AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR IRRIGATING THE INTESTINES, THE VAGINA, THE BLADDER, THE BRAIN, THE EYES, AND EYELIDS
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexis Victor Mathieu, of No. 15, Passage des
Petites Ecuries, in the City of Paris, in the Empire of France, Medical
Doctor, for the Invention of "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR IRRIGATING
THE INTESTINES, THE VAGINA, THE BLADDER, THE BRAIN, THE EYES, AND
EYELIDS."
Sealed the 22nd January 1867, and dated the 27th July 1866.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexis Victor Mathieu
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 27th July 1866.
I, ALEXIS VICTOR MATHIEU, of No. 15, Passage des Petites Ecuries, in the
City of Paris, in the Empire of France, Medical Doctor, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR IRRIGATING
THE INTESTINES, THE VAGINA, THE BLADDER, THE BRAIN, THE EYES, AND EYELIDS,"
to be as follows:-
The apparatus is enclosed in a metal box provided with a receiver intended
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,

page_text: and issues by the second; these two holes are each provided with a screw
ring, the inner thread of which is intended to fit on the screw thread of the
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
injected is placed a little above the apparatus and near the bedside of the
patient, a syphon takes this liquid and conducts it into the reservoir, where its
arrival is regulated by a stop-cock. The intestinal canula or clyster pipe
being introduced, the pump of the apparatus is set at work by giving the lever
an up-and-down movement, which it communicates to the piston of the
pump; the liquid then arrives by the projection tube in the intestine, which
it distends; then the canula retakes it, and the discharge pipe, which follows
this latter, deposits the liquid in a vase placed on the floor at the side of the
bed. The irrigation is continuous or intermittent according as the stop-
cock which ends the discharge pipe is always open or alternately open and
shut.
Vaginal Irrigation.-Great vaginal irrigation is effected in the same nianner
as the preceding, the canula alone being changed. If deemed necessary in
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 of
women the medicinal liquid contained in the receiver of the box is conducted
by the projection pipe into the organic parts, which hermetically close the
canula; this liquid is retaken by this latter and the discharge pipe, the
stop-cock of which replaces that of the syphon brings this liquid back
into the receiver; it is then a continuous come-and-go movement of the
liquid.
Vesical Irrigation.-The probe being introduced into the bladderis fitted to
the projection and discharge pipes of the apparatus. The irrigation is then
effected as for vaginal irrigation, a large quantity of liquid being also used or
the same liquid as long as may be desired.
Cerebral Irrigation.-The hair being shaved off an india-rubber cap is
pulled over the head down to the eyebrows, an elastic band firmly fixing its
border around the head. The projection and discharge tubes of the cap
furnished with their joints are secured to the screw rings of the corresponding
parts of the apparatus, and the syphon placed in a vase containing cold or even
iced water feeds the apparatus.

page_text: Oculo-palpebral Irrigation.- Here the ordinary tubes of the apparatus are
replaced by two small projection and discharge tubes which are connected
with an ocular basin or cup, designated from its shape the double gondola ;
this gondola is so arranged that it will serve for everybody, however far the
eyes may be apart, inasmuch as it may be lengthened or shortened at will.
Wire gauze fitted to the screw ring of the projection pipe prevents any dirt
getting to the eye. The irrigation may be effected largely or with the same
liquid as long as may be desired.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Alexis Victor Mathieu in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 25th January 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXIS
VICTOR MATHIEU, of No. 15, Passage des Petites Ecuries, in the City of Paris,
in the Empire of France, Medical Doctor, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Alexis Victor Mathieu, Her special licence that I, the said Alexis
Victor Mathieu, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Alexis Victor Mathieu, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"AN IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR IRRIGATING THE INTESTINES, THE VAGINA, THE
BLADDER, THE BRAIN, THE EYES, AND EYELIDS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I,the said Alexis Victor Mathieu,my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my or their hands and seals, should par-
ticularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and im-
mediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexis Victor Mathieu, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is

page_text: to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Sheets of
Drawings 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
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
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
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
syphon O (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 cauula 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
(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 noon whether the stop-cock
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
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
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, whichhermetically
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

