MEDICAL HINTS. 
247 
the pipe and into the bladder. The silk-web catheters are so flexible 
that unless force is used they can do no harm; begin with a No. 8 size, 
and if this cannot be passed, try a No. 4. 
After use, wash the catheter as before, dry with a soft handkerchief, 
and dust it with powder. On no account should the catheters be greased 
when they are being put away. Neglect of cleanly precautions in passing- 
catheters may lead to inflammation of the bladder and even more serious 
mischief. 
/Stomach Tube . 
The stomach tube consists of a piece of india rubber tubing about 
three feet long, with a funnel at one end. The method of passing it is 
as follows :—The patient's jaws should be kept apart by a gag such as 
a piece of stick wrapped in lint placed between the back teeth on either 
side. The left forefinger should be passed into the patient's mouth as far 
as possible and the tongue drawn forward; the rubber tube, oiled or 
smeared with vaseline or glycerine, should then be passed by the side of 
the finger and down the throat for about twenty inches, taking care to 
use no great force. The funnel is then raised and slowly filled with 
water; when all the water has run down, the funnel is lowered and the 
liquid in the stomach is drawn out by the syphon action of the tube. 
The process should be repeated till the water returning from the stomach 
is clear. 
If the patient is unconscious the tube should only be passed when he 
is lying with the feet raised above the level of the head, or water may be 
poured into the lungs and endanger the patient's life. 
Enemas . 
Enema Syringe . — This is fitted with short and long tube. To use the 
long tube, slip it over the short one, which will hold it firmly. After use 
hang it up to drain, dry it well, but do not oil it; carry it loose rather 
than coiled up, so as to avoid risk of the rubber kinking at the flexed 
portions of the tube. 
To give an enema, the patient should be placed on his left side, and 
brought close to the edge of the bed, with his knees slightly drawn up 
towards the belly. The pipe or nozzle of the syringe should be well 
