_____________;t ----------- —■-«-----nr' T L 'Yi w- L ' '' HOOD'S RADICAL CURE FOE HERNIA, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF AN ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER, FOR THE ... ncE i ' : ,.- » 6 °t. I A NEW AND RADICAL CUEE FOR HERNIA, WITH THE DESCRIPTION OF AN ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER, FOR THE TREATMENT OF FEMALE DISEASES, BY J. W. HOOD, M. D. -• ■-::nci PHILADELPHIA! ~~---f~7~~ UNITED STATES JOB PRINTING OFFICE, LEDGER BUILDING. 1848. TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION. The undersigned, having received the agency for the sale of the Instruments invented by doctor J. W. Hood, of Kentucky. respectfully informs the physicians throughout the country that he is prepared to receive orders and to supply them on the most favorable terms. THE HERNIAL APPARATUS, Which is constructed upon an entire new principle, has been found, in certain descriptions of hernia, to perform a radical cure of at least seventy per cent., and in all cases to secure the hernia, and to afford a comfort to the patient not hitherto en- joyed from any of the instruments in use. The principle of the invention consists in the peculiar formation of the springs, which are permitted to traverse the pelvic bones, and thereby escape the muscles that are calculated to remove or displace it. The pads or blocks being adapted to the object, conforming t the shape of the inguinal region, the patient, by the ait' straps, is enabled to graduate the pressure, and to feel a r dence that his afflictions are of limited extent. In a treatise on hernia now being prepared by the ' it is said " that every hernia is furnished with a per' vestment or sac, which is pushed before the protru^ through the natural or preternatural opening, to which it forms, in many cases, an obstinate a sac, although thin as the rest of the peritonei7 an increased thickness, and in some cases r greatly condensed, or wasted to an extrerr nal hernia, where no adhesions have ta1 4 pad is intended to rest at the upper boundary of the pubic bone, in an angle corresponding with Poupart's ligament, escaping the blood vessels and spermatic chord, and of a size that would cover half the length of the abdominal canal. This arrange- ment permits the upper portion of the abdominal canal and in- ternal ring to remain free, and to overhang the pad which closes the ring, secures the part from the action of the absorb- ents, and leaves it in the hands of nature, where it is reduced to its normal condition. In this variety about seventy per cent. have been radically cured by this mode of treatment. " In such cases where the peritoneum has formed adhesions to the surrounding parts, the pad should be placed so as to cover the entire abdominal canal, and should be kept in action for at least six months, when in a majority of cases the adhe- sions of the inner surface of the sac would be complete. When such adhesion of the sac to itself is ascertained, the block may be reduced to its original size and covered with a soft substance, for the purpose of sustaining the part and preventing absorption of the adhesions. In this variety the cure has not exceeded fifty per cent., and liable to recurrence by a new portion of peritoneum being forced down by the viscera. " In vetitro inguinal hernia, where the internal and exter- nal rings, from the weight of the abdominal viscera, are brought upon a line, but little can be effected in the way of cure ; yet the patient, from the peculiar construction of the instrument, can be secured from strangulation, and made perfectly com- fortable for life. " In umbilical hernia the pad is made with a double convex surface, which, on the principle of atmospheric pressure, retains its position immovable, thereby preventing the bowel escaping, and allowing the opening to close by a natural process. In this variety about sixty or seventy per cent, are curable. " In crural hernia the form of the pad is a plano-convex sur- face, about one inch in thickness, which is made to rest with its lower portion on Gimbernat's ligament, so as to close the crural ring, avoiding pressure on the blood vessels, &c. In this form of the disease I have had but few cases to treat, and 5 my success has not been more than one in three. All the above estimates are calculated from infancy to old age." THE ABDOMINAL SUPPORTER • Is also, in the treatment of displacements of the uterus, an in- strument of great importance. During the last six months it has been tested in this city and in Paris, by many of the respectable physicians, and as they are aware of its advan- tages, it is now offered without the usual recommendations to the entire profession, in the full confidence that it will per- form all that has been promised by the inventor. In prolapsus, retroversion, antiflexion, retroflexion and dysmenorrhcea, its effect is immediate, and in many cases the patients have been enabled to leave " the horizontal position" and indulge in the exercise that is necessary to the cure. Such, at least, is the re- port from those in use; and as the final cure is dependent upon the aid of other remedies, it is accomplishing much to be re- lieved from the torturing effects of a pessary, and the debilita- ting or relaxing influences of confinement. But, as almost every writer upon the diseases ofthe uterus admits that they are produced by a relaxation of the muscular system, it is fair to infer that an instrument calculated to re- lieve the muscles and ligaments of the pelvis—to perform the duty that nature has assigned to others, and to hold them in a position by which their strength and natural action may be re- stored, but little difficulty will present itself in the cure of the diseases.—The following cut exhibits the form of the instru- ment, and enables the practitioner to judge of its comfort and effect upon the wearer. 