Enema

A bone enema fragment, originally consisting of four basic parts. A nozzle connected to a small barrel which was connected to a larger barrel containing the liquid. A plunger would have been attached to the end but none have survived. Generally considered to have been used to deliver an enema. These types of syringes were common around 1800. There were a number of bone enema fragments found which predate the gravelling of the airing yard in 1810. Enemas were commonly used by the French priosners. Molière, in several of his plays, introduces characters of inompetent physicians and apothecarie fond of prescribing this remedy, also discussed by Argan, the hypochonriac patient of Le Malade ImaginaireI. More generally, enemas were a theme in the burlesque comedies of that time.