A Medicinal Light-curative Apparatus for the Production of Complete or Partial Baths of Chemical and Electrical Rays of Light.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Nov., 1899-Accepted, 16th Dec., 1899
A Medicinal Light-curative Apparatus for the Production of Complete
or Partial Baths of Chemical and Electrical Rays of Light.
I LOUIS CUNOW, Managing Director, 24A, Marchstrasse, Charlottenburg, near
Berlin, Germany, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
Therapeutic treatment by means of light has in modern times attained exten-
sive notoriety owing to the fact that as the result of a series of successful practi-
cal experiments the high therapeutic value of the various rays of light as a cura-
tive agent in many diseases has been scientifically established. Reports on the
success of therapeutic treatment by means of light have been repeatedly 'pre-
sented to medical congresses and as a consequence the largest national clinical
hospitals and infirmaries have taken in hand the introduction of adequate light-
baths.
Light baths as hitherto constructed, have been furnished with electric incan-
descent or are lights inside the sitting or lying space of the bath.
This arrangement has however many very troublesome defects and although
it is necessary in order to secure an even and constant effect from the-rays-of
light and to obtain a rapid cure, that the whole of the body or a large part of its
surface should be exposed to chemical arc-light rays concentrated by means of
parabolic mirrors or lenses, yet this is impossible in the case of any known
arrangement. On the contrary the chemical rays employed, concentrated by
means of parabolic mirrors or lenses, can only be applied locally to the body in
a state of perspiration.
A full application of the various rays of light is the more necessary inasmuch
as recent experiments (Finsen, Koppenhagen, Schwenninger, Klemperer, Below,
Katenbracker, Berlin) have demonstrated conclusively that the alternating or
duplicate application of simple incandescent, light, secondly concentric chemical
rays of light and thirdly cold light with the heat rays eliminated by means of ice,
sulphate of copper etc., alone produce really successful cures free from objection
in all respects.
Finsen for instance ascribed his results solely to cold, highly concentrated,
chemical rays, while Winternitz in error regarded the heat rays alone as the main
factor in light baths. Otto on the contrary used a combination apparatus in which
diffused incandescent or arc-light or chemical rays highly concentrated by para-
bolic mirrors or lenses were employed.
By means of this combination of heat and chemical rays good curative results
were obtained with the Otto apparatus. Great inconvenience however resulted
from the fact that all the known apparatus occasioned excessive outbursts of
perspiration and that the chemical concentrated arc-light rays could only be
directed towards separate parts of the body in a state of excessive perspiration.

page_text: The object of the present application entirely obviates these disadvantages inas-
much as, owing to its special construction it allows the optional employment of
incandescent light, concentrated chemical light, and lastly cold light produced by
the absorbtion of the heat rays.
The newly invented apparatus is accordingly of considerable importance as it
allows the whole body to be exposed to chemical highly concentrated rays at a
moderate temperature produced by the concentrated arc-light itself. By this
means a daily treatment of the patient is rendered possible promoting assimila-
tion of food, destroying the micro-organisms which produce the disease and
strengthening the nervous system. With the previously known contrivances which
act at the same time as perspiration baths such daily treatment is quite out of
the question. The weakened bacteria during the compulsory intervals gain time
to recuperate and a prompt and rapid cure is delayed while in other directions no
systematic influence on the organs of the body is possible.
The technical means which help to produce this remarkable effect depend
upon the optical contrivances requisite for the production of the various rays
being applied to the outside of a light-bath provided with various openings com-
pletely closed in save for the opening for the head.
In the accompanying drawing.
Figure 1 is a perspective illustration.
Figure 2 is an absorbtion box shewing an elevation and a sectional view taken
on the line - of the elevation.
The apparatus consists of the main portion or frame a and the incandescent
light boxes to be used in conjunction with it. The main portion or frame has
the shape of a chest-bedstead or of a chest around which there are openings adegf
which can be closed by means of inserted glass windows. The openings at the
head and foot f and are used for establishing a chemical ray sand bath or a
chemical ray bath inasmuch as they receive the concentrated arc-light rays pro-
duced by reflectors which light up the body on all sides. To obtain the necessary
degree of light the interchangeable shutters are to be used in such a way that
the proper reflectors work simultaneously at
and f.
If it is necessary to apply diffused arc or incandescent light the electric incan-
descent or arc light boxes are used together with the chemical rays. These cover
up the openings as shewn at c and d. They are furnished with incandescent or
arc lamps and are affixed to the side of the bed or elsewhere. A similar arrange-
ment enables coloured slides to be employed or double slides connected together
to serve for ice-water flushing.
The openings (or shutters) on the apparatus a are provided with hooks and
the boxes with eyelets. If for example it is required to direct a strong light
upon the arm the box 6 is applied to the opening c and its full light falls upon the
arm together with the chemical rays. In this way the lungs, liver, heart spleen,
etc. can he placed under treatment with high incandescent or are light power
and facilities are afforded for applying the light in any shape desired.
On the sides there are contrivances for suspending the hammock has also at
the head and foot. Here the hammock is raised in order to protect the win-
dows and g and to give the patient a comfortable position. From the foot a
cover of cloth or other material is unrolled level with the sides having a neck
slit to secure the freedom of the head. The cover is fastened with eyelets and
may have openings for applying light. If the chest, stomach waist or abdomen
are to be separately treated by light, parts of the cover are pulled back and a
light box placed in position. In the event of a sand bath being required a light
gauze is laid upon the hammock to retain the sand and allow the rays of light to
penetrate and this is covered with sand warmed by light. Upon this the whole
body may be covered up with sand.
While concentrated chemical rays are projected through the windows f and g by
means of reflectors the boxes b act from above or at the sides. If the natural

