Enamel Enema Cans

Several folks have mentioned their enema cans chipping and eventually rusting. Several years ago I managed to chip the bottom of a new Jones can in 2 places. I used clear two part epoxy as a sealant dabbed on the chips and to this day have had no rust. I guess one might use white epoxy but the clear has worked fine giving the chip a 'natural' look with no deterioration.

Two part epoxies have a variety of colorants you can add to them to create many colors.

I know this from my many trips to West Marine when buying rope, I mean "line" to tie people up.

Test them first on other surfaces before you do it on your enema can.

White aerosol epoxy enamel is a very very close match & sets pretty much glass hard...though one has to apply numerous layers in building up depth ....Galmet industries & Wattyl Paints Killrust brand the favoured products to use - they are absolutely stable as far as any toxicity concerns.

Another excellent applicable restoration product is an INDUSTRIAL GRADE touch up lacquer which is stamped "Cabinet Lacquer" & made by Kleenmaid / Speed Queen (manufactured for the whitegoods industry), which I consider to be superior ..... short of a full porcelain stripping by sandblasting.

Over the years I've tested many applications short of red garnet grit media sandblasting & having them kiln furnace fired ... using the correct re-surfacing product of “glass” porcelain enamel... as per quality costume jewellery.

Powder coating the article is yet another method by the use of an elocrostatic gun. Which should be applied immediately following the sandblasting then oven (gas) baked @ 400 degrees F for 20 minutes...allowed to cool to room temperature before moving . . . handling item I would NOT recommend for at least 24hours thereafter . . At that point leave for a period of 7 days so as to achieve maximum coating hardness . . . With care it should last a lifetime.

Another thread worthy of re-visiting . . considering 7 years has elapsed without further discussion

To answer the OP's question (who's no longer here) I'd say the origins of porcelain enamelware irrigators began in Europe

🦘

To answer the OP's question (who's no longer here) I'd say the origins of porcelain enamelware irrigators began in Europe

Can't say much to their origin, but they are easy to find at flea markets here in Belgium, France, Spain and, I surmise in other countries. So they must have been very popular.

I can absolutely understand the desire to collect or use enema equipment from the past, especially from his childhood. I, too, am always on the lookout. I cannot answer why this is so; Nostalgia? I can't answer that.

Some beautiful painted enamel irrigators that I found on the internet grace my collection. We don't use them, they rather adorn the kitchen where the wooden spoons are deposited. Others, on the other hand, hang as flower pots in the bathroom and in the guest toilet.

In France I found some nice 2 liter porcelain irrigators, some beautifully painted. These are still in service today. It is a sublime feeling to receive enemas from it.

For example, if you search for " lavement " on ebay France from time to time, you will sometimes find things like this. Enamel irrigators are often offered there.

In one of my picture galleries you can find some of the porcelain irrigators.

…some porcelain irrigators...

https://de.zity.biz/gallery/image/231124

Those irrigators are far more decorative than the one I recently purchased. As for finding the basic enema can at flea markets in the U.S. it isn't that difficult, but my advice is to be somewhat selective regarding quality and don't pay too much. My most recent purchase was a Vollrath can in near perfect condition. It's label was fully intact and I only paid $22. For the more decorative French versions I would have expected to pay much more.

Porcelain enamel cookware & homewares first appeared in Germany in the 1760's mostly as a coating on cast iron goods

The process of Porcelain enamelling tinware & lighter gauge metals was first trademarked by a British doctor in 1799

So one can deduce from this that porcelain enamel irrigators would've first appeared sometime after 1799 . . There's currently no historical evidence confirming an accurate date when the coated irrigator first became available

Delicate French porcelain (fired white clay) irrigators pre-date the porcelain glass coated metalware.

See also @ronema 's links provided (post #57) of these medicinal products

A few years ago I was in a local junk shop, in the window was a jones can ,an older woman was at the counter and we haggled a little over the price, I paid, then she said….what are you going to do with it ? ……why why oh why didn't i tell her exactly what it was for, she may have known exactly what it was for, could have led to some fun !!

