Specification of Alexis Victor Mathieu : apparatus for irrigating the intestines, vagina, etc.

  • Mathieu, Alexis Victor.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of Alexis Victor Mathieu : apparatus for irrigating the intestines, vagina, etc. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/14 (page 4)
    Mathieu’s Improved Apparatus for Irrigating the Intestines, Vagina, Qc, to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Sheets of Drawing forming part of this my Specification, and to the figures and letters of reference placed thereon :—• ' The apparatus is enclosed in a metal box provided with a receiver intended 5 to hold the liquid, and the mechanism serving to project this liquid. This mechanism consists of a pump worked by a vertical lever, a projection tube, and a discharge tube; the liquid passes by the first to effect the irrigation, and issues by the second ; these two tubes are each provided with a screw ring, the inner thread of which is intended to fit on the screw thread of the 10 corresponding joint of the various small apparatus, by the aid of which different irrigations are effected. Great Intestinal Irrigation.—Any sort of vase containing the liquid to be 4 injected is placed a little above the apparatus and near the bedside of the patient, the intestinal canula is inserted, and the action is as follows:—The 15 syphon 0 (Figure 5) takes this liquid and conducts it into the reservoir S; (Figures 1 and 2) of the box, where its arrival is regulated by the stop-cock M (Figures 1, 3, and 5). The intestinal canula or clyster pipe being introduced, the pump of the apparatus is set at work by giving to the lever E (Figures 1 to 5) an up-and-down movement, which it communicates to the piston B 20 (Figures 2 and 3) ; the liquid then arrives by the projection tube J (Figures 1, 4, 5,) in the intestine, which it distends ; then the canula retakes it, and the discharge pipe, which is a continuation of this latter, deposits the liquid in a vase placed on the floor at the side of the bed. The irrigation is continuous or intermittent, this depending upon whether the stop-cock 25 which ends the discharge pipe is always open or alternately open and shut; in this manner from 17 to 35 quarts of liquid may be hourly passed into the intestine of the patient, in fact it is internal hydrotherapy. Vaginal Irrigation.—Great vaginal irrigation is effected in the same manner as the preceding, the canula alone being changed. If deemed necessary in 30 intestinal and vaginal irrigation the canulas are held in position by the aid of two elastic bands, the one forming belt, to the back of which the other is attached, and from which it passes between the thighs, where it divides into two to fit better on to the canula, afterwards reuniting and being attached to the front of the belt by suitable buckles. In the various fluxes or discharges 35 of women the medicinal liquid contained in the receiver S of the box is con¬ ducted by the projection pipe into the organs of the female, which hermetically close the canula; this liquid is retaken by this latter and the discharge pipe, the stop-cock of which replaces that M of the syphon brings this liquid back