The Edinburgh Medical and Surgical Journal (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1849. Excerpt: ... Art. XI.--On a Method of making Trusses more Durable by Galvanizing their Springs. By Thomas Stratton, M. D., Edin.; Surgeon, R. N. (In a letter to Sir William Burnett. M.D., K.C.H.) The manner in which a truss becomes worn and broken, so that the wearer has to procure a new one, is generally from the perspiration causing the spring to rust, and after this has gone on for some time, it breaks from a very slight cause. I have often observed the frequency with which seamen-pensioners, R. N., requiring to wear a truss, apply to have a new one given to them; and, on examining the returned and broken one, the fracture in the spring is found at that part where it is most rusted. On account of rusting from this cause, a labouring man requires a new one more frequently than other classes; and in hot climates, they do not last so long as in temperate ones. Some time ago it occurred to me, that to have the steel spring galvanized would prevent it from rusting; and I gave a spring (child's size) to the Galvanized Iron Company (3, Mansion-House Place, London), for them to galvanize. They were not in the habit of galvanizing steel, and I was doubtful whether or not its elasticity would be impaired by the process. Next day, on receiving the spring, 1 found that the elasticity was a little less, but still sufficient for the purpose required; and if, for some cases, more elasticity be desired, it would be easy to have the spring a little thicker. The acid part of the sensible perspiration will exert some corroding action on the galvanized steel, but the amount of this will be very trifling. With regard to the cost of the process, the expense of galvanizing iron is about one-third of the value of the iron. A working man requires a new truss every year, or every two or three years, --we may take two y...