Rules and directions for the employment of injections in various diseases

DOMESTIC INJECTING APPARATUS.]

DESCRIPTION.

A--_Base of Instrument_, connected by a screw, containing a cavity and valve, through which the fluid is drawn into the Barrel.

B--_Barrel_, containing the Piston or Plunger.

C--_Cap_, connected with the Barrel by a screw.

D--_Piston Rod_, surmounted by a metallic handle, terminating within the Barrel by the Piston or Plunger.

E--_Metallic Chamber_, containing a valve, to which is connected, by a screw, the flexible Tube.

F--_Flexible Tube_, to the end of which are attached, as they may be needed, the different pipes.

G--_Straight Pipe_, for injecting the bowels of adults, to be attached to the flexible Tube, when used with an assistant.

H--_Crooked or Angular Tube_, to be used for self-administration.

I--_Small Pipe_, for injecting the bowels of children.

J--_Female_ or Vaginal Tube.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

For Self-administration.

Attach the crooked or angular tube, H, to the end of the flexible tube, F; place the fluid intended for use in a basin opposite you; introduce the pipe, and sit down upon it, holding the instrument upright in the basin with one hand, and working the piston with the other.

For use with an Assistant.

If the instrument is to be used by an assistant, (as is often the case in sickness by a nurse,) the straight pipe, G, should be used instead of the crooked or angular one.

For Children.

For injecting the bowels of children, use the small pipe, I.

For Female or Vaginal Uses.

Attach the long pipe, J. (See Vaginal Injections.)

The Piston, or Plunger, and the Care of the same.

If the instrument has stood some time without use, or has been kept in a dry or warm place, the leather of which it is composed may have become dry; it should therefore be withdrawn from the barrel and immersed in warm water, (not hot.) It should then, after remaining a short time, be saturated with melted tallow or sweet oil, which will restore the suppleness to the leather and cause it to work easily within the barrel. If the instrument has stood in a very cold place, the leather of course would become chilled. This can be easily set right by merely immersing the barrel of the syringe in a basin of warm water. The interior of the barrel may sometimes become rough by means of matter adhering to it that has been used in the instrument, such as gruel, or other thick injections, and may cause an obstruction to the working of the plunger. The barrel should, therefore, in such cases, be thoroughly washed out with warm soapsuds before returning the plunger to its place. The leather with which this is constructed is prepared in a peculiar manner, expressly for the proprietor, so that it will not dry hard, and can be used for a long time without parting with its oily matter.

N. B.--Extra leathers for the plunger can be obtained of the proprietor, or his agents, and sent to any place by mail. Price 12½ cents.

The Valves.

These consist of small mineral balls, and are operated in an improved chamber or cavity, which allows them to always work well, and are not liable to stick or become wedged, as has been the case with instruments formerly made with this kind of a valve. They are greatly superior to India-rubber valves, which soon, by the action of the fluid, become unfit for use. Should the valves by any means be lost, a common marble, if round, will answer the purpose. ☞ After the instrument has been used for administering any thick injection, it should be thoroughly cleansed by pumping some clear water through it, and all sediment which may remain in the valve chambers, A and E, should be removed, or it may cause an obstruction to the working of the valves.

N. B.--_Be careful not to put the instrument away wet, or it will injure the box._

The Flexible Tube.

The reader will observe that the couplings to which the flexible tube is attached are made with a neck, which is inserted into the orifice of the tube, the compression of which, when on, holds it firmly in its place. ☞ If at any time the flexible tube should be injured so as to be unfit for use, a new one can be forwarded by mail to any place, on application to either of the proprietor's agents, and it can be readily attached without the least trouble by any person. Price of Flexible Tube, 25 cents.

Withdrawal of the Piston.

Persons may sometimes withdraw the piston or plunger from the barrel, and on account of its peculiar construction be unable to return it again. Therefore, please observe that it is composed of two round pieces of leather, which are turned in opposite directions over the metallic plates--_the upper one turning up, the lower one turning down_. With the leathers thus arranged, it is to be introduced sideways into the barrel, and the portion of the lower leather which remains outside of the barrel gradually and carefully pressed in with the thumb nail. ☞ But in so doing be very careful not to cut or injure the leather. N. B.--Silver Plated Syringes, suitable for using nitrate of silver, furnished to order at short notice. (See Nitrate of Silver Injections.)

Peculiarities of the Improved Portable Syringe.

The peculiarity of this instrument, which renders it superior to others heretofore used, consists in the mode of constructing the valves and valve chambers. Many of the celebrated instruments with which the market has been heretofore supplied have been constructed with cylindrical valve chambers, having a flat seat for the valve to rest upon, through which is an orifice for the passage of the fluid. The valve itself consists of a circular piece of India-rubber, the diameter of which is somewhat less than that of the chamber, in order to allow the fluid to flow by it when the valve is raised. There are several serious objections to these valves. The India-rubber in a short time enlarges when in use so as entirely to obstruct the passage of the fluid, especially when a warm injection is used, which quickly softens and moistens the rubber. The valve, too, in such cases, if made so small and light as to avoid this evil, is liable to double or fold up, and is drawn through the orifice in the valve neck into the barrel of the instrument, and thereby entirely stops its working.

In the instrument now offered to the public, these objections are entirely obviated by using for a valve a small mineral ball, which rests upon a concave seat, to which it is nicely adjusted. The ball, being of a material which does not absorb water, never becomes enlarged by use; and it is obvious that it can never be drawn through the orifice into the body of the instrument. It is also a self-adjusting valve, the friction of the ball on its seat having a constant tendency to make them fit together more accurately. The mineral balls are acknowledged to be much more durable than the India-rubber disks; and as an instrument is serviceable only while all its parts are fit for use, it is apparent that the new instrument will last much longer than those which have been constructed in the manner described.

Care and Preservation of the Instrument.

In all cases, after the instrument has been used for injecting any medicinal preparation, gruel, or in fact anything except clear water, care should be taken to thoroughly cleanse it before laying it aside, or it will become foul. This can be easily effected by pumping through it some pure water, which will generally remove all sediment that may be left in the instrument. If an injection containing oil has been used, strong soapsuds will be required to remove the oily matter. If in cleansing the syringe the plunger is withdrawn from the barrel, great care should be taken that the leather is not injured in returning it again. (See Directions for Use.)

As this instrument is composed wholly of the best of Britannia, and not of part lead, like most of the instruments of the kind, it can be easily kept clean and bright as when new, by rubbing it smartly for a moment with a piece of soft flannel or wash-leather. The little trouble occasioned by this process will be amply repaid by the handsome appearance of the apparatus.

Common Injections.

Take of cold or warm water about three quarters of a pint. These are the most simple injections for costiveness, and are generally very effective in their action. Cold water is highly recommended by Dr. Jackson, of Boston, in cases of habitual costiveness, and may be used daily for many years, without injury.

Laxative Injections.