Reports and Analytical Records

932

New Inventions.ABDOMINAL CRUSHING CLAMPS.

Iw order to obtain the power required for theabdominal crushing clamp, and especially for thatintroduced by Mr. Ernest Miles, it occurred to methat the use of an eccentrically pivoted disc mightprove convenient. The illustration explains thearrangement used. The handles of the forceps haveslots cut in the terminal portion for the attachment ofthe pressure device. Across one of these a strong pinpasses ; the other slot is open, but to the outer sideof the handle at this point friction rollers are attached,one pair at each side. The pressure device consistsof a flat bar, slotted near one end to receive the pin inthe forceps handle, while at the other end it carriesthe pivot of the eccentrically mounted disc, which isitself slotted to receive the bar and is provided witha handle for the application of power. In use theforceps are applied in the usual way, and after com-pression by the hand the slotted end of the flat bar

is fixed on to the pin in the forceps handle and theeccentric disc pushed on to the friction rollers withthe handle of the disc pointing away from the bladesof the forceps (position of minimum pressure) whereit automatically fixes itself. Full compression is then obtained by forcing the lever forwards-i.e.,toward the blades of the forceps.The instrument has been made according to rny

suggestions bv Messrs. Allen and Hanburvs. Ltd.

LAURENCE C. PANTING, M.D. Oxf., F.R.C.S. Eng.

(1) A TONSIL COMPRESSOR; (2) A SEPTUMNEEDLE.

THE tonsil compressor (Fig. 1) is a light clampconstructed on the principle of the cross-action spring.It is self retaining, and no ratchet is required. Theinstrument is intended for use during the operation oftonsillectomy, and not for the arrest of severe haemor- rhage after operation. It is not cumbered with any

FIG. 1.clip for theattachment of aswab. Afterremoval of a

tonsil a smallswab is placedin the tonsillarfossa by meansof a long dissec-tion forceps, andthe clamp thenapplied abovethis. As theproximal part is

at right angles, approximately, Lo Lne business end,the clamp can be left in situ while the second tonsil isremoved, and does not interfere in any way with the useof the guillotine or dissection instruments. The secondfossa can then be compressed by another clamp, andadenoids removed without any interference and in afield free from bleeding.A Septum N eedle.-The use of a hollow needle for

intranasal suture, most frequently employed at theend of submucous resection of the septum, is by farthe easiest method in the limited space available ; and,owing to difficulty in Ending a suitable hollow needle

for the purpose, I have devised the needle here illus-trated (Fig 2). The proximal end is smoothly funnel-shaped, and the distal end is bevelled towards theinside of the curve ; the length and depth of the curvehave been adopted after repeated trials to find themost suitable. While retaining a certain degree of

" spring," the needle is firmly mounted in a shorthandle. The calibre is such as to admit horsehair,No. 000 catgut, or ophthalmic silkworm-gut. In use,the needle is threaded up to the point, and, after theneedle has been passed through the edges to be sutured.the suture is pushed on until it can be grasped by aforceps ; the needle is then withdrawn, and the sutureis left in place ready for tying. Not only can theedges of the incision be readily sutured in this way,but small tears in the septal flaps, even far back in thenose, can be repaired, the knot being slipped back byholding one end of the suture in a Tilley’s forceps.Both instruments arè made in stainless steel by

Messrs. Down Bros., St. Thomas’s-street, S.E. 1.

H. Ross SOUPER, M.D. Aberd.

Reports and Analytical Records.

I FRIEDRICHSHALL NATURAL MINERALWATER.

PROPRIETORS: C. OPPEL AND Co., FRIEDRICHSHALL, SAXE-MEININGEN, GERMANY.

AQENTS FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND : INGRAM ANDROYLE, LTD., 45, BELVEDERE-ROAD, LONDON, S.E.1.

THIS well-known water can be used as an ordinaryaperient, for congestion and fatty degeneration ofvarious organs, as a preventive against uric acid,gravel and stone in the bladder, and in the treatmentof gout. The water is bright in appearance, odourless,and has a pronounced bitter saline flavour. Whenanalysed the following results were obtained:-

Parts per100,000.

Total solids afterignition .. 2700

Sodium (Na) .. 572-6 iMagnesium (Mg) 251-8Calcium (Ca) .. 16-0Silica (SiO2) .. 4.0

Parts per100,000.

Iron (Fe2O3) 8.0Alumina (Al2O3) Chlorine (CI) .. 958.5

i Sulphates (SO) 920-0

2730-9

Specific gravity-1023.0It is customary in setting out the analysis of a waterto show the acids and bases combined as salts so asto indicate the manner in which they exist in solution;Among other possible combinations this water mayhave the following composition :-

Parts per 100,000.

Soldium chloride .. 1023 Sodium sulphate .. 523 Magnesium chloride 436Magnesium sulphate 70SSilica .... 4

Parts per100,000.

Oxides of iron andalumina.... 8

Calcium carbonate.. 23Calcium chloride .. 2a

274.5

The water was free from organic impurities.

VICTORIA HOSPITAL FOR SICK CHILDREN.—Mrs.Alexander Campbell has opened an artificial light depart-ment at this hospital in Tite-street, Chelsea. The casessuffering from tuberculous glands are doing well, and Dr.Murray Levick stated that the results obtained justifiedthe conclusion that children living in their own homesand attending the hospital for a prolonged course of treat-ment three times a week progressed as well as those who.were sent to Alpine institutions.