IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INSTRUMENTS FOR INTRODUCING MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES INTO THE URETHRA
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF INSTRUMENTS FOR INTRODUCING
MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES INTO THE URETHRA." A communication from abroad
by John Campbell Allan and Clarence Danforth Simpson, both of Buffalo,
New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 29th March 1878, and dated the 15th October 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the.
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 15th October 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
INSTRUMENTS FOR INTRODUCING MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES INTO THE URETHRA."
[A communication from abroad by John Campbell Allan and Clarence Danforth
Simpson, both of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.]
This Invention consists more particularly in an improved compound or mixture
for the manufacture of instruments herein-after termed bougies, and in a coating for
the same.
In carrying the said Invention into practice, I take of cocoa-butter one pound;
glycerate of starch and gum arabic or tragacanth of each sufficient to give the
desired consistency, pliability, and fusibility, and roll or divide into bougies of the
required size.
For coating these bougies after they are in proper form, I take of gelatine, fish
glue, or ordinary glue, one pound; of water, ten pounds, or of about these propor-
tions; I dissolve the gelatine or glue by heat in the water, and then dip the bougies
into the warm solution and suspend them until dry or firm.
It will be understood that this compound is not of itself a medicament. It serves
the purposes for the application of any remedies which may be incorporated in it
and for dilating the urethra in stricture or gonorrhoea.

page_text: Though I have specified some proportions, these need not be exactly adhered to,
since they must vary with the climate and other circumstances. That which may
be suited to a cold climate would be unsuited to a hot one, and the reverse.
These bougies are flexible, and are to be applied by introduction into the urethra,
where, by the combined action of the heat of the body and the secretions, they are
dissolved, and thereby the medicament contained therein is imparted to the urethra.
Their action is mechanical in its nature. They serve to distend the passage and carry
and gradually apply, as they melt, whatever medicines they contain.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 15th April
1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF
INSTRUMENTS FOR INTRODUCING MEDICINAL SUBSTANCES INTO THE URETHRA."
A communication from abroad by John Campbell Allan and Clarence Danforth
Simpson, both of Buffalo, New York, United States of America.
This Invention consists more particularly in an improved compound or mixture
for the manufacture of instruments herein-after termed bougies, and in a coating for
the same.
In carrying the said Invention into practice, I take of cocoa-butter, one pound;
and of glycerate of starch and gum arabic or tragacanth in sufficient quantity to
give the desired consistency, pliability, and fusibility to the compound, and roll or
divide the same into bougies of the required size.
For coating these bougies after they are in proper form, I take of gelatine, fish glue
or ordinary glue, one pound; of water, ten pounds, or use about these proportions;
I dissolve the gelatine or glue by heat in the water, and then dip the bougies into
the warm solution, and suspend them until dry or firm.
It will be understood that this compound is not of itself a medicament. It serves
for the application of any remedies which may be incorporated in it, and for dilating
the urethra in stricture or gonorrhoea.
Though we have specified some proportions, these need not be exactly adhered to,
since they must vary with the climate and other circumstances. Those which may
be suited to a cold climate would be unsuited to a hot one, and the reverse.
These bougies are flexible, and are to be applied by introduction into the urethra,
where, by the combined action of the heat of the body and the secretions, they are
dissolved, and thereby the medicament contained therein is imparted to the urethra.
Their action is mechanical in its nature. They serve to distend the passage and
carry and gradually apply, as they melt, whatever medicines they contain.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,—
First. The compound for the manufacture of flexible urethral bougies, consisting

page_text: of gum arabic or tragacanth, glycerate of starch, and cocoa-butter, in or about in the
proportions specified.
Second. The employment of glycerate of starch as an ingredient of flexible
urethral bougies.
Third. A flexible urethral bougie, medicated or not medicated, fusible at the
temperature of the body, and coated with glue or gelatine, medicated or not medi-
cated, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
TTT
W. ROBT. LAKE.
(LL.B.)