Specification of Joseph Amesbury : apparatus for supporting the human body.

  • Amesbury, Joseph, 1795-1864.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Joseph Amesbury : apparatus for supporting the human body. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Amesburys Apparatus for the Support of the Human JBody. and tlie manner in which the same is to be performed, are particularly shown and described in and by the Drawings hereunto annexed, and the following description thereof (that is to say):— In the course of my experience as a medical and surgical practitioner I have found that not only the bony structure, but in many cases also the soft 5 parts of the human body, require well-adapted support, sometimes for ease and comfort, and sometimes as a remedy for the prevention or removal of disease. These cases arrange themselves into several classes, which are for the most part distinguishable by their causes, and the removal of the effects of which require the assistance of mechanical support. That part of my Inven- 10 tion which I call my “ simple support ” is used instead of the common stays, and its advantages consist in giving comfortable support to the abdomen in children, growing persons, and others, in whom it is desirable to effect this purpose, and at the same time to increase the capacity of the chest. In certain cases of slight unnatural fulness of the abdomen, with or without 15 flattening of the sides of the chest, this support is used with a curative intention. In these cases it exerts a gentle pressure upon the abdomen, and is found highly beneficial in enlarging the chest, in restoring the natural figure of the body, and the healthy action of the affected parts. Figure 1 in the annexed Drawing represents this “ simple support ” as it is commonly 20 employed. It is for the most part composed of the usual materials employed in the structure of stays or corsets, but with the following variations :_A, A, in Figure 1, represent gaps made by cutting out angular pieces in the lower front part of the body support here shewn, and which can be opened or closed more or less, as required in use, by the following contrivance:—B, B, repre- 25 sent three tapes, which are firmly secured at one end of each to the insides of the gaps A, A, and are passed through eyelet holes formed on the outer sides of the gaps A, A. They are then united together and attached to two stronger tapes C, C, which are passed through a loop in front D, and can be tied tighter or slacker as may be required. Buckles E, E, E, and corresponding straps 30 F, F, F, are affixed on the back parts of this support, and on putting it upon the body of the wearer the two lower straps should be loosely fastened to their corresponding buckles, the arrangement of tapes in the front of the sup¬ port having been also previously loosened. The arrangement of tapes at the bottom of the front should then be tied sufficiently close over the lower end of 35 the front spring Gf, Gf, (which is here shown as inclosed or covered, but is shown separately in Figures 2 and 3,) to keep this part of the spring close against the lower part of the abdomen, and when this is done the back of the support is to be comfoitabl) fastened by means of the buckles and straps or laces, so as