A few years ago I was in a local junk shop, in the window was a jones can ,an older woman was at the counter and we haggled a little over the price, I paid, then she said….what are you going to do with it ? ……why why oh why didn't i tell her exactly what it was for, she may have known exactly what it was for, could have led to some fun !!

If anyone ever asks me why I am buying things like that, I usually answer that I use them for decoration. But generally, sellers don't care and are just happy to make a sale and get their money.

Don’t know their origin. The wife and I are into vintage enamel washbasins/pans etc. We collect the really cools ones without or minimal chipping. It’s fun looking in antique stores while on road trips looking for them. On one such trip we scored an enamel irrigator kit. Had a Defense Dept emblem on it kinda faded on the side of the box. Never opened. Inside was a pristine irrigator can, a heavy, quality stainless steel clamp, two enema tips, one douche nozzle and two glass irrigator pieces to insert into your nose to flush your sinuses. All sealed and brand new. Surprised there was no hose. It’s one of our prized possessions. We proudly display it in our master bathroom on top of our medicine cabinet. My wife sometimes puts artificial flowers in it. Looks great.

Several years ago when I bought my first enema can it was a drizzly gloomy day and there were not many people at that particular flea market. I picked up the can, looked it over and asked the vendor “How much?” It was in decent shape and he said $10 but then asked what it was for. I told him that I planned to put flowers in it and would pay him $7. His response was that he'd accept my price because it was better than packing up that one more item. You've heard how I do keep flowers in the can, but have grown to really enjoy my enemas from it. All of this is a way to say that most people don't know what these are, but those of here sure do!

Back about 1969 we were living near Alexandria VA, South of Wishy-Washy DC. There was a place called Thieves Market. We found a nice Porcelain, Belly shaped, Made in Italy, Wall mounted enema fountain. But was years before we understood what it really was. Like so many, she liked to fix it up with floral arrangements.

We also learned that in Italy, these are shattered on New Year's eve to bring in a new year 😃 )!(

We also learned that in Italy, these are shattered on New Year's eve to bring in a new year 😃 )!(

People in Spain burn old old things on the summer solstice. Sort of a similar custom and a reason why Spain is not great for flea markets or brocante shops … ha ha

I wonder why the outlet tube is so far up the side on these generally.

There are a few of the irrigators with the outlet tube on the bottom, but the vast majority are on the side, because the side outlet ones can be placed flat on a shelf or table for use or storage. The bottom outlet ones must always be hung up.

There s nothing special about the white enamel. It was a cheap, rugged, way to rust proof iron. Before enameled steel (and plastic) there was tin plated copper, glass, ceramic, and such.

Here lead was mentioned as a component of enamel.

Enamel around a melt mixture. Glass-forming oxides are silicon dioxide (SiO2), boron trioxide (B2O3), sodium oxide (Na2O), potassium oxide (K2O) and aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The oxides of titanium, zirconium and molybdenum serve as opacifiers. Enamel also contains cobalt or nickel oxide so that it adheres firmly to a metallic substrate. The most commonly used ceramic pigments are iron oxide pigments, chromium oxides and spinels.

Enamel products also score points when it comes to health. Since the composite material consists of natural materials, no harmful substances are released. Thanks to this aspect in combination with the numerous areas of application and the sustainable potential, enamel is convincing all along the line.

The only danger that enamel can pose is that any chippings can get into the body. Nothing stands in the way of an enema from an undamaged enamel irrigator.

There are a few of the irrigators with the outlet tube on the bottom, but the vast majority are on the side, because the side outlet ones can be placed flat on a shelf or table for use or storage. The bottom outlet ones must always be hung up.

The ones on the side from US manufacturers seem to have the outlet an inch or so up from the bottom. I know that some clearance is needed, but seems that that would leave a cup or so (1/8 of the capacity) in the can unless it is held up at an angle. Seems an odd design choice.

Here lead was mentioned as a component of enamel.

Some works from the early 1900s on enamel mention lead as an ingredient in enamel that is mostly unnecessary except for certain color combinations as well as bringing up the health risks (though as enamels are fritted the risk would not be great for all but the manufacturer). Lead enamels are mentioned as being unstable, and for white there is no benefit to adding lead.

