Improvements in Obstetrical Devices.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Sept., 1891-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Obstetrical Devices.
I, LEWIS QUINTON THOMPSON, of Mokelumne Hill, in the County of Calaveras,
and State of California, United States of America, 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 :-
The object of this invention is to provide an obstetrical shoe which a lying-in
patient might apply and use without the aid of an attendant.
A further object of the invention is to do away with the unsightly harness used
upon lying-in patients during childbirth and to provide a cheap, neat and simple
device which may be quickly applied by the patient herself and afford means for
adjustment, whereby the same may be applied upon patients of different stature or
heights.
The invention will be fully understood from the following description and claims
when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which :-
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a slipper showing my improvements attached, and,
Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the slipper with the buckle attached.
Before describing the details of construction I desire to say that I am well aware
of other devices which have been made with a view of dispensing with the aid of an
attendant to hold the patient and to give such patient a support for the feet, knees
and back as well as furnishing grip loops for her hands.
Referring by letter to the accompanying drawings
A indicates a slipper which may be of leather, cloth or other suitable material.
This slipper is provided at the heel with a buckle a, which is attached to said heel
by means of a strap B, which strap is of a length sufficient to have the buckle
extend in rear of the slipper as shown.
C indicates the pull-strap. This strap is provided with holes b, at one end which
extend a sufficient distance of its length to render the attachment of the same
adjustable with respect to the slipper and thereby render the improvements capable
of use upon patients of large and small stature.
The opposite end of this strap is of an increased width and is looped as shown
and stitched upon itself at d, or otherwise suitably secured at that point.
The loop D is designed to receive the patient's hand but instead of furnishing a
grip, such loop is intended to embrace the wrist as by such means there is no danger
of the arms becoming lame as has heretofore been caused by attendants pulling
upon the patient's wrists.
In some cases it may be desirable to pad the loops D, although ordinarily it is
deemed sufficient to have the straps at this point broad so as not to cut or injure
the wrists.
In the application of my invention it is simply necessary to place the slippers on
the lying-in patient after she has been put to bed. The loops D are then placed
over the wrists of the patient and the strap adjusted in the buckle a, after which
the patient will have the power of giving the necessary extension, resistance and
counter-resistance during birth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
The combination with the slipper, of the buckle secured to the lower rear portion

page_text: to the slipper and having the broad wrist loop at its opposite end, substantially as
specified.
Dated this 8th dox of September 1801
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.