Observations on sulphureous fumigations, as a powerful remedy in rheumatism and diseases of the skin / by William Wallace.

  • Wallace, William.
Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on sulphureous fumigations, as a powerful remedy in rheumatism and diseases of the skin / by William Wallace. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    contains it, which is easily done through the opening in the plate g that receives the stopper not provided with a funnel; also to open the two holes of the plate g, which are filled during the fumigation by the two stoppers; to shut the valve s of the tube q ; and, on the contrary, to open entirely the valves t of the tube r. The tube q thus having the communication with the fire place k cut off, requires much air, and obliges the at- mosphere of the room to enter into the apparatus by the two holes of the plate g, and by all the chinks of the box. This air mixes itself with the sulphureous acid contained in the appara- tus. The whole is then carried outwards by the tubes r; and the box, thus filled with pure air, may be opened without dan- ger of diffusing any injurious or disagreeable odour through the room in which the apparatus may be placed. It may be now' easily conceived, that, by this apparatus, we can also give, 1st fumigations of warm and dry air; 2dly, fumigations of warm air, saturated with watery vapour ; 3dly, fumigations of any acid, dry or saturated with water ; 4thly, fumigations of sulphuretted hydrogen in vapour; 5thly of sulphur in va- pour; 6thly of mercury in vapour; 7thly, of spirit in vapour. In fact, by this apparatus, assisted by the small steam boiler and evaporating lamps belonging to the fumigatory, we may administer all vapours, all gases, warm or cold, one by one, or mixed two and two'; three and three, four and four, &c. It is important to mention that these fumigations may be used not only for the cure of patients, but also for the disinfecting of the clothes, &c. of such as labour under fever and other conta- gious diseases—and that for this purpose it is only necessary to have hooks in the interior of the apparatus, upon which such cloths, &c. may be suspended.* Thus have I endeavoured to give a concise view of this ap- paratus, and of the manner of using it. To enter into all the minutiae respecting its construction, and mode of employment, would far exceed the limits, which I have assigned to these ob- servations. It would also require numerous plans, not compa- tible with the present undertaking. • Preparations are making for establishing, immediately, at the Skin Infir„ mary, a fumigating apparatus, on the same principle, which will accoippupo £ate eight patients at a time.