Specification of William Robert Lake : inhaling apparatus.

  • Lake, William Robert.
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of William Robert Lake : inhaling apparatus. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Provisional Lake's Improved Inhaling Apparatus. To carry the said Invention into practice I construct an apparatus as follows:—I take a tube of glass or other suitable material about one half inch in its internal diameter and about four inches long. In this tube I insert a number of very small tubes of porous paper or other obsorbent material, which tubes may be enclosed within lining of similar paper or 5 other material applied internally to the said glass or other tube. Each end of the latter is provided with a stopper, and these stoppers should be attached to the tube by a small cord to prevent their loss. I introduce into the said tube any liquid suitable for the purpose of inhalation, which liquid will fill the small paper or other tubes and be absorbed in the 10 paper or other material of which they are formed, and any air passing through them will be saturated or impregnated with the vapour thereof. This vapour is drawn with the air into the throat and lungs by applying the mouth to one end of the tube, both ends being first unclosed by removing the stoppers. Eor convenience in carrying the inhaling 15 tube I provide a small box of wood or other suitable material formed with two chambers, in one of which the said tube is placed, while the other serves for the reception of a bottle containing a supply of the liquid for inhalation, with which liquid the said tubes may be replenished from time to time as required. The said box is also fitted with a wire dropper 20 or other device for facilitating the introduction of the liquid in proper quantities in the tube. I wish it understood that although the above dimensions of the tube are the most convenient for the purpose of my Invention, yet I do not limit myself to them, but may make the said tube as much larger or 25 smaller as may be thought desirable, and I make the said tube of glass, porcelain, metal, or other like material; or it may be partly of metal with its ends formed of glass or porcelain. I prefer however to form it entirely of glass or porcelain, as such materials are least affected by the action of the liquids used for inhalation. 30 Instead of using small internal tubes of paper I may employ sponge or other similar absorbent substance in the said tube for holding the liquid, but I prefer the said small tubes, as they permit a very free passage of the air and its thorough saturation with the vapour of the said liquid when it is drawn through the said apparatus by inhalation. 35