Improvements in Hydropathic Bindings, Wrappers, or Bandages.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Left 28th Aug. 1889-Accepted. 12th Oct.. 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydropathic Bindings, Wrappers, or Bandages.
I FRIEDRICH MARX of 250 Friedrichstrasse Berlin in the Empire of Germany,
Dispensing Chemist, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention to be as
follows:-
For
My said Invention relates to bindings, wrappers or bandages for application to
the human body and chiefly for the purpose of sustaining a hydropathic compress
or other healing application in its proper place and for excluding the atmosphere
therefrom as is well understood. As at present applied such bandages usually con-
sist of a piece of material such as flannel or the like which is of the full width of
the part to be covered and which is simply wound round the body in several layers.
In practice I have found that not only does this form a dear bandage on account
of the quantity of the material used but is also most inefficient in many cases.
example in the case of a stout person or a person whose abdomen has become distended by
disease or from natural causes such as approaching motherhood a convex surface is
presented over which the broad bandage is passed with the result that although the
bandage may be drawn uncomfortably tight over the apex of the convexity a space
is always left at the top and bottom of the bandage through which the air enters
and frequently nulifies the good effects of the application. "In addition to this the
weight of material upon parts of the body where it is not required is frequently a
source of discomfort and such a bandage can never be made quite secure.
According to my invention I first of all take a piece of material sufficiently large
to cover the whole of the region to be occupied by the compress or other application.
But instead of making one large bandage of the full breadth I attach a narrow band
of say about three or four inches in breadth to one side of the large patch the said
band being of sufficient length to compass the body about three times. The com-
press or other application is secured to the large patch and is placed in position say
on the front of the abdomen. The attached band is then carried round the body
and is brought over the top of the patch, preventing all ingress of air. In its
next circuit the band is brought over the bottom of the patch so that both top and
bottom are effectually closed against the air. Lastly the band after another turn is
brought over the central portion of the patch and directly over the compress. The
band is then fastened by strings or laces and the whole forms a secure, light, com-
fortable, effective and inexpensive bandage. To render it still more secure I might
attach loops to the top and bottom of the patch and also to the centre and pass the
bands through these loops, thus rendering the whole bandage still more secure when
in position on the body."
000
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, St. James Square, Manchester, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Hydropathic Bindings, Wrappers, or Bandages.
I FRIEDRICH MARX of 250 Friedrichstrasse Berlin, in the Empire of Germany,
Dispensing Chemist, 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 and accompanying drawings:-
My said Invention relates to bindings, wrappers or bandages for application to the
human body and chiefly for the purpose of sustaining a hydropathic compress or
other healing application in its proper place and for excluding the atmosphere there-
from as is well understood.

page_text: The accompanying sheet of drawings illustrates my invention clearly.
As at present applied and as shown at Fig. 1 such bandages usually consist of a
piece of material such as flannel or the like which is of the full width of the part to
be covered and which is simply wound round the body in several layers. In practice
I have found that not only does this form an expensive bandage on account of the
quantity of the material used but is also most inefficient in many cases. For example
in the case of a stout person or a person whose abdomen has become distended by
disease or from natural causes as shown in the sketch a convex surface is presented
over which the broad bandage is passed with the result that although the bandage
may be drawn uncomfortably tight over the apex of the convexity a space is
always left at the top and bottom of the bandage through which the air enters as
shown by the arrows and frequently nulifies the good effects of the application. In
addition to this the weight of material upon parts of the body where it is not required
is frequently a source of discomfort and such a bandage can never be made quite
secure from slipping and becoming loose.
According to my invention which is shown at Figs. 2. 3. and 4 of the drawings I
first of all take a piece of material sufficiently large to cover the whole of the
affected part and carrying if desired a waterproof or other lining a or a compress pad
or poultice. But instead of making one large bandage of the full breadth of the
portion attach a narrow band c of say about three or four inches in breadth to one
side of the large patch the said band c being of sufficient length to compass the body.
about three times. The compress pad or other application a is secured to the large
patch and is placed in position say on the front of the abdomen as shown in Fig. 2.
The attached bande starting from the point marked I is then carried round the body
in an inclined direction and is brought over the top of the patch & thus preventing all
ingress of air at that point. This first circuit of the bandage c is marked II. In its.
next circuit which is marked III the band c is brought over the bottom of the
patch so that both top and bottom are effectually closed against the air. Lastly
the band e after another turn is brought over the central portion of the patch band
directly over the compress. The band is then fastened by strings or laces and the
whole forms a secure, light, comfortable, effective and inexpensive bandage. To
render it still more secure I might attach loops s to the top and bottom of the patch
and also to the centre if required and pass the bands through these loops, thus
rendering the whole bandage still more secure when in position on the body.
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 :-
A hydropathic or other binding wrapper or bandage composed of a large piece or
patch to cover the part affected and to carry the compress pad, or other application,
the said piece or patch having an attached narrower length or bandage which on
application to the body is carried over and around the said larger piece or patch and
tied shutting out the atmosphere from the compress and forming a secure, comfortable
and economical bandage substantially as hereinbefore described and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 27th day of August 1889.
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, 'St. James Square, Manchester; Agents.