US2292666A - Therapeutic bath apparatus - Google Patents

Description

R. E. SCHURTZ THERAPEUTIC BATH APPARATUS 'F'iled Sept. 26. 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 KAT Saw/271, B 1)..

ATTORNEY 1,942- R. E. sc H uRTz 2,292,666

THERAPEUTIC BATH APPARATUS Filed Sept. 26, 1940 4 Shets-She'et 2 VENTOR: mic/W122,

ATTORNEY Augrll, 1942. R. s. SCHURTZ 2,292,666

' THERAPEUTIC BAT-H APPARATUS Filed Sept. 26, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 02/0222.

i ATTORNEY Aug. 11, 1942. j sg uR z I 2,292,666

THERAPEUTIC BATH APPARATUS I Filed Sept. 26, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. MSG/274775,

' Bl. I

My "4 ATTORNEY P atented Aug. 1'1,

UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICE 'malmrau'rro BATH ABPARATUS Ralph E. Schnrt'z, Kansas City, Mo. Application September 2 1940, Serial No. 358,557

11 Claims. (Cl.128 366)' The invention has for an object to present an improved construction in therapeutic bath de vices, to the end that the benefits of water, heat and massage, as well as light-ray treatments may be effected economically and efliciently. It is an important object of the invention to present such a device which may be constructed at a reasonable cost, and will have peculiar advantages for.

which will function simultaneously or independ- I ently, to permit scalp treatments by the intermittent vacuum method, utilizing the same fluid operating treatment medium for the operation of the scalp treating device. It is a special object of the invention to present a therapeutic bath device which will operate in an extremely simple way to effect treatment having characteristics which have been recognized as valuable in such treatments, such as, the projection of a water It is an important aim of the invention to present a novel method and-apparatus for producing effects from radio-active materials, with a minimizing of liability of burning, or other in-. jury of human tissue by such radiations.

Further, it is an object of the invention to introduoe .a novel action result in heat treatments corresponding to the artificial fever. treatments. Thus in the usual practice heretofore carried out the enhancing of the destruction of bacteria in the blood and tissues of the patient leaves much of the toxic materials still present in the body of the patient, the effect of which is often serious if not fatal. It is an important attainment of myinvention that these toxic materials are almost immediately removed in large part, relieving the bodily functionsof the patient of these processes to a large extent, but most important, in addition hastening such elimination so that the conditions incident to a crisis in illness are made less severe, and convalescence hastened and shortened.

Another important aim of the invention is to provide a novel construction of support for a spray against the person of a patient and the mattress or the like, upon which a patient may recline while receiving treatment in the appara-.- tus, and to present a novel circulatory heating system for the liquid employed in the treatment.

It is a further desideratum to enable the ready medication of theliquid used in the treatment I with this invention, and to enable the automatic peculiar variations of treatment suited to various cases may be efiected readily, and with great safety.

It is an object of the invention to enable treatments to raise the temperature of the body above normal, corresponding to the production of artificial fever. At the sarne time, it is an object to enable this character of heat treatment to be accompanied by stimulating effects which will avoid dangerous results sometimes manifest in heat or diathermic treatment under prior practice. In addition, it is an aim to enhance the benefits of the high temperature treatment by the functioning of my invention so that greater cellular-activity in the body of the patient is set up, increasing the eflfectiveness of, and acceleratcontrol of the temperature of the liquid medium in an efiicient manner,

Another aim is to enable the ready control of the force of the spray at the will of the patient, or the attendant.

' An important aim of the invention is to present a unitary apparatus and cabinet which may be set ing the eliminative results sought in artificial fever, and consequently enabling a shortening of the time required for such treatment, which i a factor of material advantage.

Also it is an aim of the invention to enable the attainment of similar benefits by heat treatments of more moderate kind extended over lon er periods of time, if desired.

up in any ordinary room or ward, without requiring water service connection and enabling the placing of the apparatus in operation by simply connecting electrical circuit leads.

It is a further object of the invention to prestood from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is an elevation of a cabinet constructed in accordance with the invention, with the top I in section and partly raised.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the lower section of the cabinet.

Figure 3 is a cross section of the cabinet while closed.

