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HISTORY OF DENTAL SUEGERY 241

the head of tlie jjatient may be brought to its proper elevation. This may be
done by extra cushions ; but * * * j|- jg jj^m^ji better to have tlie seat
of tlie chair capable of being raised by springs placed underneath it.
Spiral springs may be so placed as to add very much to the comfort of the
seat, and raise the patient at once to a proper height. This is accomplished
by the cushion seat working in a rack in the posts of the chair, and being
raised or depressed by a small lever under the chair. It is only for the
operator, when he would wish the patient to sit lower, to press down the lever,
and the little snaps in the rack will retain at the desired point of dejiression.
If, on the contrary, the patient requires elevating, the operator has only to
take out the bolts which retain the seat in its depressed situation, and the
])0wer of the springs will cause it to rise. It will not be necessary for the
patient to quit the chair, except in the case of a very heavy person. * * *
A foot-stool or foot-board is provided, capable of being raised or
depressed to any requisite degree of height, while the upper part, upon which
rests the feet, is at all times upon the level. This stool is composed of three
pieces of mahogany, * * * ^j^g lower piece being shaped like an ex-
tremely shallow box, and capable of partially retaining the two upper pieces,
which lie flat on each other : between each of the pieces is placed a double brass
rack, acting in opposite directions. That lietween the upper and middle board
enables the upper one to be elevated ; but as this can only be effected at an
angle, the front part being higher than the back, a similar rack must be
placed between the middle and lower parts, which acts in the opposite direc-
tion, by allowing the posterior part to be raised. By this arrangement, the
upper surface will, if required, always present a perfect plane, at whatever
elevation it may be placed ; or * * * it may be depressed or raised at
either end. * * * To give greater firmness to the feet, the upper surface
of the foot-stool, at its anterior part, is provided with a triangular piece of
wood, upon which the soles of the feet rest agreeably. The upper surface
should be covered with soft carpeting. Although this footstool may from the
description appear to be complicated, when viewed it will be found extremely
simple, the alterations in its position being performed merely by raising or
depressing the anterior parts of the upper board. Depressing will raise the
back part, as the contrary operation will the front. The stool should be
placed on rollers, and should run in two rods attached to the floor, that it
may be pushed under the chair when not required."
The British Journal of Dental Science for August, 1859, describes this
:"
"New Form of Dental Operating Chair