Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production and Application of Medicated Vapour for Baths and Inhalation.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 22nd Apr.,
1899
Improved Process and Apparatus for the Production and Application
of Medicated Vapour for Baths and Inhalation.
I, JULIUS WEZEL, of 17, Dresdnerstrasse, Leipzig, in the Empire of Germany,
Manufacturer, 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 for an improved process and apparatus for the production and
application of medicated vapour for baths and inhalation relates to a process
with the arrangements thereto necessary, for applying medicaments over a wide
area.
Hitherto, when baths containing mineral, vegetable or other substances have
been ordered by physicians, in cases of affections of the limbs, the usual practice
has been to put the particular medicament into a hot water bath, whereby it is
dissolved, or extracted, and to let the patient remain for a while in the bath.
In such cases, a number of unnecessary, if not harmful substances come into
contact with the patient. By the present process, however, they are prevented
from doing so,
this being effected by applying the medicament to the body or parts
of the body in the form of vapour, the requisite steam being caused to pass from
any preferred source where generated, through the particular substances, salts,
vegetable matters-herbs, etc., whereby the parts of these which contain the effec-
tive elements are dissolved and conveyed with the steam passing through them.
in the form of a vapour bath, to the body or parts of the body, in the required
manner.
For this purpose, the arrangement hereinafter described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawing is employed.
Fig 1 is a front view of the arrangement employed in connection with the
steaming operation.
Fig. 2 a plan of the same.
Fig. 3 an enlarged sectional view of the steam pipe and the vessel in which
the steam is collected.
Fig. 4 a plan of the same.
Fig. 5 an elevation of apparatus employed for purposes of inhalation or
disinfection.
At the opening of the movable pipe r, which conveys the steam from any pre-
ferred steam generator, is a vessel & for collecting the steam. This vessel is closed
by an arched cover u.
In the interior of the steam collecting vessel t another vessel v is placed, into
which the medicaments are introduced for the purpose of being dissolved, or
extracted by the steam, this second vessel resting on the funnel shaped lower part
of the vessel t, the steam being thus forced to pass through the perforated bottom w
of the vessel v; whilst, on the other hand, the height of the vessel is such that
the passage for the steam between its upper edge and the cover u is restricted, so
as to compress the steam in its interior.

page_text: The medicaments are placed in the interior of the vessel for the purpose of
being dissolved or extracted by the steam and passing therewith through rows of
holes formed in the cover u, beyond the range of the vessel v.
The steam collecting vessel t is supported by a holder or stand on which it
can be suitably raised or lowered according to, requirement.
The steam collecting vessel is placed alone or together with others in a frame,
the top of which has a perforated surface s capable of being arranged for "lying
down Ol' sitting up" accordingly as may be required by the nature of the
steaming operation.
The arrangement is also admirably suited for purposes of inhalation (see Fig. 5)
as it affords a full breathing surface since the whole face is covered by the column
of vapour, not as is the case with inhalers hitherto employed, which allow a large
quantity of atmospheric air to be inhaled by the patient."
The process with the apparatus belonging thereto, is particularly suitable for
use in repeated injecting and disinfecting operations, intended to produce effects
by means of volatilised substances.
The apparatus may he employed as a vapour bath, the particular limb or part of
the body being placed on the surfaces and covered in the ordinary manner or it
can be used as a sitting" or "ying" bath, the body being partially covered,
or as a complete bath, with the whole body covered.
"
Moreover, in vapour bath establishments generally, extractive matter can be
applied to the steam, and the objectionable savour following such baths thus be
obviated.
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-
1. Process and apparatus for applying medicated vapour consisting in applying
medicaments (hitherto dissolved or extracted in water baths) to the body or part
of the body by means of a vapour bath, in such a manner that the vapour for the
bath is caused to pass through the particular medicaments, absorbing the same
or carrying them along with it, whereby they are applied to the body.
2. For carrying out the process indicated under Claim 1, a steam collecting
vessel attached to the mouth of the steam conducting pipe intended for vapour
baths and supported by a stand or holder p, in which vessel a second vessel with
a perforated bottom w and containing the medicament is placed, the steam passing
through the vessel and dissolving the medicament before leaving the steam
collecting vessel through rows of holes u in the cover for the purpose of pro-
ducing the desired effect.
Dated this Oth low of Vouch 1900
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.