Does Anyone Here Still Use Old Fashioned Regular Enema Equipment?

Call me New Fashioned, but I love the newer larger bags, variety of thicker longer nozzles, lubricants etc. etc.

From the mid 50's through the mid 60's the Sears winter catalog generously featured hot water bottles and fountain syringes. Almost universally those bags were 2 quarts. There were a few outliers in larger sizes but I have long forgotten what the largest was. I remember a few years where Combo sets (hot water bottle and tubing with two enema nozzles - infant and adult -, and a douche nozzle) also included an integrated Higginson syringe molded into the tubing. Mom's sister, the family enemaholic, was constantly buying different new sets. However one with the integrated Higginson syringe never appeared at her home. It was disappointing but I knew if I even suggested it, she would buy a set. Then the next time when at her home for a visit I would be the first person stuck on the end of the tube. There was an inside joke in the family, don't ever mention the subject of enemas and douching to Aunt Lois as the person broaching the subject would be the next patient (victim) in her home clinic. She was a believer in, "High, Hot and Helluva a Lot" enemas for adults.

Still loving my Davol amber latex bags. Also have several Davol Paris 2.5 quart bags.

@Victoria1951

The bag with a Higgenson pump in the hose was the Reliance Force-Flo or Control Flo. It came as both a Combination Syringe and a Fountain Syringe

Delia is so right - the currently available Higgensons are much too short for self administration and probably too short for some else to administer with the solution in a safe place. But all is surely not lost. I recently purchased a silicon bag of excellent quality with a really long hose making for very convenient use. And a really well made bulb.

But I do yearn for the Higgenson - the surge of each squeeze of the bulb, the definite stages of the build up to "full" (and beyond!). What I first experienced on a very regular basis from my mother. The next generation seems to have created a demand for great bags and nozzles, so perhaps they will discover more!

Delia is so right - the currently available Higgensons are much too short for self administration and probably too short for some else to administer with the solution in a safe place.

Search Google for the text string "Aixoxo Double Head Enema Squeeze Bulb". That will bring up a link for a Higginson syringe which has tubing that can be removed from the 1 way valves used at each end of the syringe. I prefer being able to remove the tubes and 1 way valves as it is easier to dry the syringe bulb and valves. Recent offerings manufactured in India have the diaphragm valves molded into the bulb making cleaning and sterilization difficult.

You can replace the short red tubing sections of the Aixoxo bulb with something like "Urocare 600831" opaque brilliant white silicon rubber tubing that is sold in a 10 foot length. That allows you to make the Higginson syringe siphon tube and discharge tube pretty much any length you want. It is a soft rubber tubing and easy to clean.

The nice thing about the above is the check valves prevent back flow, thus minimizing the contamination of tubing and Higginson syringe.

Clean up is eased also. The tubing can be submersed in an isopropyl alcohol bath and left for five minutes. Remove it from the basin, drain the excess alcohol and hang each tube from its respective midpoint to air dry. It will be dry in about two hours where as if you rinse with water or peroxide it can take over 24 hours giving fungal growth time to develop. Similarly draw up isopropyl in the Higginson bulb and allow to set for five minutes, then empty the bulb. Remove the one way valves from the ends of the bulb. Shake excess alcohol from the bulb and set aide to dry. Leave the valves in a safe spot to dry.

The next time you assemble the parts for use, be sure to run a couple of liters of plain water through the tubing, Higginson bulb and diaphragm valves on the outside chance residual isopropyl is present or some denaturing component in the isopropyl has left a residue.

What do you mean by that?

Is a 3-qt "Paris" style HWB type syringe? - I use that

Do you mean a flared nozzle? - I use that!

Do you mean e flexible nozzle? - I use that!

Do you mean a 2-qt HWB style bag? - I sometimes use that

Do you mean an open-top bag? - I very occasionally use that!

I think all that is pretty old-fashion. How "Regular" it is is open to interpretation.

I avoid bulbs, if that's your definition of "regular."

Enema equipment for home use varies so much around the world. I wish I picked up the real red rubber set I noticed in Mexico. This was about 10 years ago at a small local pharmacia. Europe has different kits too, often made in Italy. I think what caused the vintage USA gear to flourish was the popularity of quality reusable items along with a perceived health need for enemas.

I am old school and grew up with old rubber bags and black hard rubber nozzles. The enema nozzle had that large end and delightful taper so that it wouldn't slide out with a surprise and the douche nozzle had a definite bend to it that was permanent. I do have my mom's douche nozzle but, I wish I could have preserved more of the stuff my parents, grandparents and aunts and uncles had from the 1940s and 1950s but we just didn't chat about those things then (at least to the adults), and the stuff was surplus when they died.

I still prefer the old fashion rubber enema equipment, however I have new equipment made from both rubber and silicone.

I have a three old fashion rubber closed top douche/enema bags, one 2 1/2 quart and two 2 quart. I have two 2 quart old fashion rubber open top douche/enema bags. With various curved and straight douche nozzles, and various adult/child rectal nozzles. All the old fashion hoses have been replaced with clear silicone, roller style shutoff clamps, and round flow gages.

