Show I Type New Mattress Massages Pressure Areas of Bedridden AKRON OHIO A A mattress that gently massages the pressure areas of the body of a bedridden patient and thus reduces the danger of bedsores has has been announced as a. the Joint development of the Firestone Firestone Firestone Fire Fire- stone plastic company and the H. H J. J Rand foundation Cleveland The mattress constructed of Velon Vel Vel- on a Firestone plastic film consists con lists of a series of air cells cell one and quarter one-quarter inches in diameter running running running run run- ning Its width transversely Alternate Alternate Alternate Alter Alter- nate cells are connected to a manIfold manifold manifold man man- which forms the edge of the mattress The two systems of interspersed interspersed interspersed in in- cells are alternately deflated deflated de de- de- de and Inflated at short Intervals Intervals intervals inter Inter- vals by a small electrically driven pump This action produces a massaging massaging massaging mas mas- effect on the patients patient's body Bedsores which result from the death of tissues tissues' due to Inadequate nutrition from Impaired circulation have long been a worry to clans In the past the only possible relief came from the manual turning turnIng turning turn- turn Ing of the patients so as to relieve body pressure points on the mat tress With the shortage of nurses in many cases preventing proper attention to this detail a mechanical cal solution to the problem which is plaguing hospitals all over oyer thena the na nation ion was sought Clinical tests have been made with the mattress since July 1947 with very satisfactory results Numerous Numerous Nu Nu- Nu patients whose condition predisposed them to bedsores have been placed on the mattress Some were suffering from paraplegia others had traumatic spinal lesions others were recovering from frac frac- tures Some could not be turned manually because of the traction employed employ d in the treatment of their fractures In the group placed on the alternating alternating alternating alter alter- pressure mattress no additional additional addi addi- precautions were taken to prevent bedsores and none de Many patients with already already al al- ready developed bedsores have been placed on the mattress and their sores have healed well wellIn In addition to serving as an an aidIn aidin aid aidin in the prevention and treatment of bedsores the mattress reduces considerably the amount of n nursing care required in these cases |