A NEW OR IMPROVED SURGICAL APPLI- ANCE FOR FACILITATING THE APPLICATION OF POULTICES TO THE HUMAN BODY
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Frederick Chapman, of 204, Hackney Road, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "A NEW OR IMPROVED SURGICAL APPLI-
ANCE FOR FACILITATING THE APPLICATION OF POULTICES TO THE HUMAN
BODY."
Sealed the 20th January 1880, and dated the 22nd July 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Frederick Chapman at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd July 1879.
FREDERICK CHAPMAN, of 204, Hackney Road, in the County of Middlesex..
"A NEW OR IMPROVED SURGICAL APPLIANCE' FOR FACILITATING THE APPLICATION
OF POULTICES TO THE HUMAN BODY."
This Invention relates to a new or improved appliance for facilitating the appli-
cation of poultices, fomentations, plasters, and the like applications to the human-
body, the object being to provide means for holding such like applications securely
to the parts to be treated without danger of their being shifted, and so as to keep
the clothing of the wearer free from being soiled or wetted.
:
The "holder" is formed of a backing of leather, canvas, or other textile material,
in some cases waterproofed, the edges of which backing are turned over so as to
form a lapped or folded edge around the same, under which edge the edges of the
linen or fabric upon which the material forming the poultice, fomentation, or
plaster is laid will be placed and held, and straps of elastic webbing or bands are
arranged transversely of the face of the "holder" for purpose of further security.
To the edges of the backing of the holder straps are attached, and will serve to
secure the holder with its charge in position upon the patient.
In cases where a certain amount of evaporation only is desirable a centre piece
or disc of netting will be let into the material forming the backing, and this again
may be reduced in area by interchangeable piece or pieces, or discs, which will be
laid over the netted centre to reduce the same.
To provide
a double holder for the chest and back for use in pulmonary inflamma-
tions two of the improved holders will be employed, and provided with shoulder
straps and side straps, with tongues and corresponding buckles for holding
purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Frederick Chapman in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 22nd
January 1880.
'
FREDERICK CHAPMAN, of 204, Hackney Road, in the County of Middlesex.
"A NEW OR IMPROVED SURGICAL APPLIANCE FOR FACILITATING THE APPLICATION
OF POULTICES TO THE HUMAN BODY."
This Invention relates to a new-or-improved appliance for facilitating the appli-
cation of poultices, fomentations, plasters, and the like applications to the human
body, the object being to provide means for holding such like applications securely,
and as desired interchangeably, to the parts to be treated without danger of their
being shifted off the part requiring the application, and so as to keep the clothing
of the wearer free from being soiled or wetted.
The "holder" is formed of a backing of waterproof, canvas, duck, or other water-
proof textile material, the edges of which backing are turned over so as to form a
lapped or folded edge around the same, under which edge the edges of the linen,
muslin, or fabric upon or within which the material forming the poultice, fomen-
tation, or plaster is laid will be placed and held, and straps of elastic webbing or
bands (elastic or non-elastic) are arranged transversely of the face of the "holder"
for purpose of further security. To the edges or outside surface of the backing of
the holder straps or fasteners are attached, and will serve to secure the holder with
its charge in position upon the patient.
In cases where a certain amount of evaporation only is desirable a centre piece
or disc of netting will be let into the material forming the backing, and this again
may be reduced in area by interchangeable piece or pieces or discs, which will be
laid over the netted centre to reduce the same.
To provide a double holder for the chest and back for use in pulmonary inflam-
mations two of the improved holders will be employed, and provided with shoulder
straps and side straps, with tongues and corresponding buckles for holding
purposes.
In the Drawings hereunto annexed Figs. 1 and 2 represent in front and back
view respectively one form of double holder in position for use on the chest and
back of a patient at one and the same time; Fig. 3 represents in front view an
arrangement of single holder with netted centre evaporation disc, straps, buckles,
and holding straps; Fig. 4, a like view of a double holder (one side of which is
fitted with the evaporation centre) and attachments; Figs. 5 and 5ª show inside
and front views respectively of a form of single holder with the overlapping border
-or-folded.edge for holding purposes, in addition to the elastic holding straps.
A is the backing of waterproof material; B, Figs: 5-and-5a, are the folding.
holding edges of the backings; C are the transverse straps of elastic webbing or
bands arranged on the face of the holder; D are the securing straps of the holders,
with buckles D¹ for ready attachment.
The netted centres E are provided in cases where a certain amount of evaporation
may be desirable, and the ring piece, Fig. 3ª, or discs of similar material to the
backing A are employed to more or less reduce the area of evaporation as may be
required. The various arrangements of straps D and attachments shown in the
Drawings are such as have been in actual use and made according to this In-
vention.
Having now described the nature and particulars of the said Invention in such
wise that the same may readily be carried into practical effect, I claim,
The new or improved surgical appliance for facilitating the application of
· poultices and such like matters employed in medical or surgical treatment to the
'

page_text: human body, having a backing A with holding parts B or C, or B and C, in com-
bination with the securing straps and buckles D and D¹, and with or without the
netted centre E, as herein before set forth and shown in the several Figures of the
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Frederick Chapman, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty first day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
In the presence of
WALTER A. BARLOW,
Patent Agent & Engineer,
6, St. Paul's Churchyard,
London, E.C.
FREDERICK CHAPMAN. (L.S.)