Mr Higginson and his wonderful syringe
As I have mentioned before, the syringe most commonly found when I was young was the Higginson Syringe, and sadly, it seems to have largely disappeared today. I think it is without question the best type of syringe available, and for ease of use, portability, reliability I has no rival. I would regard it as the ideal.
Firstly, it is easy to administer, and you do not need a hook to hang it on if self administering, or someone to hold a bag or can if no hook is available. There is no need to mix up the soap solution and then decant it into a bag or can. You mix one solution in a bowl or a basin, pop the end valve in it, and squeeze away.
I have never understood why people used a bulb syringe – other than that the device is somewhat cheaper to manufacture, but it seems to me that having to repeatedly remove the nozzle to refill the bulb is distressing for the patient, as well as causing irritation. It is also hard not to inject air if you empty the syringe. Mr. Higginsons syringe suffers from none of these problems. If being used on a child, you can simply give one or two squeezes on the bulb – or, as many as you want.
The actual injection can be given with varied pressure, depending on how hard the bulb is squeezed, but it can never do damage. The speed of the enema can be varied, slowing down when there is some discomfort. My mum used to give the enema slowly, only compressing the bulb in half strokes as it were, so there was very little discomfort. She would ensure that the person receiving the enema timed their breathing so that they breathed in when the bulb was being squeezed.
When it came to travel, the enema took up very little space, and could fit very happily into a small zip or oilskin bag. Nothing else was needed, other than a small tub of Vaseline. A bowl or a jug and soap were easy to find almost anywhere.
Finally, it just looks like a proper enema syringe – but I am sure that whatever syringe you first were introduced to, has that connection in your mind. Back home, the enema could be stored easily in a bathroom or linen cupboard, and did not need to hang behind a door.
When I was young, the Higginson was very commonly found – alternatively, you would often see white metal enameled enema cans – which like bags, have many drawbacks, and are not nearly as convenient as the Higginson.
We lived in what were then the ‘colonies’, where my father was in crown service. Most families going out took good medical kit with them, and the Higginson enema was to be found in many homes, although people were much more reticent than the Americans seem to have been, and enemas were never really spoken of in company – or at least, not in front of the children! Perhaps, not as open and healthy an approach as in the USA. Once one was hospitalized, it was somewhat of a different matter, and having an enema became more routine – particularly if there was no bowel movement for three days.
Nowadays, Mr Higginson’s syringe seems to have all but disappeared, which is a great pity. The old firms such as Ingrams and Boots no longer manufacture or sell them, and they are hard to find. I did see enemas of this type manufactured in Czechoslovakia - under the brand name of Barum, as well as from Germany, made by Continental, but have never seen any French enemas of this type, which seems a little strange, as the French were generally more prone to be open about the use of the enema than their English counterparts.
Nevertheless, if any readers are looking for a new experience, and a convenient and versatile enema, you could do no better than to acquire a Higginson Syringe.
An enema given with a Higginson and a loving hand is a wonderful experience.
Delia