Fond memories of being given Ivory soapsuds enemas from my parents Jones enema can. I “inherited” it and my buddy uses it on me at times instead of our open top red bag.

Generally, the giver tilts the can at the end of the enema to get the last of the solution in.

With all the elements of concern about the functionality of old Jones cans, stop and buy a combination enema system from Walmart or CVS. Open it up and give it your simple sniff test. Oh-S---t! Wash it out with soap and boiling water!

Use your new happy appliance. Flush your colon good. That was so nice, get another butt full for fun and training experience.

Sniff down its neck again,,,, “Oh,, S---t!”

Growing up the older couple next door had a Jones can hanging in their bathroom. I would check it out anytime I was there. It was white with a red hose shiny chrome shut off clamp and a black bat shaped enema nozzle. I wish I could have talked them into giving me an enema with that can…

Generally, the giver tilts the can at the end of the enema to get the last of the solution in.

Think I'll have luck with “Oh, honey, BTW I have some equipment that I just can't use properly on my own… could you…???”

With all the elements of concern about the functionality of old Jones cans

There really aren't many. The lead concern is IMO overrated, and a cup or so of solution left in the can is a minor inconvenience (or a reason to try and get a partner to play… maybe… if I'm lucky…). The can gives a surprisingly different feeling because you have no idea how much is left until it sucks dry (or you get up and look, or you have a partner who will tell you). I do use a bag more often than the can, but the cans are fun.

This is an interesting discussion. Being an engineer who has designed industrial tanks I did a Google search and found a picture of the inside of a Jones can. To me it looks like the outlet is marginally higher than the bottom of the can and that any enema left would be maybe half a cup or 4 oz assuming that the can is resting on a perfectly flat surface or hung perfectly vertical. If you made a two quart enema that is only 6.25% of the total volume. I assure you that taking 93.75% of your enema will definitely clean you out. But if you want that someone special in your life to hold the can tilting it slightly to drain those last few ounces who knows what other fun activities might follow.

This is an interesting discussion. Being an engineer who has designed industrial tanks I did a Google search and found a picture of the inside of a Jones can. To me it looks like the outlet is marginally higher than the bottom of the can and that any enema left would be maybe half a cup or 4 oz assuming that the can is resting on a perfectly flat surface or hung perfectly vertical. If you made a two quart enema that is only 6.25% of the total volume.

I measured residual and it is a bit over a cup and a quarter in my Jones.

There is no real way to make a side exit container that will sit flat on a surface without some residual solution in the tank, unless the container has some kind of a rise which adds complexity and expense.

That said, there is really no need to inject every drop. Cans usually hold 1500 to 2000ml and even 1300ml is more than enough to make the most constipated recipient poo. And, as I've said, it's easy enough to just tip the can to get the last bit in, if you're a fanatic about ‘taking all your enema’.

I saw one in a flea market lately. I guess it was made out of metal and was enameled. It had a "side exit", so I think the bottom was flat and it was possible to set it flat on a surface. Also, one of the sides was flat, and there was a hole at the top of that side, so that it could be hung from a hook or nail on a wall. It had inner graduations in liters; I think it held two.

It came without piping. I wonder how old the device was.

In case you wonder: I did not purchase it.

I saw one in a flea market lately. I guess it was made out of metal and was enameled. It had a "side exit", so I think the bottom was flat and it was possible to set it flat on a surface. Also, one of the sides was flat, and there was a hole at the top of that side, so that it could be hung from a hook or nail on a wall. It had inner graduations in liters;

@Pecan_nutjob

In France you can always find various enamel irrigators at flea markets. Unfortunately, most of them are in poor condition and are only suitable for decorative purposes.

If I get the chance, I look for porcelain irrigators. Unfortunately they are very rare.

I have a couple, best to hang them. If full can sit on table but if empty need to tilt them. Some enamel worn off. If it could talk, how many enemas has it given

@Aquarius Do you know if they were used for douching or enemas? Until 1967, I reckon that the sales of contraceptives (except, I think, condoms and these may have been not so easy to get) was prohibited in France so it may be possible women used douching as a form of contraception.