Kinds of lamps for Infra-red Therapy
There are different types of lamps giving infra-red therapy or radiant light and heat. Some have high-wattage bulbs that yield intensely brilliant incandescent light, while others have heating elements that give only a dull red glow. It is claimed by some that the more nearly the heating element approaches, during use, this latter color, the more abundant will be the infra-red rays. In any of the lamps much heat is produced which is convective, since it reaches the body through currents of air or by radiation. Some of them are on pedestals which may be moved to the bedside or wherever desired, and some have merely a hand-grip for holding them while in use. All have reflectors for concentrating the rays where they are needed. Another form of appliance is an oblong reflector in the curved back of which may be one, two, or several bulbs. This is placed over the region of the body to be treated and left there for varying lengths of time, according to the nature of the case. A special heating pad has also been produced which is said to yield a high percentage of infra-red rays. It may produce these rays in some amounts; but, as it becomes itself very hot and is placed practically in contact with the body (with only a white towel or cloth between it and the bared skin), it is certain that it yields conductive heat also. But whether or not a particular appli¬ance produces ap¬preciable amounts of infra-red rays to penetrate the tissues beneath the skin, all these lamps produce convective heat as well as conductive. This combination will be serviceable in a wide variety of cases.