On the science of easy chairs, reprinted from "Nature", Oct. 17, 1878 : On posture and its indications, reprinted from "The Lancet", July 2, 1892 / by T. Lauder Brunton, M.D., D.Sc.Edin., LL.D. (Hon) Aberd., F.R.S., &c., assistant-physician and lecturer on materia medica and therapeutics at St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

  • Brunton, T. Lauder (Thomas Lauder), 1844-1916
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the science of easy chairs, reprinted from "Nature", Oct. 17, 1878 : On posture and its indications, reprinted from "The Lancet", July 2, 1892 / by T. Lauder Brunton, M.D., D.Sc.Edin., LL.D. (Hon) Aberd., F.R.S., &c., assistant-physician and lecturer on materia medica and therapeutics at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    relaxing within, it seems to us probable that this process may also be aided by steady, constant pressure from with¬ out. No doubt it is impossible for such a steady pressure to take the place of the regular pumping action produced by the alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscles when in action, yet it will have a somewhat similar action, though to a very much less extent. For at each beat of the heart, as Mosso shows, the entire limb is distended by the blood driven into the vessels, and during the pauses between the beats it again becomes smaller. Each pulse, therefore, by distending the whole limb and each individual muscle will press out a little of the fluid contained in the fasciae in the same way as the contractions of the muscles themselves, and it seems to us probable that it is the aid which is afforded to this process by the gentle pressure exerted on the outside of the legs by a seat which supports them along their whole extent, that renders such a seat so peculiarly restful and agreeable. For an easy chair to be perfect, therefore, it ought not only to provide for complete relaxation of the muscles, for flexion and consequent laxity of the joints, but also for the easy return of blood and lymph not merely by the posture of the limbs themselves, but by equable support and pressure against as great a surface of the limbs as possible. Such are the theoretical demands, and it is interesting to notice how they are all fulfilled by the afore-mentioned chair in the shape of a straggling W, which the languor consequent upon a relaxing climate has taught the natives of India to make, and which is known all over the world.