Category Archives: 1880s

Spirometer, Marsh’s, 1889

Spirometer_Marshs_1889

From: Catalogue of Sharp & Smith, Importers, Manufacturers, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in Surgical Instruments, Printed by Blakely Printing Company, 1889, Page 529.

Spirometer_Marshs_1881_Ad

Advertisement from: The Homoeopathic Guide, Published by Munson & Co., 1881.  Fronticepiece.

To use Marsh’s spirometer the subject exhaled into the balloon.  A measuring tape attached to the balloon measured the circumferance and therefore the volume exhaled. A criticism from elsewhere was that the balloons broke frequently and that it required 20 mm Hg of pressure “before any test of the expired breath can be recorded”.

Gasometer, Oxygen storage, 1887

Gasometer_Oxygen_1887

From: Oxygen in Therapeutics.  By Clyde E. Ehinger.  1887, page 65.

“For administering the combined gases after the method of Doctor Wallian, at least three gasometers are necessary; one for storing the pure nitrous oxide, another for pure oxygen, and a third for a modified mixture.

“It is possible to make one or two gasometers server the purpose, but it will not be found economy to do so, as such an arrangement will necessitate much extra work, and be a constant source of annoyance. One of the greatest objections to having but one or two gasometers is that a supply of both gases – unmixed – cannot be kept on hand – an almost fatal defect, as emergencies are constantly arising which require one or the other of the pure gases.

“The gasometers may be made of zinc or galvanized iron; the latter material, on account of its strength and durability, is preferable for the larger sizes. By using large gasometers it will not be necessary to generate so frequently.

“To a physician who has not a competent assistant to whom he can entrust the generation of gases and care of apparatus, the size of the gasometers will be found a most important item, as much of his time will be consumed in preparing chemicals, generating and commingling the gases.

“For an ordinary practice I would not advise gasometers of less than seventy-five gallons capacity, and where but three are made use of, it would be better to have the one which is used for storing the commingled gases with a capacity from 100 to 150 gallons.”

Gasometer, Oxygen Dispensing, 1889

Gasometer_oxygen_1889

From: Essay on medical pneumatology by By Jean Nicolas Demarquay and Samuel S. Wallian, 1889, page 265.  From a chapter on “Aerotherapy” or treatment with oxygen.  The oxygen was created chemically and then stored for use.

“Metal gasometers with a capacity from fifty to 100 gallons are generally adopted for office use when other than small quantities of gas are needed.  Zinc and galvanized iron are both used, the latter preferable because stronger and more durable.  The best forms have self-supporting frames and weights adapted to balance the weight of the bell, or gas holder, as it rises and falls.”