Specification of William Edward Newton : truss supports.

  • Newton, William Edward.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of William Edward Newton : truss supports. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Newtons Improved Truss Supports. pad P is formed on the end of a rod P, which may be composed of hard rubber, gutta percha, metal, or other suitable substance. It may be curved in such a manner that when introduced into the vagina its convexity will just fit the concavity of the sacrum and the curve of the rectum without touching 5 either of them, or the rod may be made straight or angular if desired ; this rod P when inserted into the vagina should reach about as high as the posterior fundus of the uterus, and in the top of the rod is attached a cross piece J^, which may be either adapted to rotate upon the rod P or fixed in a rigid position thereon and formed in one piece therewith ; this cross piece when the 10 rod is introduced passes behind the uterus and before the rectum, and carries the intervening and relaxed fold of the vagina upward before it, and in })roportion as it does this so stretches it as to compel the os uteri to be drawn back from the axis of the inferior to that of the superior strait of the pelvis, while the top or cross pieced^ crowds the fundus uteri forward from the 15 axis of the inferior to that of the superior strait, in short lateral obliquity, retro¬ version, or anti-version is prevented, or a retroverted uterus is restored to its altitude and proper axis without touching the uterus or rectum, but simply by elevating the vaginal septum in the curve of the superior sacrum, and also prolapsus of the urinary bladder is removed ; but to avoid danger of irritation 20 or ulceration by a too steady pressure of the cross piece on the vaginal tissue I construct a stirrup cup of shape and size adapted to receive and fit the os uteri; this I attach to the curved rod by means of a sliding ring and adjust it to any desired position upon the rod P by a set screw which passes through the ring and enters either of a series of small holes which may be 25 formed in the rod P, The cup and ring P are attached together by a hinge which is so formed as to allow the cup to fold up against the rod in introducing the uterine balance into the vagina and then allow it to fall to a horizontal position, or rather to a right angle with the rod, to cause it to assume which position a cord may be employed. When introduced 30 the rod J, and cross piece restore the desired uterine axis and the cup lifts the whole uterine body, and hence the pressure is so divided between the cross piece and cup that there is no danger of irritation or ulceration, and the uterus is compelled to assume its position and retain it so long as the piece is supported to a proper height. To do this, 35 and to prevent the uterine balance Totating in the vagina, the threaded protruding portion J of the rod is made flat at its sides like a tenon. The slot in the curved spring I, through which this tenon J passes, is made like a mortice, so that when inserted the rod is prevented from receiving any undue rotating movement. The spring I both crowds up the balance and