Ivory syringe from Sri Lanka, late 1700s, It is said to have been a gift to the Royal Physicians by King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe.
An ivory enema syringe from Sri Lanka dating from the late 1700s. An enema (vasthi) introduces fluid into the lower bowel via the anus. A single Ayurvedic treatment might involve several enemas using oils mixed with different medicinal herbs – depending on the patient’s condition. Some enemas remain inside the patient and have a direct medicinal effect, others actively remove waste products from the body.
Details
- Category:
- Asian Medicine
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A134280
- Materials:
- ivory
- Measurements:
-
overall: 290 mm 33 mm, .18kg
- type:
- enema syringe
- credit:
- de Silva, W.A.T.