-Achilles, or by want of
power in those muscles whose office is to counteract the above mentioned. In
this kind of disease the heel is drawn up and the toe pointed straight forwards,
with more or less rigidity, according to circumstances. The curative intentions
are to place the limb in its natural position, and restore (if possible) the natural
action of the muscles. I examine the diseased part to discover what muscle is
deficient in contractilo power, and consider in what direction that muscle
would draw the parts if in its natural state. I then provide and apply a
spring whose power is equal to the natural power of the defective muscle, and
whoso curve is such that when bound on the limb its reaction will draw it as
much as possible towards its natural state. If the disease is occasioned by
lefects in the action of more than one muscle, I provide a separate spring to
imitato and supply the action of each of the defective muscles, and apply
them separately and alternately, varying their powers and action until the
whole disease is eradicated. I apply these springs in the following manner :-
I provide a splint of tin or other convenient substance to cover one half the
leg, and serve as a basis for the springs to act from. This splint is lined with
leather, wool, or other convenient substance, to prevent it from galling the
part. It is then bound on the leg with any kind of bandage that may bo
convenient. I then bind the spring in such a direction that its reaction will
draw the limb as much as possible towards its natural state, and leave it in
this condition for one, two, or three days, according as the circumstances of
the case will permit. I then unbind it and alter its direction, &c., so that it
may produce a farther effect; or if it is a complex case, and various springs
are necessary, I apply a different one for the same or a like space of time, and
thus proceed gradually until the cure is compleat.
There is another species of deformity, arising from or connected with improper
combination of bones, that may be materially benefited by this Invention, videlicet,
in curvation of the spine, and its manifold consequences. Upon this subject I
sball lay down a simple proposition, which those who are acquainted with the
structure of those parts will comprehend, and then more particularly explain the
application of it. All the mechanical methods of treating this disease that have

page_text: as yet been practised are reducible to two, videlicet, first, to produce extention
of the spine by suspending the weight of body from the head; and
secondly, by firmly cinbracing the head and pelvis, and by mechanical means
lengthening the space between them. It may be said with truth that
either of these means will have effect, but my Invention added to these makes
a material improvement upon them. My principle, as applied to this discase,
I thus demonstrate:-Let the curved line a, b, c, in Figure 11, represent the
listorted spine, the lines d, e, and f, g, at the top and bottom thereof, the parts.
of any apparatus fixed on the head and pelvis; it is obvious that if such
apparatus is firmly fixed on those parts, and afterwards sufficiently lengthened,
the curved spine that is extended between them must in the end become strait..
But my improvement is to add springs properly adapted to press at the same
time on the projecting part of the curve, by which means the extention is
accelerated and facilitated, so that the curvo will be straitened in much less
time and with less force and less inconvenience to the patient than by any other
method.
'
I shall now proceed to the application of my Invention to cure distortions
of the spine, which are the most complex and most varied of diseases arising
from improper combination of bones, and which I thus demonstrate:-Figure 12
represents the instrument for curing that disease, invented and made public by
me sixteen years ago, and which is no part of my present Invention or included
in this Patent. a, b, c, d, e, f, is the part intended to fix on the pelvis;
g, h, i, is the part to fix on the head; and i, k, the back which connects the
two; on this is the spring catch 1, which falls into notches n, n, in the upright
bar c, d, e, f, as it is raised and thus produces extention. The Figure 13
represents the back view of a patient with distorted spine, and, in consequence,
projection of the ribs and enlargement of the scapula on one side, with a.
proportionate diminution of those parts on the other side; and Figure 14.
represents the spinal machine (which, forming no part of my present Invention,
it is unnecessary for me to describe) with additions upon the principles of this
Invention, consisting of a pad a, b, c, d, properly guarded and connected with
springs e, e, and f.f, fixed to the back of the machine at e and f, and intended to
press on the projecting ribs; another pad h, i, k, connected by springs with the
inside of the back of the machine, and intended to press on the projecting
5 scapula. One elastic spring strap connected with it is intended to depress the
elevated shoulder h, g, h, and a similar one l, m, n, to raise that which is below
its proper situation.
Whoever considers the general principles of this my Invention in this
its application to the class of diseases at present under consideration, will
0 sec that these additions, upon the principle I have already described

page_text: are a part of my present Invention and included in this Patent, and
are a material improvement to my former method of treating this disease.
To such persons as may in future práctico this method of curing these distortions,
&c., the following rules which I adhere to will be useful, in addition to what
is before stated, in aiding their own judgment and experience; in the application
of this my method, videlicet,
First: In curvature of bones a small force should be at first applied, and
afterwards gradually increased to the utmost extent that can be applied without
injury to the soft parts which lie under the instruments; and,
Secondly In improper combination of bones, or defect of muscular
nction, the force to be used should be something more than the parts affected
would exert if in their natural state.
In witness whereof, the said Timothy Sheldrake hath hereunto set his
hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of February, in the thirty-seventh
year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Georgo the Third, by the grace 1
of God of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the
Faith, and so forth, and in the year of our Lord Oue thousand seven
hundred and ninety-seven.