page_text: into the receiver S; it is then a continuous come-and-go movement of the
liquid. Half an hour cf irrigation thus effected is quite equal to 50 injections
by the aid of the means in actnal use. Pure or slightly astringent water may
thus be applied daily for purposes of cleanliness.
Vesical Irrigation.-The probe being introduced into the bladder is fitted to
the projection and discharge pipes of the apparatus. The irrigation is then
effected as for vaginal irrigation, a large quantity of liquid being also used or
the same liquid as long as may be desired.
Cerebral Irrigation.-The hair being shaved off an india-rubber cap is
pulled over the head down to the eyebrows, an elastic band firmly fixing its
border around the head. The projection and discharge tubes of the cap
furnished with their joints are secured to the screw rings of the corresponding
parts of the apparatus, and the syphon placed in a vase containing cold or
even iced water feeds the apparatus. With irrigation thus practised the water
arrives directly on the hairy skin, and, further, it is continually in motion,
by entering and leaving, which causes still greater cooling.
Oculo-palpebral Irrigation. (Eye Irrigation).-Here the ordinary tubes
of the apparatus are replaced by two small projection and discharge tubes,
which are connected with an ocular basin or cup designated from its,:hape
the double gondola; this gondola is so arranged that it will serve for every-
body,however far the eyes may be apart, inasmuch as it may be lengthened
or shortened at will. The apparatus should either be new or cleaned with the
greatest care, wire gauze fitted to the screw ring of the projection pipe prevents
any dirt getting to the eye. The irrigation may be effected largely or with the
Bame liquid as long as may be desired.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Sheet 1, Figure 1, elevation of the apparatus. R, cover or lid; S, box
containing the liquid and the mechanism; M, cock for admission of the
liquid; J, projection of liquid; E, lever for working the pump. Figure 2,.
section at A, B. Figure 3, S, receiver containing the liquid, arriving by M
(see Figure 6, which is a section at C, D, Figure 3); U, valve working
beneath the piston; B, piston; D, leather packing; G, spherical valve;
H, air receiver. Figure 3, top plan view with lid removed; M, cock for
entrance of liquid; N, screw-running ring mounted on the inlet pipe T; B,
piston (see Figure 2); A, pump cylinder; E, working lever (see Figures
1 and 2; C, moveable axle of the piston rod; Q, cheeks holding the head
of the lever E (see sections Figures 2 and 5). Figure 1, bottom plan view; A,
bottom of pump cylinder; F, pipe putting the cylinder and the air receiver

page_text: in communication (see section, Figure 2); H, air receiver (see Figures
2 and 5); J, projection pipe (see Figure 5):
Sheet 2, Figure 5, section at C, D, Figure 3. J, liquid escaping from
the receiver H; L, pipe on which is to be mounted the small apparatuses,
by which different irrigations are practised; N, screw-threaded running
joint ring serving for the entrance of the liquid into the apparatus by the
syphon O; D, conduit pipe; P, mouth for water supply, forming base of
pipe T.
Figure 6, ordinary canula or clyster pipe; Figure 6*, section of same.
Figure 7, intestinal irrigation apparatus; A, intestinal canula; B, running
joint ring; D, openings for re-entrance of the injected liquid into the
canula. In the longitudinal section, Figure 7, C indicates the pipe for
projection of the liquid, and E the discharge pipe. Figure 8, section at A, B,
Figure 7.
Vaginal Irrigation.-Figure 9, section of canula; F, vaginal canula made
of caoutchouc; G, metal conduit for entrance and discharge (see Figure 7
for the principle of the inlet and exit). Figure 10, elevation of apparatus,
Figure 9.
Vesical Irrigation.- Figure 11, longitudinal section (probe for female ;
Figure 12, section at A, B, Figure 11; Figure 13, elevation of probe
for female; Figure 14, section of probe for female; Figure 15, section at
C, D, Figure 14; Figure 16, elevation of probe for female.
Oculo-palpebral Irrigation.-Figure 17, elevation of the double gondola
furnished with two joint tubes; Figure 18, plan view of a gondola ; and
Figure 19, section of the double gondola; H, projection pipe opening in I;
J, discharge pipe leading from K.
Cerebral Irrigation.-Figure 20, elevation of the india-rubber cap;
L, pipe by which the liquid arrives; M, discharge pipe; N, elastic band
fixing the cap at O; Figure 21, section of said cap.
The Figures 1, 2, and 3*, (Sheet 1), represent a double gondola
arranged so as to serve successively for oculo-palpebral or eye irrigation of
various persons, whatever distance their eyes may be apart.
Figure 1*, plan view of double gondola; H, gondola or ocular basin; G;
pipe for discharge of the liquid, ending alsoin asliding ring fixing on the jointof
the projection pipe of the box of the apparatus; the interior of this ring is
furnished with a small wire gauze. Figure 2*, metal part uniting the two
gondolas; C, hollow cylinder dividing at X, where it is solid, into two
similar parts J, K, joining on to the two faces of the gondola at O (see
Figure 1*), and permitting the gondola to execute rotary movements from

page_text: the inside, outwards, or vice versa ; D, cylindrical metal rod whi. h may be
pushed in or out of the cylinder C at will, and be fixed in the position required
by the press screw R; S, point at which the rod S divides into a fork. The
branches K join on to the goddola at O (see Figure 1*). Figure 3*,
section at A, B, of a gondola (Figure 1*); F, entrance of the liquid; G, dis-
charge pipe for liquid; M, opening, which may in case there is but one
diseased eye be stopped with a cork in order to intercept the circulation of
the liquid in the gondola which is not required for the irrigation.
In witness whereof, I, thesaid Alexis Victor Mathieu, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
A. V. MATHIEU. (LS.)