Figure 4 is a diagram of the electrical circuits.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the servo motor.

Figure 6 is an elevation partly in cross section relation, if desired. The slot 2| may be from onethereof and showing the operating and other de- I vices mounted in the upper part of the cabinet.

Figure 7 is a front elevation partly in section, of the parts in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a detail horizontal section of the vacuum valve and mounting.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 1 the cabinet closed.

Figure 10 is an elevation of a modified form of cabinet, open.

Figure 11 is an enlarged cross sectional detail of a possible mounting of the stand pipe, the trough construction, and the meeting-edges of the top and trough.

showing There is illustrated a bath cabinet unit adapted to be transported and set up in whatever location desired, convenient to some electrical outlet, although the features of the invention are also adapted, in case of need, to be embodied in permanent building structures, as will readily appear.

The cabinet includes a frame structure ID, including corner uprights I l, longitudinal lower stringers l2, and upper longitudinal side members l3, with suitable transverse connections as required, this frame work being adapted to be mounted on casters [5, if desired. The side members I3 at the upper part of the frame are made sufliciently strong to sustain a trough and bed structure with the weight of a person thereon, and in the present instance, are shown as simple planiform webs, secured at their ends to the adjacent corner pieces ll, extending horizontally throughout the length of the frame l0. Between these side members l3 and resting on the upper cross members I4 at the ends of the frame In, there is a trough device l6, preferably made of heavy galvanized metal, or other strong material resistant or impervious to corrosion by saline solutions or other solutions which it is contemplated to use in the apparatus, as will be explained. As a formal showing in the present instance, the trough is represented as it might be formed of sheet metal, with a rolled rim (Fig. 11) egrtending horizontally, one end of the trough bequarter to half an inch in vertical dimensions, more or less, as may be found necessary. A pillow cushion 24 with appropriate water-proofed covering is laid upon the trough extension 20', while mattress sections 25 and 26 respectively are laid upon the trough bottoms 20 and I 9, as shown, these mattress sections being suitably shaped to form as far as practicable, a continuous body sup-, port for a patient. Mounted upon suitable crossmembers 2'! between the stringers l2, there is an electric motor 28 shown asdirect connected to a centrifugal pump 29, the intake 30 of which opens through the bottom of the reservoir 22. The discharge conduit 3| from the pump leads to a stand pipe 32, through which water is conveyed to a nozzle head and servo motor and vacuum device, as will be more particularly described hereinafter. At a suitable location, a bi-pass valve 32 is connected into the conduit 3|, arranged to intercept and discharge directly into the reservoir 22 a portion of or all of the liquid delivered from the pump 29, this valve having a control 34, such as a hand-wheel, located conveniently to the mattress section 25, so as to be readily manipulated by a patient reclining on a mattress. On the reservoir 22 there are provided a series of electric heater elements 35, adapted to be controlled by means of a conventional circuit arrangement including a control 36, by which the degree of heat communicated to the water may be regulated. A switch 31 is also provided by which the motor 28 may be started or stopped, and a switch 38 by'which lamps 51 in the upper part of the apparatus, and used for light ray treatment, may be operated or controlled. For convenience,

- the switches and valve controls 34 are shown as ing flush with the end of the frame ll (Fig.8),

which is at the foot end of the apparatus, while the other end may extend beyond, as will be explained.

The sides of thetrough are continuous and have a horizontal upper edge throughout its length over the frame [0, but at the head end, are inclined upwardly, as at l8. A bottom portion I9 is formed in the trough at the foot end, and a corresponding bottom portion 20 at the head end, the former sloping downwardly from the foot end of the trough to a point toward the head end of the frame, preferably nearer the" head end than the middle of the frame, while the bottom 20 has a sharply inclined portion 20' sharply downwardly, while the inner portion 20 projected beyond the frame l0 and inclined v mounted on a panel 40 supported on the side member l3 of the frame thereadjacent, this panel being of comparatively small size, so that it will interfere in a minimum degree with access to the mattress or to the body of a patient lying thereon.

