Specification of William Clark : trusses and pessaries.

  • Clark, William.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of William Clark : trusses and pessaries. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/22 (page 10)
    Clark's Impts, in Hernial and Orthopedic Apparatus and Pessaries, manufacture trusses by machinery, which has never yet been attained hitherto. In order to facilitate the insertion of the double springs into the pads, I intro- duce them before screwing the knob on that part of the spring which has previously been backed with a wormed counter plate. I will now proceed to describe the improved mechanism for drawing in the 5 front pads of the truss by degrees, whereby they may be varied in thickness and length some fractions of an inch. I further apply the same drawing in mechanism to other similar apparatus, such as pessaries, for instance. Sheet 4 of the Drawing annexed, represents an improved pessary, for producing the instantaneous return of the basin. 10 This apparatus presents great advantages over those usually employed. Fig. 9, Sheet 4, shows the apparatus in red outlines, as it is being introduced, and in black lines when in its normal position. Fig. 10 indicates in horizontal section the position of the mechanism, and Fig. 11 shows the form of the hinges, which permits of the basin assuming the position required for 15 facilitating the insertion. The basin A, which may be of india-rubber hardened or otherwise, porcelain, boxwood, ivory, silver, or other suitable substance, is carried by a collar B, to which are fitted hinged rods C ; but this connection of the basin to the rods C may be otherwise effected, thus rendering the motion of the basin easier at this part. The rods C engage in 20 grooves provided for the purpose, between movable part D and stationary cover E; the movable part D is wormed internally, so as to admit a screw F, whose rotation in either direction produces the raising or depression of said part D. In order to prevent this part from turning with the screw, I form it with two longitudinal grooves, in which gear two screws, while a small 25 projecting edge is formed on part E, which works in the two grooves. The other two screws K engage in the flat parts of the hinged rods, which are provided for that purpose at their ends with a projection, so that the two screws K prevent the rods from escaping. Other systems of pessaries have been before made, which, although inclining, for the purpose of rendering the 30 insertion easier, can only be reversed very slowly, which I have endeavoured to improve. The horizontal position is somewhat difficult to obtain, as the part where the apparatus is laid cannot be observed, and it may occur that, / owing to a wrong inclination, the uterus may be badly directed, in which case the apparatus will prove rather hurtful than useful. An experienced practi- 35 tioner may object, perhaps, that this position may be well regulated by hand; supposing this to be true, which is not quite my opinion, yet in most cases it happens that the wearer is incapable of properly performing said operation; to remedy which I cause the basin to return of itself to its original position at