.« r^ & ***!K\ \ i , s y\r 7/5 ! -3- -# bbk-Ibm-I A \ 1 inns 111] PV__lY__E l_vWi c yy> r ^ '■■■ J '*: r a . n n \ H ; Sy* 'I ■ '~^w - 1 iA . U >4~ ¥5s i * *-i ¥ % ^ -\ AS... A' < r \f: /^< .-C" REMARKS ON THE RESPIRATOR, OR BREATH-WARMING INSTRUMENT. BY H. I. BOWDITCH, M. D. [Chiefly from Medical Almanac, 1841 ] This instrument was invented about four years since by Mr. Jeffreys, of London, and consists of numerous layers of fino metallic wires so arranged as to form a minute net work. These are prepared in such a man- ner that they can lie placed over the mouth, and the person will be able to face the severest cold or most violent wind without difficulty; for, in the first place the air is 3 warmed, and in the second, the violence of the current is wholly checked by the various angles each particle of air meets with in its passage through the instrument. The theory of its operation is this, the wire, be- coming heated by the expired air, in its turn, warms the external atmosphere that is arawn into the lungs. There are two Kinds one called the oral, because it covers merely tho mouth, the other, orinasal, bo- cause it covers the nostrils, as well as the mouth. As it may be imagined, the instru- ment is of great service to all who are lia- blo to cough on a change of temperature, and it is very extensively used in En»! and. So far as I can learn the first one in- troduced into Boston, was brought here to- wards the latter part of the winter of 1838, but oven now'comparatively few individu- als know its value as a palliative in all diseases of the chest and air passages. Various good results have been observed' to follow its use. I shall speak of some of those results as evinced by thirteen persons' who have used it in Boston. All, without exception, speak very warm- ly in favor of the instrument. One who was very much troubled with inflammatory af- fections orthe mouth and gums, owin» fre- quently to e.vposuro to cold air, was°veiv much relieved. Every ono knows the pang excited by a current of cold air upon a de- cayed toolh, but wi> h the respirator all this 4 difficulty is avoided. All, so far as I cart learn, have found that they were prevented from having an access of coughing from sudden changes of temperature. One told me that he could scarcely believe that so simple a conirivance could be of any im- portance, and therefore once had recourse to his handkerchief as a substitute, and the result was a violent attack of coughing. One individual had spent the winter of 1838-9 in the South, and prepared to go again last season, but being persuaded to keep at exercise in the open air of this country, and with the respirator constant- ly in use when out of doors, he was very comfortable during the winter. Another had been unable to sweep her room without great fatigue, and frequently an attack ot asthma. Upon using an instrument that 1 had made for her, and which was of a less complicated character than the English, (being made of tin instead of silver or gold) she was ahle to arrange a number of apart- ments without any difficulty of respiration, and with much less fatigue than she had previously experienced in attending to one room merely. .. „ This leads me to another suggestion made by one patient, who told me that be- fore beginning to use this instrument, she was frequently so exhausted by a short walk, that she found it impossible to speak or attend to anything when she arrived at 5 her place of destination. With the use of the respirator she walks with case. Again, n sensation of warmth is diffused over the whole system by the same means, so that the patient observes instantly when the res- pirator is off from the mouth, by the sensa- tion of coldness in the chest or over the whole frame. Another point f will mention which seems to me to be important, though less so to the physician than to his patient. One indi- vidual informs mo lhat after beginning to use the respirator, his physician's bill for at- tendance upon him was much less than it had been for many years previous, solely as was believed, in consequence of being able to go out without having an attack of bron- chitis supervene. The same person now walks instead of riding, whereby another item of expense is materially diminished. Hera then are some of the advantages re- sulting from the use of the Respirator. : So much for what 1 have observed. Mr. Jeffreys promises much more than this. The respirator, according to him,keeps the 'inspired air of a uniform moisture, for, if the external air be very dry tho particles of lit drawn through a net-work slightly mois- -tened by the breath, will become moist enough for comfortablo inhalation. Tho (reverse takes-place in too damp and cold an atmosphere, and the chilliness of the whole frame, caused by such, is wholly re- 6 moved. Mr. J. also recommends it to those affected by cough at night, and also to that more numerous class, those liable to cold feet, and as he says, with much benefit. " The great value of the respirator," says Mr. Jeffreys, "as one of the means of cur- ing disordeis of the chest, has led many persons to suppose that it was suited lor invalids only ; whereas, it is of the greatest value to a person in health, who ought to have it at hand to be put on when leaving a warm church or house at night, as he does a great coat, especially if he is to ride in an open caniago or chaise. It is on such occasions that the first cold is caught by a healthy person, and it would be far better that the attack should be prevented than have it to be cured afterwards. " It is a great mistake to suppose that a person will be made delicate by the respi- rator. So far is this from being the case that many delicate persons by using it have grown independent of its