A housing is mounted on the frame, including a lower permanent portion which may include side and end plates 4| and 42, enclosing the frame It completely at the sides; an upper housing 44 is provided, in a single unitary element, having a lower. edge portion conforming generally to the'plan and dimensions of the frame l0. This'bbusing is hinged Suitably at the foot of the frame. ID, as shown at 45. The housing 44 consists, in the present instance, of two planiform, parallel side walls 46, each semi-circular in form, upon the curved edges of which there is bent a continuous outer wall 41, united or secured to the walls 46 in a suitable manner. The walls 46 and 41 may be formed of one of the commercially available ply-boards, or insulating board, suitably faced, or other materials, preferably one which has a low coeflicient of heat conduction. The lower edge portion of is provided with a cushioned edge material 42 over the frame is inclined more gradually down- (Figure 11) of resilient rubber or other suitable material, adapted to rest against the upper edges of the trough portion so as to form a continuous seal at the sides and .foot.of the trough. Across the ends of the housing 44 next the head of the apparatus, however, a semicircular arched opening 48 is formed,- from above which a suitable apron or other means 58 is provided, adapted to be let down upon or be fitted to the neck of a patient lying upon the mattress, with the patient's head resting upon the pillow portion 24 without the housing 44. The end wall 41 adjacent the opening 48 may fit down closely beyond the end of the, mattress section 25, between the latter and the pillow section 24, if desired.

The upper casingelement 48-41 or cover, may be counterbalanced in any approved manner, so that when lowered, it will remain in closed position, with its edge portion 48 in sealed relation to the edges of the trugh, but will require only a slight effort to effect the raising thereof. Forthis purpose, handles may be fixed to the inner sides near the opening. 48, and also applied to the outside of the cover. The pipe 3| from the pump is shown as connected to the stand pipe 32 by means of a conventional union 52, and located below the adjacent housing member I3 of the frame I8. The pipe 32 is supported by being welded or otherwise secured to a cross plate 54, the latter supporting the forward edge of the bottom I8. If desired, a bracket 53 may be used, attached to the side member I3 and connected to the upper member of the union 52 by the usual bolts securing the flanges of the union together, and by this means the pipe 32 is supported against latera] movement. In the present instance, the pipe 32 may extend through a sleeve 55 joined to the bottom of the trough, located close to the side of the trough and outwardly of the mattress section 25.

The pipe 32 is utilized as a support for a massage jet device and servomotor for moving the same, as well as carrying a bracket 58 carrying a plurality of electric lamps 51 or other devices to produce desired forms of rays, these lamps being adapted to be controlled by the to a portion of a vacuum scalp treating device,

to be subsequently described in detail.

Mounted on the upper end of the nipple 8|,

there is a servomotor 15 (see Fig. 5), which in the present instance is shown as including a cylindrical drum body ,15, having an integral closing head 11 at one end, and adjacent this end at the rear there is formed on the drum a socket 18 receiving snugly the upper end of the nipple 6|, to which it is pinned. The-opposite end of the drum is open and flanged as at I8, and closed by a diaphragm 88, which is secured thereto by a cap plate 8I which is slightly 1 nally of an arm 88 projected radially from a transverse rock shaft 88 extended through the wall of the drum. For this purpose the arm 88 is longitudinally slotted, and the pin 81 has a reduced tenon extended through the slot and secured by a nut 81'. The wall of the drum 15 is thickened and formed with a boss 88 to afford a good bearing for the shaft 88, and finished with a'planiform outer face around the shaft to which there is secured a cap 8| suit-' ably flanged and attached by screws engaged therethrough, the cap being considerably larger than the shaft and having a flange 82 at its outer part engaged closely around the shaft spaced a substantial distance from the boss 88, and a collar 83 sealed to the shaft is pressed against the flange 82 by means of a spring 84 seated against the boss 88 within the cup 8|, forming a water tight joint.

The shaft 88 is extended a substantial distance beyond the cup 8| and has longitudinally adjustable thereon a sleeve 85 held by means of a set screw 88 impinging on the shaft and provided switch 38, before referred to, through any usual electrical circuit for the purpose.

