J.L. Pulvermacher's patent portable hydro-electric voltaic chain batteries : sold by J. Steinert, (sole agent for the United States,) ... New-York.

  • Pulvermacher, J. L.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: J.L. Pulvermacher's patent portable hydro-electric voltaic chain batteries : sold by J. Steinert, (sole agent for the United States,) ... New-York. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

    10/36 (page 4)
    _4 — The links are hoolied into each other wltli gilt wire, in sucli a manner tliat the zinc end or pole of one lixik is connected with the copper pole of the next link, by the said gilt wire. This forms a complete voltaic pile, the power of which simply depends on the number of links or elements generating the current, which is disengaged at the two extremities as soon as the chain has been moistened (viz.: at the two last links, or elements). One link deflects the magnetic needle of the galvanometer—four elements decompose acidulated water —six links water which is not acidulated ; with 15 links the electric current passes through the- human body, produces sparks before the eyes, and all other physiological phemomena. Of a chain of 50 to 60 links, the shocks are very perceptible ; SO to 120 links produce a power sufiicient for all cases ; but still the number of links or chains may be increased to such a point that the shocks become insupportable. The chains are made of a convenient length, and at each extremity they are provided with a hook (a white one on the zinc pole, and a gilt one at the copper pole). If the eifect of several chains is desired, the poles of contrary names must be brought into contract. AUXILIARY APPARATUS. [A.] Two Aletallic Tubes, rvilk Insulating Hu.ndles (Conductors), (see figure 4,) which are hooked in at the free ends (poles) of the chain, to communie ite the electric current to the body in a more per- fect manner. [B.] Conductors with Brush or- Sponge (see figm-e 3), which are used to introduce the electric current into the mouth, ears, etc, moistening the brush or sponge with water or vinegar, and hooking one end (pole) of the chain to this instrument, while the other end or pole of the chain is applied by one of the tube conductors to any other part of the body, where it is desirable to let out the electric current. [C] Conductors for Electro puncture.—A needle of platina to introduce the current into certain internal parts of the body where direct and local effects are wanted. The. Chain is applied as with the brush conductors, but it is generallj' preferred to introduce the needle first, before the electric current is established. [D.] Conducting Bougie in Caoutchouc (India Rubber), to introduce the electric current into the passage, etc. The bougie is introduced with the metal wire inside ; the metal wire then withdrawn and moistened in water ; it is then introduced again, but not quite'so deep as to go to the end, for fear of passing it through one of the holes and hurt the patient. If one of the pclcs of the Chain is then hooked to the end of the metal wire, the other may be applied to any other part of the body, and the cun-ent is established. [E.] The Interrupting Cylinder (see figure 4) is a small tube with a copper ring at each extremity ; it contains a moveable metallic spiral wire. If it is put between two chains, or between the conductor and one pole of the Chain, the current is alternately interrupted and renewed by every movement of the cylinder, which produces a consecutive but irregular impulse or shock.