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NEW PATENT.— RECLINING CYLINDER BEDSTEAD. 



To assuage the pangs of physical suffering, and to soothe the weary hours of 

 bodily debility, are among the nobler efforts of humanity ; and to mitigate 

 the trials of the sick chamber, and to lessen the gloom that hangs about the bed 

 of the invalid is, assuredly, to become a benefactor to society. The important 

 and invaluable contrivance, denominated the reclining cylinder bedstead, for 

 which a patent has been recently, obtained and which, on the point of adoption 

 in St. George's Hospital, London, has been minutely inspected and most cordially 

 approved by written testimonials, by the whole of his Majesty's physicians and 

 surgeons, and the most eminent practitioners in the metropolis, is one amidst the 

 many brilliant evidences of that astonishing progress in mechanical science for 

 which the present age is remarkable. The inventor, Mr. James Cherry, of 

 Coventry, has devoted himself with the most unwearied assiduity to the construc- 

 tion and ultimate perfection of his design, and this extraordinary piece of me- 

 chanism, elegant in appearance, and of the utmost simplicity in its arrangements, 

 stands forward as a proof of the singular patience and ingenuity of this gifted 

 individual. For the information of our professional readers, and the satisfaction 

 of the invalid, we subjoin a description of an article which may, truly, be charac- 

 terised as one of " comfort to the sick, of convenience to the nurse, and of refined 

 luxury to the convalescent: — " 



The sacking is attached to two cylinders running lengthwise, one on each side 

 of the bed ; these cylinders contain several springs upon the chronometer prin- 

 ciple, which propel them upon the axles outwards, or right and left from the centre 

 of the bed. The sacking, when the bed is not in use, is always at full stretch; 

 but when it receives the weight of the body, the springs relax, and the bedding is 

 sunk to a concave of twelve inches ; the feathers encompassing the patient and 

 relieving the back from the pressure which is imparted to the sides ; together with 

 the undulating motion of the springs by which the bedding is sustained, impart a 

 sensation of entire comfort and ease. In the opinion of the faculty, this indivi- 

 dual feature presents an effectual preventive of sloughing in the back, that 

 dreadful and often fatal consequence of a long continuance in the recumbent 

 posture. The invalid, however helpless he may be, may be placed in any re- 

 quired position, either for his own comfort, or for surgical operation; for example, 

 the body can be raised to any degree ; the lower limbs placed on a double inclined 

 plane, a point essential in the the reduction of fractures ; the feet elevated to 

 assist in replacing a dislocated knee-pan, &c. &c. 



By this fortunate invention, the torture which many patients experience from 

 being lifted out of bed, and exposed to the atmosphere while the bed is re-mak- 

 ing, or other necessary changes effecting, will be utterly obviated, and the ex- 

 pensive attendance of assistants precluded. One person can, in the space of two 

 minutes, and without trouble or exertion, complete an entire change of bedding — 

 the bed under the patient, bolsters, pillows, &c. all may be swept upon the floor, 

 and replaced by others, and this arrangement is made without inconvenience 

 to the patient, nor is he in this, or any of the other changes, once touched or 

 exposed to sight or cold. 



The bedstead is also convertible into an easy chair, and can be restored to its 

 horizontal without disturbing the patient or deranging the bed clothes ; the bed- 

 rest and pan are brought into use upon a new and most easy principle ; the latter 

 is closed by an air-tight, self-acting valve, and all its operations are conducted 

 without the least noise or jarring from the machinery, which is entirely concealed 

 when the bed is made up. 



In concluding our brief, and we admit imperfect sketch of this inestimable inven- 

 tion, we may add, that " the revolving cylinder bedstead is an elegant structure, in the 

 newest French style, with scroll back and canopy top, that it is not only applicable 

 to cases of sickness, but available for ordinary use, imparting, from its peculiar 

 construction, much greater comfort, with a mere mattress, than is derived from 

 a bed of the softest down when laid upon a bedstead of the general description ; 

 in short, it fully justifies the patronage of the most eminent of the faculty, pos- 

 sessing every conceivable convenience, unimpaired by a single objection." 