In the present instance a conduit 58 is shownfor conducting the wires 58 from the lower part of the apparatus to a part closely adjacent the bracket 58, although these wires may be completely enclosed to the lamps 51 in any approved manner, if desired. Engaged on the upper end of the pipe 32 there is a four-way T 58, the upper arm of which is sealed and has a nipple 6| set therein and extending a distance thereabove, the bracket 58 having asleeve portion engaged on this nipple and secured in any suitable way. The left arm 63 cf the T 68 as viewed in Figure 7, has a valve 84 connected thereto, from which an L 55 opens downwardly. and has connected thereto a flexible hose 58 with a loop of suitable length therein, its outer end being attached 1 to a jet head 61, to be subsequently described.

The .right'hand arm 88 of the T 68 (see Fig. 7) has connected thereto a stop valve 88, having a discharge directed downwardly, in which there is fitted a jet plug I8 engaged in a Venturi element II, a pipe 12 leading from the opposite end which a pipe 13 is connected, leading upwardly .15

with a right angle extension 81 at its outer end also of tubular form in-which there is flexibly engaged a stem piece 88 secured by a set screw 88. On the outer end of this stem the Jet head 5.! before mentioned is fixed. In the present instance, the jet head 81 comprises a multi-jet circular plate portion I88. and a bell shaped case or body |8|, the upper end of which is formed with a socket I82 in which the stem 88 is secured.

The drum I8 is formed with a boss I84 at the lower side, finished with a'planiform bottom face exterior of the drum and through this face a port I85 opens directly into the drum,. while and the diaphragm. A valve box I88 is secured with a good seal joint against the faceof the boss I84, and having therewithin a chamber in which a valve II. is" reciprocable against the face of the boss, being held against the boss by a tapered helical spring III. The box is shaped so as to hold the valve III slidable longitudinally the other will be closed, the valve being sufliciently extended beyond the port I I2 for this purpose. A pipe H3 is engaged through one end of the box I99, and leads to and is connected into .the T 50 at the front side, so that water pressure from the pipe 32 will be communicated to the box I09 so as to be admitted to one side or the other of.the drum of the diaphragm 80, according to the position of the valve IIO. No valve shown in the pipe II3, but the omission or provision of such valve is discretionary.

For the operation of the valve I I0, it is formed with a recess next to the drum, and the port I05 is enlarged in one direction to register with this recess at all times. A vertical plate I I5 is mounted on the lower side of the drum adjacent the port I05, and on this plate a lever I I6 is pivoted. having one arm extended downwardly through the port I05 and set in the recess II4 while an opposite arm of the lever is extended upwardly beside the plunger 83. The plate H5 is provided with stops II! and H8 at the left and right of the upper lever arm, so spaced as to limit its movement to the respective positions of the valve, with its port II2 registered with either the port I05 or the port I06. The plate H5 is located just below the plunger 83, and the lever IIB oscillates closely beside the plunger, but stopping adjacent the lower part thereof. Formed on the plunger there is a lateral boss II9 projected laterally toward the side at which the lever is located, and arranged to passover the lever in reciprocation of the plunger. A helical spring I is provided, having along arm and a short arm I2I and I22 respectively, the long arm having an end pivoted at the extremity of the boss II9, while the short arm is correspond ingly pivoted on the lever II8, the short a m I22 being located at the end of the helix I20' next to the lever. In this manner, with the parts in the position shown in Figure 5, the spring is under tension between the boss I I9 and the lever, tending to thrust the lever toward the right. But when the plunger is moved tothe rightand beyond the lever, it will in this movement gradually swing the helix I20 upwardly, so that the latter will move in an arc with the extremity of the arm I22 as a center, until, when the boss I I9 passes beyond the lever sufiiciently, the spring device will be completely. inverted, and by the direction by the water pressure, water at the opposite side of the diaphragm may be vented through the corresponding waste pipe. These pipes are extended downwardly to a space beside the mattress and over the trough between the.

directions by the fingers 85 on the plunger will inherent force of the spring tending to separate the arms, the lever I I8 will be then thrust toward the left, shifting the valve IIO toward the right.

