THIS IS A MOST UNUSUAL AND RARE ANTIQUE (c late 1800s / early 1900s) ITEM OF FRENCH GYNECOLOGICAL / MEDICAL COLLECTIBLE – A’VERITABLE IRRIGATEUR SYSTEME’ HAND OPERATED PRESSURE SYSTEM, VAGINAL PUMP / IRIGATOR. THESE MACHINES WERE PATENTED IN 1842, BY THE INVENTOR, Dr MAURICE EGUISIER. THEY WERE STILL BEING PRODUCED UNTIL THE 1920s. THE BRONZE COATED IRON MACHINE WHICH MEASURES 23cm HIGH X 8.7cm DIAMETER. STANDS ON A PEDESTAL SHAPED BASE. AT THE TOP OF THE ROUND PROFILE BODY, IS A SCREW OFF TOP SECTION, WITH A HINGED HOPPER. NEXT TO THIS IS A COILED SPRING WITHIN A DRUM. THE SPRING PUTS PRESSURE ONTO A GNARLED GEAR WHEEL, WHICH LOCKS ONTO A RATCHETED SHAFT WHICH HAS A PERFORATED PLATE AT THE BOTTOM, WITH A RUBBER SEALING GASKET. ON THE FRONT OF THE BODY, IS A TAP AND NOZZLE FOR ATTACHING A RUBBER IRRIGATION TUBE. THE FRONT OF THE MACHINE HAS A PLATE WHICH READS:’VERITABLE IRRIGATEUR SYSTEME’ P. DE DOCTEUR EGUISIER’ THE INSIDE OF THE HINGED LID IS MARKED: INSTRUCTION (1) FERMEZ LE ROBINET (close the tap) (2) VERSES LE LIQUIDE (pour the liquid) (3) TOURNEZ LE CLEF A DROITE (turn the key to the right) (4) OUVRES LE ROBINET (open the tap).. THE MACHINE WAS DESIGNED SO THAT THE FLUIDS LEAVING THE VAGINA, WOULD BE CONTAINED WITHIN THE RUBBER TUBE, THEREBY KEEPING BOTH THE PATIENT AND THE GYNECOLOGIST DRY!!!! I HAVE READ DURING MY RESEARCH – THOUGH IT SOUNDS A BIT FAR FETCHED, AND I HAVE YET TO FIND ONE, THAT SOME OF THE MORE SOPHISTICATED DEVICES CONTAINED A MUSICAL BOX IN THE BASE, WHICH WOULD PLAY EITHER THE’THE BOCCACCIO WALTZ’ OR’THE LITTLE DUCK’ AS SOON AS THE TAP WAS OPENED – HOW CALMING THAT MUST HAVE BEEN!!! THIS RARE ITEM WOULD MAKE A NICE ADDITION TO ANY MEDICAL / GYNECOLOGICAL MEMORABILIA COLLECTION.
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