page_text: sun sand bath is required all these apertures are used and the invalid is sur-
rounded by a medicinal curative medium.
To get simple light baths which make breakage of the lamps and short cir-
cuiting impossible the boxes b are affixed in front of the openings c, d, e, l, g, f, of
the apparatus. At m Figure 2 different coloured glass slides for the absorbtion
of any particular ray may be inserted in the slot of the box.
The whole arrangement may be regarded as an essential improvement on exist-
ing light baths which produce their light inside the apparatus and consequently
expose every occupant to danger. Especially in this the case in full length baths
which derive their light partially from the bottom of the apparatus. Perspira-
tion moistures the lamps the conductor attracts the dripping moisture disturb-
ance and even short circuiting may result and flames may burst forth and
endanger the helpless invalid.
The present method of construction has the especial advantage of allowing
fever patients to be treated by means of light baths without risk because in conse-
quence of the outside position of light and ray producing contrivances delirious
fever patients are fully protected. Again the advantages of the roomy interior
closed off space are apparent in the facilities provided for sand packs and the
like. It has been scientifically established that sand baths are frequently of great
assistance in the curative process by light: some rays are absorbed by the sand
while others are transmitted to the body in an especially suitable and effective
form. In the light baths hitherto in use it has been impossible to introduce sand
baths at will.
The present apparatus is accordingly fully adapted for a light bath in various.
diseases of a nervous or infectious nature, arthritis, skin diseases etc. any desired
light or ray medium being used with or without sand bath. The special con-
struction of the apparatus produces the following new effects in therapeutic
treatment by light.
a. It provides for the full employment of light in any form colour or tempera-
ture considered necessary and by the insertion of coloured glass slides in the
inserted boxes provides for coloured incandescent light according to the require-
ments hitherto an impossibility as separate lamp glasses had to be manufactured
in each colour.
b. It obviates the risk of burning by the outside position of its source of light.
This in previous apparatus was placed inside and caused invalids to perspire.
c. It affords complete freedom of motion an impossibility in previous light
baths and allows separate parts such as the axillary glands, the buttocks, the
uterus, to be freely subjected to the rays the energetic treatment of which parts
constitutes a chief factor in the light curative process.
d. It secures the lighting up of the naked or sand covered body on all sides
by means of concentrated colored chemical arc-light rays as also by incandescent
light even those parts of the body which hitherto were incapable of treatment as
they served as points of support for the body in the light bath.
Instead of the present bed form other modifications may of course be employed
such as hip baths eta. with external lighting arrangements.
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:
CLAIMS.
First. A medicinal light therapeutic apparatus for the production of complete
or partial baths of chemical or electrical rays of light characterised by a hollow
space with openings adjustable at will which permit the entrance of warm chemical
or cold arc light rays as also of incandescent light rays from without in such a
manner that the invalid lying in the light bath may be subjected to therapeutic
light treatment without restriction.

page_text: Second: A method of carrying out the light bath of Claim 1 characterised by
the chest bedstead (a) the source of light applied outside and the adjustable ray
absorbtion holder.
By George Barker,
LOUIS CUNOW.
Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Patent Agents,
Agent for Applicant, 77, Colmore Row, Birmingham.