In the position shown in Figure 5, with the valve in the left-hand position, when the pump 29 is in operation, water pressure will be admitted through the pipe II3 passing through the valve and port I95 into the drum, where is will gradually thrust the diaphragm toward the right. This will effect the movement of the spring described, and when the valve is shifted to the right, water pressure will be admitted through the port I06 to the opposite side of the diaphragm so that I the latter will tend to be thrust toward the left again. In order to permit these movements of the diaphragm while thedrum is full of water,

or-the space between the diaphragm and the cap tively, so that as the diaphragm is moved in one cause the jet head 61 to be swung in respective directions, due to the rocking of the shaft 89 thus produced.

By means of a bracket I2'I secured to the flange I9, a guide block I28 is mounted to the right of the drum, in a plane substantially at right angles to the shaft 89 between the packing cap 9| and the sleeve of the nozzle head mounting. This block I 28 is' elongated vertically, and adjacent its upper and lower ends is formed with guide bores in which there are slidable respective horizontal rods I29. Secured to the ends of these rods next the shaft 89 there is a vertical wiper block I30, and confined between this wiper block and the guide block I28 there are helical springs I3I engaged around respective rods I29 tending to hold the block I30 toward the shaft 89. At their opposite ends the rods I29 have fixed thereon a valve block I32, and on the side next the block I28 a valve I33 is formed, adapted to seat in a port I34 formed in the side of the block I28 adjacent and opposed to the block I32, and the springs I3I function to press the rods toward the left until the valve I33 is seated in the port, whereby i sliding movement in that direction is checked.

The block I32 is adjustable on the rods I29 by means of set screws I35 engaged in the block I32 and impinging upon the respective rods, the block being otherwise slidable on the rods. Fixed on the shaft 89 adjustably, there is a small hub I36 having a wiper arm I31 ,alined- I 30, thus allowing the valve I33 to seat and close its port, and when the arm 91 and jet head 61 swingto the opposite limit of movement, the wiper I31 will have engaged the block I30 and moved it toward the right, so as to unseat the valve I33 against the action of the springs I'3I. The block I28 is formed with, a passage I39 therethrough, extending horizontally transverse to the plane of the rods I29, and located intermediately of these rods, the port I34 communi cating with this passage. The pipe I3 at the front side of the Venturi element II is connected to one end of this passage, while at the opposite end, a nipple I40 is engaged therewith, to which a hose -I4I is connected of suitable length to extend therefromto the exterior of the upper cabinet housing 44, the outer end of this hose being,connected to a conventional type of metal helmet or hood, I42, having a large pneumatic or otherwise elastic edging I43, adapted to accommodate itself to heads of various sizes. to fit around the base of the scalp and prevent ingress rack I45. Suitable brackets or hangers I 46 may be provided under the pillow portion of the device to support the hood when not in use, and one of these brackets may be the device I45 by which the slack hose is supported, if desired.

The counter balance for the cabinet top may consist of a counter balance unit I 41 mounted on the pipe 32 below the .T 60, and having an extensible andretractable cable or th like, I48 extended to a point near thelower edge of the top 44, and attached to the sides of the wall thereof, the counterbalance being adjusted so that the top will remain in any position to which it is moved manually.

Mounted transversely in the reservoir. 22, directly under the slot 2I, there is an ultra-violet light tube I50, the length of this tube preferably being equal to the full width of the reservoir, and the latter being also the total width of the trough I6. The electrical leads I49 from this tube may be connected to the motor lead wires, so that when the switch 31 is operated to close the circuit to the motor, it will also close the circuit to the tube I50, although the device may be separately connected, if desired, these practices being well understood and no details thereof are shown. It will be noted thatv the tube I50 is so located that water passing through'the slot 2I will fall especially upon the upper side of the tube, so that water will flow over the sides of the tube in each direction, exposing th water to the action of the rays emitted in a most ef-,

fectivemanner. By reason of adhesion of water to thetube, water will pass to the extreme under side of the tube before leaving it, as will be readily understood,