use. " A curious and important fact must not be omitted, however incredible it may at first appear, namely, that the respirator tends to warm the whole body, as well as to guard the lungs. This fact is noticed by a great many wearers, and It gives the respirator additional value to travellers on coaches, being to many persons more warm- ing than a second great coat." 1 cannot vouch for the truth of all the above statements, but this last fact has been noticed by one gentleman who resides in this country, and has used the respira- tor. He is a public speaker, but is in no wise diseased in the lungs. He finds the in- strument a great comfort to him, when he first comes in contact with the cold air al- ter addressing a crowded audience in a heated room. May rot the respirator be the means of preventing, if not of curing, the Minister's Ail so much discussed of late in our Boston Medical Journal. 1 he same gentleman has observed that he was warmer when ho used it than when he did not. Not a few of the invalids have likewise noticed the fact. . .. But I have thought whether a similar apparatus made of coarser materials might not be used in some professions in which the lungs are peculiarly exposed. A gentleman who was accustomed to using the respirator was suddenly alarmed with the appearance of a very dense smoke in one of the apart- ments of the house iu which he resided. Seizing the respirator he entered the room and without any difficulty of breathing ex- tinguished the fire. Could not therefore ourhosemen attached to the fireenginos have something similar to use, when com- pelled to enter into situations like^tnat above mentioned? The instrument should 8 be made of coarso wire painted, to prevent it'from oxidizing when washed to clear out the interstices. May not the orinasal instrument be like- wise useful to the steel grinders and work- ers in white lead ? PROFESSIONAL TESTIMONIAL. "Mb. Jeffreys's instrument, 'The Res- pirator,' having been submitted to our in- spection, we find it to be an instrument in- vented by him for the highly desirable ob- ject of warming the oir inhaled by those invalids to whom the breathing of cold air is distressing and injurious. We consider the instrument to "be founded on strictly philosophical principles; and wo admire in tho execution of it, both the rigid adherence to these principles, and tho delicacy of the workmanship. Wo believe it to be well calculated to effect its object, and wo re- commend it to the notice of the largo class of invalids for whoso comfort it is con- 'structed, and who are in urgent need of the means whereby they may enjoy air and ex- ercise, and follow their avocations abroad." This testimonial is signed by the gentle- men whose names are placed below :— 9 BABifioTOit B. G., M. D. F. R. S. Bhodie Sir Benj. Bart., F. R. S. Burnett, Sir William, K. C. N. Carlisle Sib Anthony, F. R. S. Chambers, W. F., M. J>. F. R. S. Clark, Sib James.Babt. M. D. F. R.S. Clarke, Sib Chables M., Bart. F. R.S. Conquest, J. T., M. D. Coopeb, Sir A., Babt. F. R. S. Daniell,J. F,F. R. S. Davies, Thomas, M. D. Eable, Henby, Esq,. F. R. S. Elliotson, John, M. D. F. R.S. Gobdon, Theodore, M. D. Holland, H., M. D. F. R. S. Hope, James, M. D. F. R- S. Hume, J. R., M. D. Johnson, James, M. D. Julius, Geo. C, M. D. Liston, Robert, Esq.. Lloyd, E. A., Eso.. M'Grigor, Sir James, Babt. macleod, roderick, m. d. Mayo, Thomas, M. 1). F. R. S. Eayo, Herbert, Esq.. F. R. S. Paris, J. Aybton, M D. F. R. S. Seymoub, Edwabd, M. D. Thomson, A. T., M. D, Thomson, H., M. D. Travers, Benjamin, Esq.. F. R. S. Watson, T., M. V. 10 DIRECTIONS FOR THE USE OF THE RESPIRATOR. 1. Make tho Respirator fit exactly the front pait of the mouth, by bending or Bt ruightening it. 2. Draw the strings that pass through those portions of the instrument, which rest above and below the lips, so tightly that the lips shall not touch the wires. 3. Arrrtnge the tics, belonging to the silk co.ver.ing, in such a way as will make the covering aid in the perfect exclusion of all external air except that which passes through the instrument. 4. In using the elastic cord for the sus- pension of the instrument, pass the cord round the neck, and the ribbon over tho head, shortening or lengthening the ribbon according to circumstances. 5. After using the instrument, dry the sponge that is on the inside and lower edge of it, by pressing a linen handkerchief upon it and wipe delicately the wires. 6. When soiled, unpin tho silk front, and wa»h the leather with a little thin so ap-suds. 11 PRICES OF THE RESPIRATOR. ORAL respibator, For the Mouth only, Medium Power, in general use. Small Largo Size. Size. Superior quality, (silver) $10,50 $13,00 Second quality, (plated) 7,00 f,00 ■k Third quality, (tin) 3,50 4,00 ORINASAL RESPIRATOR. For the Mouth and Nostrils, chiefly used during sleep to allay cough. Superior quality, $13,50 $15,00 Second quality, 8,00 9,50 Third quality, 5,50 6,50 lo suit persons who desire the most expensive materials, silver instruments faced with gold wire are manufactured. By means of an agency that 1 have in London, I hope to have constantly a supply of the English Respirators at the above prices. Letters from tho country (post paid) directed to H. I. Bowditch, M. D. 8 Otis Place, Boston, will be answered, but it must bo remembered that owing to ne- cessary arrangements in England no order can be attended to unless the money be paid in advance. Applications in the City, either at my office, or at tho Infirmary for Diseases of the Lungs, 13 School Street. Feb. 16, 1811. fr^S22y%i/ " TV, :'Sf ^ ^; ^ y ; I5S |«5^ ' llliE£f i^.il A ^^VrV'Hs^V^I Ijjsw ^ i^f ,y/ ;<** ^ -i \ V' r. / ...f ... r^o A . *. r\r / f f\ •\> >: A r\ AA\ ±'C ry V o ^ / ^ /••<**' f S M ^.;- Vr y\ ^ . V