IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RESPIRATORY SHIELDS OR RESPIRATORS, SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO PARTLY APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF OTHER SURGICAL APPLIANCES."
Year: 1878

page_text: "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Richard Locke Johnson at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 1st March 1878.
RICHARD LOCKE JOHNSON, of Bloomsbury, in the County of Middlesex, Physician.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF RESPIRATORY SHIELDS OR RESPIRATORS,
SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING ALSO PARTLY APPLICABLE TO THE MANUFACTURE OF
OTHER SURGICAL APPLIANCES."
This Invention has for its object improvements in the manufacture of respiratory
shields or respirators, such improvements being also partly applicable to the manu-
facture of other surgical appliances.
Many and serious disadvantages have been attendant upon the use of the ordinary
respirator hitherto in use,―
Firstly. Their shape and appearance, as also the method of their attachment was
both inconvenient, unsightly, and awkward.
Secondly. Their inevitable tendency to corrosion, and the frequent cleansing
requisite to render them wearable with any degree of comfort.
Thirdly. The expense and labour of their production.
Fourthly. The constant and absolute necessity for their rearrangement.
Fifthly. The liability of the interstices, between the wires of which it is composed
being clogged with offensive matter.
Sixthly. Their tendency to promote strangulatory and other injurious symptoms
consequent upon their pressing closely against the lips of the wearer, and the
impossibility of healthy respiration through the clogged interstices.
Now, I propose to obviate these various disadvantages in the following manner :-
I manufacture, preferably from horn, owing both to its cheapness, lightness,
durability, and cleanliness, a respiratory shield or respirator which may be of
any convenient form, either ornamental or otherwise. Instead of horn, however,
vulcanite, papier mache, or any other suitable material may be employed.
In order to fasten the same I employ two elastic straps or strings having button
or other suitable attachments, whereby they are secured either at the sides or in
any other convenient position to the respiratory shield itself. Such attachments
pass laterally, and in a parallel line below the ears and round the back of the neck,
thus rendering it far more convenient to the wearer than those hitherto in use. Or
[Prine 2dı

page_text: if preferred, such respiratory shield may be secured by a suitable spring or screw, or
other convenient mechanical device placed in the centre at the bottom of the shield,
so as to clip the chin, and thus dispense with the side attachments before referred to.
The shape of the respiratory shield or respirator is such that it does not lie close
to the lips, but is formed slightly concave, so as to permit of free respiration at
the same time that it ensures the equalization of the temperature by the heat of
the breath emitted from the mouth of the wearer.
The advantages of my improved respiratory shield or respirator are,―
Firstly. Its light and elegant appearance, and the great economy and facility
with which it is manufactured.
Secondly. The facility with which it may either be put on or removed, at the
same time that it enables the wearer to converse without the necessity of altering
the position thereof owing to its peculiar shape, whereby it does not impede vocal
utterance by pressing against the lips of the wearer.
Thirdly. Its great cleanliness and consequent comfort, and the facility with which
any slight impurities may be removed from its surface, by wiping the same with the
handkerchief, after taking it off.
Fourthly. Its impossibility to corrode or decay or to become offensive to the wearer
by use.
Such improved material may also be applied with advantage to the manufacture
of suitable guards or shields to place over ulcers or wounds of any description, as
from its combined transparency and imperviousness to the atmosphere, it allows of
the inspection of the wound without the necessity of removing the covering, and
it is thus thoroughly protected from all risk of suffering by exposure.
Such improved material is also particularly adapted for the manufacture of splints
and other similar articles for surgical use from its very great lightness which is
combined with sufficient rigidity and absolute non-porosity.