Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1888
Specification Accepted, 8th Jan., 1889
I ELIZABETH MILNER certificated Ladys Nurse of 27 Swan Hill Shrewsbury in the
County of Salop 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 consists of the following arrangement of parts forming and consti-
tuting a belt, suitable for use by women, after child-birth and also suitable for general
wear in special cases for the purpose of supporting the abdomen until by natures
recuperative powers the body gradually resumes its normal contour and healthful shape
or configuration.
I will now proceed to describe in reference to the accompanying drawings the manner
in which my improved belt is constructed and used.
Figure 1 represents a back view of the belt spread open.
Figure 2 represents the belt fastened together by means of the straps and
buckles.
Figure 3 represents a plan of figure 2 in the direction of the arrow.
In carrying out my invention I provide calico, linen, or other suitable fabric and
form it into the shape represented at figure 1, at a, a¹, and a².
I may cut the belt out of one piece of fabric into the shape represented at figure 1
but for purposes of economy I prefer to use three or more pieces sewn together as
represented at c―c².
I next provide a series of straps d and sew them to the fabric a, a³, a², or secure them
to the fabric in any other suitable manner. One row of straps would be provided with
buckles of any suitable pattern as clearly represented on the illustrations figures 1 and 2.
In using my improved belt I should place or extend it as represented at figure 1,
excepting that it would be turned over with the straps underneath; the central portion
al would then be passed under the patients back, near the hips, the wings or flaps a
and a would then be brought together over the bowels and lower parts of the patients
body and the straps buckled together in the manner represented at figure 2; the
strap d is left unfastened on the illustration to shew the shape of the buckle e.

page_text: The straps would be tightened in the buckles to a tension suitable for effecting a
gradual and safe natural compression.
By the ordinary method of binding women after child-birth, a number of pins are
usually used in conjunction with a straight strip of fabric, such a method is slow and
irritating to the patient, moreover the pins get loose and leave no mark for the next
days tightening up, whereas by the use of my improved belt the patient can be quickly
and safely bound, and if required as quickly unbound and rebound again, to exactly
the same tension, the strap would indicate the marks of the buckle-prongs and thus
show a safe index for daily or gradual take up or tightening. My invention made in
the manner illustrated and described can be produced at a small cost for the use of
people with small means, or it may be made out of undyed silk, or other expensive
fabric mounted with silver buckles for the use of persons with large means.
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
claim is―
1st. The invention as illustrated and described for the purpose described.
2nd. The making of an abdominal belt suitable for the use of Women during their
lying-in term, by the combination of straps and buckles with fabric, in the manner
illustrated and described.