Specification of George Kershaw : medico-electric surfaces.

  • Kershaw, George.
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of George Kershaw : medico-electric surfaces. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Kershaw's Improvements in the Construction of Medico-electric Surfaces. the functional energy of the nervous or membranous systems of those parts, ro this end I adapt to the surface of some waterproof or other suitable non-con¬ ducting fabric metallic surfaces composed of discs, pieces or plates of positive and negative metals, which are to be made to overlap one the other, and are 5 kept in metallic contact. These discs, pieces, or plates may be disposed in a line to form a metallic band, which is to be metallically connected at its ends, and worn round an arm or leg affected by paralysis or slight symptoms akin thereto; or the discs may be arranged in the form of a circle, oval, or other circumscribing figure on the cloth to which they are attached. The attachment 10 of the discs to the cloth maybe by sewing, rivetting, or otherwise, but in what¬ ever way they are attached, the discs, pieces, or plates of positive and negative metal must be in metallic contact with each other, the zinc and the copper pieces (if these metals are used) being applied alternately and made to lap the- one over the other in regular succession to make up the figure. The medico- 15 electric surfaces thus produced, when applied by suitable bands or straps to the part affected will, by reason of the moisture of the skin, be set in action and impart the local stimulus required. In the accompanying Drawing I have shewn various forms in which these medico-electric belts or bandages may be made. 20 Fig. 1 represents a bandage which is intended to be applied to the chest or throat. The concave part a fits to the neck, around which it is secured by the elastic band or strap h, with the pointed or convex part of the banjdage down¬ wards ; c, c, are the zinc plates or discs ; and d, d, the copper plates or discs, which are sewed down to the waterproof or other non-conducting foundation 25 fabric e, as shewn in the sectional Figure 1% in which some of the plates or discs are removed to shew the mode of attachment. The part/, coloured red, represents a piece of flannel, cloth, or other fabric, which covers up the water¬ proof or other non-conducting fabric, and is capable of holding a certain amount of moisture, such as dilute acid or a solution of salt in water, for the 30 purpose of keeping up the electric action. Fig. 2 represents another form of bandage, which is intended to be applied to the loins or other part of the trunk. This bandage is constructed in precisely the same manner as the other, but is somewhat different in form. Fig. 3 is another form, which is intended to be applied to the knee, elbow, 35 or other projecting part of the body, for which purpose it is made concave, so that the knee cap may fit in it and the electric metal plates may completely surround the part affected. The foundation fabric e may be made of gutta percha, or india-rubber, or some suitable fabric, covered or prepared with either of these substances; or any other non-conducting substance, such as