In the operation of the apparatus, in order to enable the patient or attendant to insure proper temperature in the water circulated by .the pump, or in the space within the cabinet, a thermostat I5I may be mounted in the cabinet or associated with the pipe 32or the reservoir 22, and may include an adjustment device I52 by which it will respond to various degrees of heat to interrupt the current to the heater unit 35. It may be incorporated in the cabinet, and properly connected in a circuit to the heaters. Preferably, this device will control the heat circuit independently of the switch 36. A proper volume of water or other liquid for 'use in the operation of the device being supplied to the reservoir 22, if the treatment is to include thermal effects, the switch 36 is operated to bring the water to a proper temperature, after which the motor is set in operation to circulate the water for a time until the pipes and jet heads have become warmed. The patient may then assume position upon the mattress after raisin of the top 44, and the latter is then lowered while the patients head is resting upon the pillow'section 24, after which the apron or other closure 50 is adjusted to the opening around the neckof the patient. and the valve 04 being open, the by-pass valve 32' is adjusted so asto produce the proper force of water ejected from the jets of thehead 51. The patient or the attendantmay then adjust the valves I and I26 to regulate the rate of movement of the head 6'! in its oscillation. This may include a rapid return movement of the head 61 toward the head of the patient, and a slow movement of the head 61 in its travel in the opposite direction, or both movements may be otherwise adjusted relatively, so that both are the same, or'may differ in varying degrees in either direction.

It desired, the stud 84 upon which the plunger 83 slides may be the inner portion of a screw device I53, by which movement of the plunger in one direction may be limited, and its move-' ment in the opposite direction may be controlled by a screw I54 engaged in the cap plate 0| In the use of pure water or aqueous solutions for circulating in the device, the repeated action of the ultra-violet light on the water will serve to sterilize itand so kill all germs and bacteria removed from the body of apatient by the liquid.

The pump being set in operation,

Other irradiating means may be employed alternatively or additionally if desired.

It is contemplated to use various chemicals in solution and water as well as' other liquids, for their beneficial effects, and these may conform to familiar practices or to new and approved methods yet to be perfected. If it is desired that" spray or jet to other parts of the body, the de-;

vice may be entirely stopped byclosing either of the bleed valves I25 or I26, and byclosing these at the right time in the movement of the servo motor, the liquid projected from the head 61 will engage the body at the desired area.

In order to treat the scalp of a patient with a vacuum device, the cap or hood I 42 is adjusted on the head of the patient, with the edging I43 engaging the skin just beyond the edges of the hair of the scalp. The valve 69 then being opened, the jet of liquid projected from the member 10 through the throat of the Venturi element 'II, will eject air from. the part II into the Pipe I2, the water and the air in pipe "discharging into the trough, while the air is permitted to escape to the atmosphere within the cabinet.

This produces powerful suction, which is comseats the valve I33; therewill then be an inrush oi. air through the port I34, which will relieve the vacuous condition in the hood I42, and as soon as the wiper I 31 disengagesv the block I30, air will again be drawn from the hood I42, producing a repeated vacuous condition therein. These alternations of vacuous condition and atmospheric pressure are recognized as highly beneficial in scalp treatments for promoting growth of the hair, and generally healthy condition of the scalp.

Owing to the effect on the brain, the promotion of circulation of blood in the scalp in excess of ordinary circulation will contribute to the .wardly to close the open therapeutic benefits incident to baths and massage administered through the liquid circulating system of the apparatus, including the head 61. If desired, however, the projection of liquid from the head 61 may be stopped while the vacuous pulsations in the hood I42 are produced, and these may be be accompanied by treatments from. the lamps 51, either by thermal effects, or benefits of light ray action.

It will be recognized that benefits may be obtained by the use of this apparatus without the heating of the liquid, and it may be found desirable to use a heat absorbing means at 35, these devices being essentially heat transfer elements.

It will be understood that while I have described a specific embodiment of the invention with great particularity, nevertheless, this is purely exemplary, and various changes in construction, arrangement and by substitution of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims. 4

