Boyd Reilly (to accompany bill H.R. no. 534) February 7, 1838 : Mr. Duncan, from the Select Committee appointed on the subject, made the following report.

  • United States. Congress. House. Select Committee on the Memorial of Boyd Reilly.
Date:
[1838]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Boyd Reilly (to accompany bill H.R. no. 534) February 7, 1838 : Mr. Duncan, from the Select Committee appointed on the subject, made the following report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Philadelphia, June 20, 1832. Sir : In compliance with your request, I have great pleasure in stating to you my opinion of the utility of your bathing apparatus. The value of vapor-baths is fully acknowledged,and they have been long used as a remedial agent by medical practitioners. It has been a desidera¬ tum, however, to possess the means of applying it without subjecting feeble patients to the inconvenience and fatigue of sitting or standing while taking the bath. Mr. Reilly’s apparatus possesses this advantage in an eminent degree : the patient, while taking it, may repose as comfortably as in his ordinary bed. I would, therefore, particularly recommend this apparatus as worthy of patronage. It may be found useful not only in hospitals, but on board of our national vessels, where, on an emergency, a vapor-bath may be provided for patients in a few minutes. I am, very respectfully, THO. HARRIS, M Zb, Surgeon, U. S. N. Boyd Reilly, Esq. Note.—This communication, furnished by desire of the Secretary of War, is the third letter of Dr. Harris on this subject placed before Gov¬ ernment. From Doctor Washington, of the United States Navy. Washington, October 22, 1835. Dear Sir : I have looked over the pamphlet you left me respecting the use of sulphurous fumigations in paralysis and other chronic affections. The evidence of the utility of these fumigations is very satisfactory; and I am induced to think they might prove serviceable to Commodore Rod¬ gers, provided they were applied cautiously in the commencement. Respectfully, your obedient servant, B. WASHINGTON. Mr. Boyd Reilly. United States Ship Macedonian, New York, November 11, 1837. I do hereby certify that I have recently become acquainted with Doctor Boyd Reilly’s apparatus for vapor-bath, and am so well pleased with the simplicity of its structure, its easy management, and its adaptation to all cases in which the warm-bath is advisable, that I have procured it for the South Sea surveying and exploring expedition; and do unhesitatingly recommend it to the favorable notice of all naval surgeons, both at hos¬ pitals and on shipboard. This apparatus possesses two material advan¬ tages over any others, so far as I know, that have been in use: one is, that the patient is in the recumbent position in the bath; and the other is, that irrespirable vapors may be used without the least danger of their being inhaled. B. TICKNOR, Surgeon U. S. Navy.