Improvements in Foot-baths.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1890-Accepted, 3rd Jan., 1891
Improvements in Foot-baths.
I, MARY LYDIA WHITE MARTINOT, of 447 West 21st Street in the City County and
State of New York, United States of America, Inventor, 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:-
My invention relates to a foot-bath which is of such character that it may be com-
pactly folded when not in use and the inner surface of which will be brought in gentle
and agreeable contact with the flesh, thus facilitating the removal of callous skin and
promoting the action of the bath upon the entire foot and ankle.
Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this Specifica-
tion, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the foot bath and Figure 2 is a central
vertical section through the same. Similar figures of reference indicate corresponding
parts in both the views.
The bath is shaped essentially to the contour of a stocking, closely approximating
the form of the foot, and is ordinarily constructed of rubber.
A bath would he provided for each foot and the said baths are made slightly larger
than the boot of the person using the article.
The entire inner surface of the bath is roughened in any approved manner, as, for
instance, by a number of closely grouped teats 11 which are formed upon the said
surface, as illustrated. The leg portion 12 of the bath may be of any desired height,
and a strap, draw-string, or equivalent device, may be secured to the leg portion in
order to attach the bath to the bather's limb, thus enabling the bather to walk about
an apartment with comfort while in the act of bathing the feet. The foot portion 13
may, if found desirable, be provided with a sole of thicker material than the body of
the bath, but, preferably, the entire bath is made of one thickness of material.
Instead of rubber being used in the construction of the bath (which, however, is
preferred) any other water-proof material of like nature may be substituted.
In operation, a sufficient quantity of water and soap is placed in the bath, and the
foot of the bather is afterwards introduced. If the bather desires to assume a sitting
posture, occupying, for instance, a rocking-chair, it is not necessary that the upper
portion of the bath should be attached to the limb, and as its entire inner surface is
roughened any movement of the foot in the enclosing bath will cause sufficient
frictional contact to effectually remove any dead flesh or callous spots while at the
same time the action of the roughened surface upon the foot tends to materially soften
the same and promote circulation.
If it is necessary or desirable to allow the foot to remain in the bath for any length
of time, the said bath may be secured to the bather's limb and when this is accomplished
the bather, without suffering the slightest inconvenience, may walk around the room,
or a dwelling, for instance, and the act of walking will accelerate the action of the
bath.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is;-
1. As an improved article of manufacture, a foot bath constructed of a waterproof
material and shaped to approximate the contour of a foot, substantially as shewn and
described.
2. A foot hath constructed of a waterproof material anproximating the form of a

page_text: 3. A foot bath constructed of rubber approximating the shape of a foot and having
its entire inner surface roughened, as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 21st day of October 1890
M. L. W. MARTINOT.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.