Thus, in Figure 10 there is illustrated a modification of the cabinet, in which a substantially rectangular chamber ISO is provided, which includes a lower portion substantially the same;as that first described, including the trough and mattress elements. The liquid circulating means and other appliances may also be the same as first described, only the upper cabinet structure being different. This structure includes a top frame IBI permanently closed at the far side as viewed in Figure 10, at the foot, and at the left half of the near side, the top frame ISI being without any support at the right hand near corner, but only supported at the back. A sliding door I62 is provided, which may be drawn forside of the cabinet for one-half the distance from foot, the remainder being closed by the portion I60, which may also be slidable, if desired, and the opening across the head end of the cabinet over the patient is closed by a swinging end piece I63, hinged on the frame ISI at the top, this end piece having a lower portion formed of soft fabric, stopping sufiiciently above the level of the mattress to clear the head of the patient when the panel I63 is swung to closed position. It includes side portions I54 adapted to swing beside the mattress or pillow section 24. By the omission of any comer post whatever at the one side and head end of the device, movement of the patient to and from the cabinet is greatly facilitated, with a comfort. I

The diaphragm 80 may be termed a piston and the term piston may include the plunger 83.

The by-pass valve 32' may be opened partly or entirely to relieve pressure in the liquid passing through the pipe 32 asJnust quired. It is most expedient and economical to operate the motor 28 without rheostat or other speed control, so that it will tend to run at maximum speed at all times. This, with the valve. 32' closed, will produce a high pressure in the liquid delivered to the jet head 81 and the jets therefrom will impinge upon the person of the patient with considerable force, evenwhen the air ejector of the vacuum device is in operation. A

By opening the by-pass valve 32' the pressure in the pipe 32 is relieved topan extent proportional to the part of the total output of the pump that is permitted to flow directly back to the reservoir through the valve 32'.

In case a solution is used in the reservoir which minimum liability of. injury or disasmaybere- ,is capable of radioactivity after excitation or the head toward the irradiation by an appropriate light or other wave emitting means at the tube Iill the germicidal effects of the treatments with the apparatus are much enhanced, and also some effects obtained which are not possible otherwise, notably intratissue germicidal action, and stimulation of corpuscular activity independently of and coniointly or simultaneously with the effects of heat and massage.

In case the cabinet is completely sealed against ingress of air (the reservoir 22 being sealed to the trough bottom 20) and the patient entirely enclosed by the cabinet top, the hose from the hood I42, or the hood itself, may be introduced into the .cabinet, so that a vacuous condition is produced therein. This will have the effect of expanding gases in the blood, lymph and other fluids of the body, so that these will escape from, or be absorbed from the skin by the treatment liquid so that they may be purified; and by discontinuing operation of the ejector II, while the jet heat 61 is continued in action, a re-absorption of purified air by the body liquids will be efiected, with a corresponding pathogenic benefit. Various chemicals may be introduced into the liquid in the reservoir, the practice of which is well understood, and it will be appreciated that the liquid introduced into the reservoir may consist of pure water, or various solutions in water, or it may comprise oils or mixtures thereof with water, or gelatinous substances, soaps, saponifiers, etc., singly or in mixtures.

The advantages of having the end wall of the cover 44 pass between the pillow element 24 and mattress section 25 are numerous. Thus, liability of wetting the pillow is minimized as well as wetting or soiling of the hair, and noise of impact of water against the patient, mattress, and other surfaces is better confined.

By providing a proper closure at the opening 49 to seal the cabinet around the neck of the patient, and by proper timing of the movements of the motor I5, the benefits of pulmotor action combined with the additional treatments indicated may be obtained, which may be found advantageous in cases of excessive debility, as distinct from total pulmonary paralysis. The adaptation of the invention may also be carried further for use in sustaining breathing in pulmonary paralysis.

While I have disclosed a foraminate nozzle head, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the form of spray produced by such a head, and other forms of nozzles may be employed conforming to conventional practices for producing jets or sprays, whether including a foraminate head or single opening devices.

' The pipe elements 20 and 3| to and from the pump or portions thereof may be rubber or other non-rigid or vibration and noise-absorbing material, so as to lessen vibration and noise transmitted from the motor and resonated by the structural and operating elements. This might eliminate the need for the union 2.

I claim:

1. In a bath apparatus, a reservoir, 9. tray device having drain communication with the reservoir, a liquid pump having intake connection with the reservoir, a chamber having an intermediate 0 piston reciprocable therein and closed at opposite sides of the piston, a conduit having branched communications with the ends of the chamber, valve means to closeand open said communications alternately, vent means for each end of the medial longitudinal vertical plane of the piston,

an eccentric thereon, operative connection bev tween the piston and eccentric, and a jet head over the tray extended radially from the shaft for sweep movement longitudinally of said tray,

and duct connections between the jet head and 5 said discharge pipe.

