Enamel Enema Cans

Mine came with a rotten red hose and a tiny nozzle, must have been for a child. I'll be in the enema room when there are more there, can show a photo of the can

Do you know if they were used for douching or enemas?

These cans were used for a variety of reason, enemas being perhaps not even the main reason.

There is indeed also douching, but I know that during WWI, there are photos of such enamel cans hanging in hospital wards where they could also be used to irrigated wounds with disinfectant liquids. Or to irrigate surgical incisions after operations. For instance after facial operations with parts of the jaw or face shot away by shrapnel. If you have no mouth or lips left, using rubber tubing to get liquids into a mouth cavity would be useful.

And come to think of it, because of the horrendous number of wounded during the Great War on French soil (upwards of 3 million French soldiers wounded alone), so many establishments like spas, convents, schools etc were converted to treating the wounded, that the number of such enamel cans in demand would also have been enormous.

Perhaps a reason why they are still so easy to find at flea markets.

Just found what looks like a pristine can on Ebay. Priced at $16.00 euro, the shipping is more than I want to spend. Here's the link and translated description.

Antique Vintage Enamelled Sheet Metal Enema Jar with Accessories Height 19cm. Diameter 14cm. I am at your disposal for any further information. Feel free to look at my other auction books newspapers watercolor objects Antique Tableware Clothes Antique Embroidered Linen. Thank you for visiting, see you soon. Located in: Saint Léger des Vignes, France

https://www.ebay.com/itm/394905627643?itmmeta=01HS8ZYFGB4MR2A6BCNPQWFASX&hash=item5bf235abfb:g:UrgAAOSwPrJlFWVa&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwG14DECvzt0vXAO58Lh9mnO0RzPPl3UT%2FexMWQhAdy5ReKJaMbYDEcX%2FB8iiXvyXCnu4gctcVBvZx%2BYs%2BpbtDF%2BuW7P7BmoNzaiUpnE7o775B8vLrKLhz6McGwxgiUc8e0zsWuDAFc13%2BKt6gN%2FO5QA88q95Rx%2F3UN%2FU0eqDqvvOCiPijGijaI29ueGg4Sg4IiVgY5PcOaNqAt4sfMHKMqvBVLOofnmxb0lsagHBQFF8c8FOlGT1xUo6J2rskGEI7g%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR7L4-Z_KYw

LostInThe50s