984 Transactioxs of the American Institute. 



February 24, 1870. 



Professor S. D. Tillman in the chair ; C. E. Emery, Esq., Secretary. 



Hydrostatic Atomizer. 



Mr. C. Hodge, Hudson, .exhil)itc(.l his atonii^ccr ; lie said : Since 

 fluids were first atomized for local anrestliesia, various more or less 

 perfect methods have been adopted for the purpose. The more com- 

 mon apparatus consists of India rubber bulbs, so arranged that while 

 one acts as a bellows the other is designed bj its elasticity to keep a 

 constant and equable pressui-e. Although excellent in theory, prac- 

 tically it frequently disappoints ; for besides other defects, it requires 

 an assistant, and it is almost impossible for one person to keep up a 

 uniform current for more than one or two moments, on account of 

 the extre'me fatigue to the muscles of the hand in working it. Steam 

 has been used, but of course is not alwa^ys available, and has its obvi- 

 ous disadvantages. The hand air or force pump has been employed, 

 but this also necessitates an assistant, even for the slightest operation. 

 To obviate these and other defects, hydrostatic pressure has been 

 resorted to, and apparently Avith most satisfactory results. 



The apparatus consists of two closed cylindrical vessels, each capa- 

 ble of holding one or more- gallons of water. On the side of each, 

 close to tlie bottom is a short tube with an aperture not exceeding 

 five-eighths of an inch in diameter. At" the top of each is a stop-cock 

 of one-eighth of an inch delivery. These apertures may be varied 

 in size according to the size of the vessels. The stop-cocks being 

 closed, one vessel is filled with water. The two vessels are then con- 

 nected by a flexible tube, the larger aperture of the one with the 

 larger aperture of the other. The atomizer is connected by means of 

 a small flexible tube with the stop-cock of the empty or air vessel. 

 The vessel of water is elevated and both cocks are opened, the water 

 will, of course, displace the air in the lower vessel, and force it 

 through the atomizer. Sufficient pressure is secured by an elevation 

 often feet, and the height of an ordinary room answers very well. 

 When the air has been entirely displaced in the lower vessel, the 

 atomizer is changed to the empty vessel, and the position of the ves- 

 sels are reversed, the fountain is then renewed Avithout the escape of 

 a drop of water. The principle here involved is familiar to all, 



Dr, Richards approved of this method very mucli, and made dia- 

 grams on the black board of Ilichard.son's improvements on the Clark 

 blowpipe for atomizing. 