3. The structure of claim 2 in which said vent means consists of two conduits opening from respective ends of the chamber and discharging close to the tray and respective manually adjustable bleed valves in the conduit beside the tray.

4. A system of the character described consisting of a reservoir, a tray having drain communication with the reservoir, a pump having an duct connection between the said jet member and said water supply duct, an air duct to the ejector device, a port in the air duct'ror communication with the atmosphere, said valve being mounted to seat-in said port when said wiper arm is disengaged from said block.

9. A jet operating device for bath apparatus of the character described consisting of a chamber, a piston reciprocable therein, a rock shaft mounted on the chamber having a crank, a

slotted member fixed with the piston and receiv-' ing said crank therein whereby the latter will be oscillated by reciprocation of the piston, said shaft having a laterally projected jet head thereon, means to supply liquid under pressure including a delivery duct connected to the jet head and having an operating branch to the chamber, said chamber having a port opening through the wall thereof at one end and having a second port. spaced therefrom and opening through the same'external' surface but communicating with the opposite end of the chamber, a valve secured over both ports, said duct branch opening into said box, a valve reciprocable in the .box ported to uncover the first named two ports alternately and having portions to lap those ports at other times, the first named port being enlarged in the general direction of reciprocation of the piston,

positions of the valve with said port enlargement,

a lever pivoted in the cylinder having an arm intake connected to the reservoir and a discharge conduit therefrom having a movable jet head above the tray and arranged to discharge'liquid toward the tray, a servomotor operatively connected with the discharge conduit and said jet a helical spring having a long arm and a short head, a by-pass conduit between the discharge 40 6, A jet head operating device for bath apparatus oi the character described, comprising a chamber device, a piston reciprocable therein, a

rock shaft mounted thereon having a crank element, a slotted member connected to the piston and reciprocable thereby transversely of the shaft and having said crank engaged therein for oscillation' by reciprocation of the slotted member, said shaft having a jet head mounting thereon projected from the direction of the axis of the shaft,

a water supply duct connected with the head and having respective branch duct communication with opposite ends of the piston, valve meansoperatively connected with the piston to close said branch ducts alternat ly, and open them alternately, and means to vent the ends of the cyld inder while the respective branch ducts are closed.

'7. The structure of claim 6 including respective drain ducts fromthe ends of the cylinder and respective manually. adjustable bleed valves in said ducts, whereby speed of movement of the to to be exhausted and having a lateral port to piston in respective directions may be regulated. 8. The structure of claim 6 in which, a wiper arm is fixed on said shaft, a, spring-loaded valveoperating member having a wiper block in the path of said arm for movement thereby at and extended through said enlargement and engaged in said recess for movement of the valve by the lever, an opposite arm being extended and movable in the general direction of reciprocation or the piston, means to limit oscillation of the lever,

arm, one connected to the lever and the other to an element of the piston at a point close to thepath of the other on the lever and having movement with the piston beyond the limits of v the lever and arranged so that the onemay pass the other, said spring being under, stress tending to thrust the arms apart.

10. In bath'apparatus including a tray, a support for a reclining body therein, a cabinet to enclose the tray and form a chamber thereover,

including a closure movable for entry and-exit of a patient to and from the tray, and a liquid jet device constructed to project liquid upon a patient uponthe body support; a jet device consisting of a stand pipe mounted independently of the closure, means to force liquid therethrough, a liquid-operated servo-motor mounted on the upper end of the pipe, fluid supply connections from the pipe to the servo-motor, a jethead carried by the pipe and mounted for movement to project liquid jets therefrom with movement longitudinally of the body support, operative connections between the jet head and the servo-motor, and liquid supply connections be-' tween said'pipe and jet head.

11. The structure of claim 10 including an hydraulic air ejector device opratively connected with the stand pipe, an air duct connected there the atmosphere, and meansincluding an air valve servo-motor.-for intermittent closing and opening of the valve. I

1 RALPH E. scmm'rz.

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