Part 9

The undersigned having carefully examined Lewis's Improved Portable Syringe, are satisfied as to its excellence, and believe it to be superior to any instrument of the kind before offered to the attention of the trade.

HENSHAW, EDMANDS & CO., 36 India Street.

REED, CUTLER & CO., 33 India Street.

BROWN & KNAPP, 49 India Street.

BREWERS, STEVENS, & CUSHING, 90 and 92 Washington St.

CHARLES T. CARNEY, 138 Washington Street.

WILSON, FAIRBANK & CO., 43 and 45 Hanover Street.

REED, AUSTIN & CO., 34 India Street.

THAYER, HOVEY & CO., 6 Faneuil Hall Square.

CARTER, COLCORD & PRESTON, 86 Hanover Street.

WEEKS & POTTER, 154 Washington Street.

A. L. CUTLER & CO., 43 India Street.

B. O. & G. C. WILLSON, 18 Central Street.

SMITH & MELVIN, 325 Washington Street.

JOSEPH T. BROWN, Corner Bedford and Washington Streets.

THOMAS RESTIEAUX, 29 Tremont Street.

J. W. PHELPS, 68 Tremont Street.

HENRY D. FOWLE, 71 Prince Street.

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

From the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.

The editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, under date of Dec. 6, 1855, speaking of Lewis's Improved Portable Syringe, says:--

"Portability, durability, neatness, and efficiency are qualities which render any apparatus as nearly perfect as possible, and they are certainly possessed by this. The piston moves admirably, and its action requires hardly any more exertion from the person working it than does that of the elastic bottle attached to certain of these instruments.

"There is a great convenience, it is true, in avoiding the use of the pump, as is effected by Dr. Mattson in his arrangement, and the stream of fluid is thrown (or can be) more continuously; but the lasting nature of the metallic chamber and rod, together with the ease of working the latter, are equivalent excellences.

"This apparatus is adapted to both rectal and vaginal uses, and a small pipe is added for use in the case of children.

"One great advantage claimed by the proprietor, and which commends itself at once to the judgment, is the simple construction, and more than that, the lasting nature of the valves. A ball, accurately fitting, supplies the place of the leather or India rubber valves most commonly employed. It is evident that an important object is here attained; the valves cannot get out of order. If, in taking the syringe apart, the ball should accidentally drop, it tells its story as it falls, and is instantly replaced; no renewal is needed, except there be actual loss, when a common marble, if round, will answer the purpose.

"There are many occasions when it is necessary to use a thick, tenacious fluid for injections; for such purposes, this syringe can have no rival. With delicate flapping valves, these substances would decidedly interfere, and continual change and repair be demanded. With this simple and efficient arrangement, we can hardly conceive it possible for the instrument to get out of working order. In cases where it is imperative to give nourishing enemata, such as gruel, broths, &c., the above conditions are absolutely essential to success, and also to the final integrity of the apparatus.

"As a general thing, the more simple the machinery, the easier its use, and the more universal its application. Complicated arrangements, while they are far more readily disordered, puzzle the unskilful, and sometimes even foil the accustomed hand: their fate is, commonly, to be thrown by in disgust.

"Those who need such aids (and there are few who do not, occasionally, at least,) cannot do better than to supply themselves with this instrument. Every family should possess effectual artificial means of this description, to meet those exigences to which the sluggishness of nature or disordered health may give rise. Were enemata more used in this country, we could safely dispense with much purgative medicine given by the mouth; and when this can be done, we are sure that physicians as well as patients will gladly embrace the opportunity.