A historical perspective on specialty beds and other apparatus for treatment of invalids.

The bed environment and support surface have long been recognized as important in the care of the chronically ill. A review of specialty beds from the 19th and early 20th century was done from the collection of medical trade catalogs at the New York Academy of Medicine. It has been said "Past Is Prologue." Whether or not this is true, examination of selected examples of these historical beds can provide an unique and interesting perspective on contemporary practice.