Year: 1898

page_text: 1, JAMES MACDONALD, 92, South Portland Street, Glasgow, Merchant Tailor,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
It consists of a prepared india-rubber vost of two coatings an outer and inner-
capable of containing either air or hot water, and having suitable valves for
filling and discharging the air or water. The vest opens at the right side and
shoulder with shoulder straps; and on the back and breast are attachments to
hold in position the hot appliances or poultices to be applied to the invalid.
I, JAMES MACDONALD, of No. 92, South Portland Street, Glasgow, North
Britain, 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:-
This invention relates to a vest adapted for medical purposes.
In carrying out my invention, the vest, which is of india-rubber, is cut to
the required shape and has an outer and inner coating with space between and
capable of containing either hot or cold water, or air according to the requirements
for which it is to be used. Suitable valves are provided for the charging and dis-
charging of the water and the inflation with or deflation of air. The vest opens
at the right side and shoulder and is provided with shoulder and side straps or
buckles or other catches for holding it in position. On the inside of the back
and breast are attachments for retaining the hot appliances or poultices which are
to be applied to the invalid or other person requiring it.
In order that my invention may be properly understood and readily carried into
effect I have appended one sheet of drawings of which
Figure 1 is a front elevation of vest shewing how it is applied.
Figure 2 is an inside view shewing more clearly the arrangement for holding
the poultices.
A is the vest which has an outer and inner coating and B is the valve for the
water while C is that for the air, D are the straps for retaining the vest in position
when placed on the invalid or other person using it. E are strips of rubber placed
on the inside of the vest at back and front and fixed at their ends but loose in the

page_text: centre to admit of a poultice or other hot appliance being placed between these and
the inner coating of the vest and which retain the poultice in its proper place. The
end of the centre strip E¹ is buttoned or hooked on to the vest so as to facilitate
the placing and removing of the poultice. Strips of tape or other such material
may be used in place of rubber, but the latter is preferred as it can be more
readily cleaned. Stays or ribs placed at suitable distances apart attach the outer
and inner layers of the vest, which not only prevent the water lodging at lower
end of it, but also allows it to spread over the whole of the vest and thus give
an even distribution of water.
In using the vest it is, according to the nature of the trouble, either filled with
hot or cold water or with air. If to retain the heat of a poultice it is filled with
hot water and the poultice is placed under the strips either at back or front or
both as may be desired and the vest put on in the ordinary manner.
In many
cases a poultice may not be necessary, the heat from the vest itself being sufficient
to meet requirements. To obviate danger to the patient, the temperature of the
vest may be ascertained by a thermometer placed under the armpit on the vest in
the inner surface.
From my improvements it will be obvious that I secure a long continuation of
heat in cataplastic applications, without disturbing the patient with frequent
repetitions; ease and comfort to the patient and equalization and continuance of
warmth to the vital organs without uncomfortable pressure.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be peiformed, I declare that what I
claim is: :―
A vest adapted for medical purposes constructed substantially as described and
illustrated on the accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 28th day of October 1898.
BOTTOMLEY & LIDDLE,
154, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow, Applicant's Patent Agents.