Lessons in laryngoscopy and rhinoscopy : including the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the throat and nose / by Prosser James.

  • James, Prosser, 1836-1918.
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lessons in laryngoscopy and rhinoscopy : including the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the throat and nose / by Prosser James. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/200 (page 2)
    The difficulty was so to place the patient as to allow sufficient light to fall upon the mirror, and practically this was not attained until a second mirror was used to reflect the rays and direct them upon the first. This was essentially the starting point of laryngo- scopy. JSTevertheless, the simpler method of utilising the direct rays of light involves the principle of the laryngoscope, and those who persevered in the attempt thus to obtain a view of the larynx are entitled to the credit of having in some degree contributed to the progress of the art. A second great step in advance was the employment of artificial light, for this being always at command experiments could be carried on at any hour and in any room. As soon as this step was taken the modern laryngo- scope may be said to have been completed ; for the many variations in the shape of the mirrors, the mode of supporting the reflector or the lamp, can scarcely claim to do more than render the apparatus more convenient. This brings us to a consideration of the several forms of laryngoscope in common use. To describe them it is necessary to take each portion separately. The most important part of the apparatus—the laryngoscope itself, so to say—is the faucial or laryngeal mirror, as it is designated. It consists of a plane reflector mounted on a long stem. It may therefore be made of silvered glass, of burnished steel, or of any other good reflecting surface. Steel, however, is very apt to rust, and ordinary looking-glass is therefore most commonly used. Figs. 1, 2, 3. The shape of these mirrors has been discussed with some gravity, but is a matter of little importance. Some prefer them round, others thiak square, with the corners rounded, more convenient. Others maintain oval ones to be best. It is easy to see with either. Where the tonsils are enlarged an oblong shape may be essential, and in a few other cases it is very convenient.