US477975A - Henry e - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

H. E. WAITE. ELECTRIC BA'I'H APPARATUS.

- 'v UNITED ST'ATES vPATErJiT i OFFICE.

HENRY E..wAITE, o1 Nnw YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRlC-BTH APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 477,975, dated J une'28, 1892,

Application filecl May 17, 1892.

To all whom it may concern: z

Be it known that I, HENRY E. WAITE, a citizen-of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvem ents in Electric-Bath Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to electric-bath apparatus, and has for its object to provide means whereby a patient can be readily and successfully 'created to an electric bath either alone or in connection with other agents, and it is intended more especially for use in connection with a static electric machine, whereby the patient can be readily subjected to the influence of static electricity; and it consists in the various features of construction, arrangement, and mode of operation, substantially as more particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a general sectional view of one embodiment of my apparatus, showing in outline a static machine connected therewith. Fig. 2 is a horizontal transverse section.

The therapeutic ad vantages arisin g from the treatment of the person through the agency of static electricity are well recognized and need not be recited herein. i

In practice it is common to place the patient on an insulated stool or chair, which is properly connected to the influence-machin e, and then by means of electrodes of Various shapes-and forms to discharge the electricity through the patients, the electrode'being directed by the operator to the particular part or portion of the body which it is desired to subject to the action of the current. It is also common to treat the patient to `what is known as a static breeze, either direct or indirect, by the use of a suitableelectrode 01' terminal, which will distribute the minute currents of electricity over the parts of the head.

.It is one of the primary objects of my present invention to provide means whereby other parts of the body of the patient can be readily and easily subjected more particularly to this so-called electric breeze, either alone or in connection with other remedial agents.

In carrying out my invention I provide a bath apparatus comprising a suitable case A,

Serial No. 433,262. (No model.)

which is preferably made ofv non-conducting material and is of a size and Shape to conveniently receive the body of the patient. In the present instance I have shown it provided with door B and a perforated opening O at the top, through which the head of the patient can project while the body is practically inclosed in the case.

' Mounted in the case is' a platform D, which is either itself of insulating material or is su pported uponlegsd of insulating material, so as to more perfectly and securely insulate the body. Mounted on this table is a chair or stool E, which is preferably adj ustable to suit different patients, and is also preferably provided with a foot-rest E' so that the patient will be more thoroughly insulated when sitting on the chair or stool with his head projecting through the opening in the door C. This opening, also, is preferably provided with some non-conducting material c, as silk or rubber, which will prevent the body coming in actual contact with the case.

Arranged within the case is a series of electrodes F,which areshown in the present instance as being of annular form having inwardly-projecting teeth, and these are connected together both electrically and mechanically, they being preferably provided with insulated suspension-cords f, by means of which they may be raised to the upper part of the bath for the convenience of admitting the operator to the bath and to assume his position in the chair, when they can be lowered, so as to surround the trunk or other portion of the body. In the present instance I have shown three of these rings; but it will be nnderstood that any number may be used, according to the specific treatment desired, and they can be differently shaped and arranged', so as to direct the electric current to the dilferent parts of the body. These plates are connected by proper conductors to the binding-posts G G' which are insulated from the case, and which are also connected to the influence-machine H in any usual manner, so as to apply the direct or the indirect current, as desired. w

Arranged in the bottom of the case is an inlet I, which may be connected by a pipe J to a suitable pump or equivalent device, whereby the airin the case my be rarefied, a

suitable cock J controlling this pipe. Also connected to the inlet is a pipe K, leading to a suitable source, from which hot air or other medicated vapors may be supplied to the bath, it being provided with a controlling valve or cock k.

With this apparatns it will be evident that the patient can be effectively treated, and in doing so he enters the case, which is tightly closed around his body, and, if desired, a greater or less Vacuum is formed in the case, and the influence-machine is operated, when the currents of electricity, either in the form of a breeze, as in the apparatus shown and described, or in other forms, when ditferent electrodes are used, are directed to and pass onto and through the body of the patient'. At the same time the patient can be subjected to a vapor or other bath either of hot air or of medicated air. These Vapors tend to cause the pores of the skin to open, and the body of the patient Will more readily receive the electricity, and the ozone formed by the electric discharges will be absorbed, While the Sensation is very gratefnl and the treatment invigorating to the patient.

It will be seen that the whole apparatus is simple in structure, cheap to manufactur'e, and effective in use, and furnishes a ready means for the practica] application of the electric current in the treatment of the patient.

While I have thus described and illustrated the general principles of my invention and one means of applying it, it Will be understood that the details of construction and arrangement may be varied to suit the varirious requirements of each particular case, and I do not limit myself to the precise details shown and described.

What I claim is- 1. An electric-bath apparatus comprising an inclosing case, an insulated support within the case, a chair for the patient, and a series of rings having inwardly-proj ecting teeth arranged to surround the patient, and connections between the rings and an influencemachine, substantially as described.

2. In an electric-bath apparatus, the combination, with the case, of a series of annular rings having inwardly-projecting teeth, substantially as described.

3. In an electric-bath apparatus, the combination, with an inclosing` case, of a series of "rings having inwardly-projecting teeth, and

a pipe connected to the case, and connections with the pipe whereby the air in the case may be rarefied and vapors admitted, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with an influence-machine, of an inclosing case, an insulating-snpport, annular rings mounted in the case and connected to the influence machine, and means for exhausting the air in the case,snbstantially as described.

'In testimony Whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY E. WAlTE.

Vitnesses:

J AMEs OvERHoL'rz, MAY E. ARMsTRoNG.

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