THE DISTRESS engendered in most patients undergoing cataract surgery by having any drape, no matter how light in weight, across the nose and mouth has led surgeons to design a number of devices and procedures to obviate this difficulty. I have found that a small stand which extends over the patient's chest solves the problem satisfactorily and, in addition, serves as an instrument stand and simplifies the draping.
The device consists in a small triangular table, made from the aluminum holder for a hospital chart, together with a ⅜-in. (9.5-mm.) metal rod, which is so joined and so bent as to form two legs and a support for the table top, as illustrated in Figure 1. The device can be made in graduated sizes to accommodate small children or exceedingly large adults. However, the dimensions given are satisfactory for the majority of patients.
In use, the flattened feet of the