6 A. A. represents the front pads which are bent to the shape of the pubic or crossbone, and afterwards conform to the shape of the ilia. E. E. is the plate to- which the elliptical pads are fastened, having an increased fulness to the lower boundary, and, in the pressure, escaping the recti muscle, and giving sup- port to the debilitated or relaxed muscles of the abdomen. F. F. the side straps which are permanently fastened to the back pads, and by studs or buttons on the front, enable the patient to adjust the pressure. S. S. the springs which traverse the hip bones and fasten upon each side of the spinal column. G. G. are the back pads which rest upon the costa of the ilia. Thus, in the adaptation of the instrument, it will be seen that the comfort of the wearer—the entire freedom from the exposure to which the afflicted are subject by the use of a pessary, and the facility with which it can be adjusted, have been estimated and considered by the inventor. In this age of refinement, if not of improvement, these considerations are worthy the atten- tion of the moral practitioner, and to those who are wedded to the use of a pessary—an instrument that dates its origin from some of the tribes of antiquity—has been condemned and used by every age ; and strange to tell, in the 19th century, when im- provement—when delicacy—when science—is the prevailing sentiment, and controlling every branch and department of life —when it is known that its benefits are confined to the liga- ments of the uterus, notwithstanding we are told " they are not diseased"—and, when it is further known that it does produce a disease of the rectum—of the bladder—of the vagina—and not unfrequently, antiflexion, strangury, debility of the lower ex- tremities, which amount to paralysis—it may be asked whether an application from below can be made with comfort to the patient while the viscera and weight of the abdomen are press- ing from above ? To the practitioner whose mind has been directed to the anatomy of the parts, to the pathology of the various diseases, these considerations are plain ; and in extend- ing his mind to the means of relief, there can be no difficulty in understanding the advantages to be gained, when the viscera and weight of the abdomen are kept in their proper boundary. But, without dwelling upon the comparative advantages, 7 which experience will readily determine, it will be sufficient to say that the practical results are decidedly in favor of the fore- going position, nut the inventor, after having tested in his practice the principles that are here set forth, says, "As the constitutional habit and the pathological condition have much to do with the cure, I hope the afflicted will not look upon this agent as a panacea, but consult their family physicians—as a familiar acquaintance with the structure of the human system is necessary to a judicious procedure, and this knowledge can- not be possessed by those who have not made it a special study. During the monthly changes, the three first months of preg- nancy, for two months subsequent to childbearing, and at any time while riding on horseback, dancing, etc., or where accident or constitutional disease may interfere with the general health, it will be found particularly useful; and where delicate females are exposed to reaching or lifting, an instrument of the kind should form a part of their wardrobe, and be occasionally worn as a preventive to the disease." He also says, " For the information of those who are not within the reach of a physician, I have generally given small doses of rhubarb tea and soda, or cream of tartar and jalap, until the bowels are gently opened. At bed-time apply the hip-bath, and in the morning on rising, if the misplacement has been over- come by the recumbent posture, take the instrument, and carry the back pads around the body, over the under dress, and place them at the junction of the sacrum, or hips, with the backbone. Then fasten the back straps to make it secure. The front por- tion of the instrument is then to be adjusted, so as to rest at the upper margin of the pubis, or crossbone. This being done, the patient will judge of the support, and if not sufficient, the side straps will be fastened. Secondly, during the time of wearing the instrument, the vagina should be washed with two or three syringe-fulls of cold water or soap and water at night, and in the morning, if leuccorrhaea prevails, with a similar quantity of green tea of ordinary strength—unless otherwise ordered by the physician in attendance. Thirdly, all females laboring under prolapsus uteri, retroversion, etc., should be in the con- stant habit of sponging with cold water every morning, unless 8 forbidden by constitutional disease, so as to keep up the strength of the muscular system ; and of regulating their bowels through the agency of bran bread, vegetable diet, exercise, etc. In warm weather also, the springs as well as the pads of the in- strument should be frequently lapped or covered to prevent the effects of perspiration." Having thus explained the object and effect of the instru- ments, it remains to say they can be had, Wholesale or Retail, at the following places.—For the convenience of packing the wholesale business will be conducted at J. H. Gemrick's, Sur- gical Instrument Maker, 43 South Eighth Street. The retail business at J. M. Sanderson's, No. 155 South Tenth Street, be- low Locust, where a lady will attend to the fitting, etc. The Price, for single instruments, $8 each. To those who buy to sell again a liberal discount will be made. All letters on the subject, to be addressed to J. M. SANDERSON, Agent, No. 155 South Tenth Street, Philadelphia. The Hernial Apparatus can also be procured as above, or at Dr. Hood's room, No. 16 Franklin House, where he will fit any one calling on him for the purpose, and impart such infor- mation to physicians, who desire to fit their own patients, until his treatise on Hernia, which he intends for the profession, is published. "J$*?^: r -i r » .