The new equipment consist of three silicone open top douche/enema bags, one 1 3/4 quart, one 3 quart, and one 4 quart. I also have one 4 quart rubber open top douche/enema bag. Plus various silicone nozzles of various sizes and shapes from different vendors. As with my old fashion equipment, the new equipment uses clear silicone hoses, roller style shutoff clamps, and round flow gages.

Yes I do & will continue to do so…even as I have a. . ahem! . . modest collection of both “vintage” & modern Enema items. The only difference being a range of nozzles and tubes at my disposal.

@delia makes a good point in that her trusty Mr Higginson has served her well for 50 yeas ..As does my own that I covet

My all time favorite is a mid-1950s vintage red rubber Rexall Roxbury Fountain syringe with black nozzles, such as was used on me the first time I encountered a bag enema.

https://ibb.co/Ln3MYzt

I had never had had a bag enema before and I had no idea what was happening, but soon found out when the cramping started. Never before did I have to poo as much or as strongly and the same bag, filled with warm water with a swish of Ivory bar soap, still does the same thing

Yes. Since I am not that big on very large enemas, the common two quart bag serves me well. I have a typical open top, red, fountain syringe style bag as well as a closed top, red combination type bag, and several bulbs of various sizes.

My all time favorite is a mid-1950s vintage red rubber Rexall Roxbury Fountain syringe with black nozzles, such as was used on me the first time I encountered a bag enema.

https://ibb.co/Ln3MYzt

Thanks for posting the link to that great looking enema bag - hmmm makes me want an enema !

My mother had a white can with a red Hose. That was my introduction to enemas. I would love to find one or find someone who had one and get a MEMORABLE enema

@Larrybrady My mother had a white can with a red Hose.

That's what I think of when mention is made of old fashioned enema equipment. Never had an enema from one of those.

We have standard equipment bought from a drugstore: 2 qt red bag, white tube, rectal nozzle, vaginal nozzle, clamp, stopper (for hot water bottle).

European old fashioned equipment is more likely to be a can than a bag.

I do

Yes, just a very basic combo bag and douche nozzle.

Our red combination syringe is approx over 35 years old. While hardly an antique it does have a red hose and the black nozzles. It's still going strong as I used it just this morning. If you want to count antiques my enamel enema can at the lake is pretty old but I have no idea when it was made. Still, it's a real favorite of mine. What I miss more than anything is that amber Davol Travelfold that I bought when in college.

Oh yes, I certainly have, and use vintage equipment. Collected over the years, many rescued from relatives houses before they went for junk after they passed. Most have red hoses, many have black nozzles. The white Rexall has a white hose, and the latex bags have amber latex hoses.

Here are some I have used recently - or within the last six months:

Two Rexall Victoria combination syringes - one in traditional red, the other one is in the rare white color. A Rexall Roxbury, a Defender combination, a Davol Paris, a Davol Comfy open top, and two amber latex bags from OHN.

Bags that are around, but not recently used: Two of the Davol Civil Defense red latex folding syringes (NOS in the box), two old enamel irrigator cans, and more generic open-top syringes and combination bags are packed away and not used.

I am very fond of vintage equipment!

jd

Ohhh yes. Constantly using the older ( circa 50's - 70's ) equipment. I love the look and feel. The smell of the rubber brings back memories of the days when our nanny used to give us enemas after school on Friday's. Nowadays the trend away from latex is, of course, necessary for health reasons. Allergies etc. but, the older equipment has that nostalgia effect for a lot of us who grew up with them. The bag was either hanging on the back of the bathroom door, the closet door or, in the hall linen closet in the box. I really love the red versions but, we had a white, Rexall Victoria bag that we received our enemas from. Probably more of a ‘Nursing’ type thing there as our nanny was an RN also.

My ‘50’s deluxe red Victoria enema bag still gives that vintage butt busting enema experience as it did when I was 9--12 yrs.old. The same 4-½" black nozzle that streamed and sprayed and gave me goosebumps just looking at it as a boy. Invigorating is a under statement..then and now..

I still get my temperature taken with an old style BD Sure Temp Kit (I think that's the name). It's the one with the yellowish rectal thermometer and a space for the sheaths that weren't really ever used. For enemas, I just get them with the same red bag that I and my sisters' have for like forever. Just a plain 2 qt thing but with a colon tube attached to the plastic tip.

We have both vintage and modern enema equipment.I truly prefer vintage.the sme of vintage rubber mixed with a thick white ivory soap mix is just beautiful.we now have a beautiful vintage feminine douche bag that holds 3qt: which has become my new favorite enema bag as for nozzles nothing like using a beautiful long thick black douche nozzle…

@Emom Our red combination syringe is approx over 35 years old. While hardly an antique it does have a red hose and the black nozzles. It's still going strong as I used it just this morning…..

That bag must be really well cared for - great job to have it that long and that you are still using it!

From time to time we'll use the old 2 quart closed top….

I use old fashioned equipment, a metal mug of 1.2 quart and a red tube. The irrigator ist also a metal one. I find it within the heritage of my father`s house. It must be the one I got enemas till the age of 12.

Rexall Victoria….2qt white combination syringe…..love it and hope it lasts till my demise! 🥸

I still use my Davol fountain syringe that i bought when i was 13 or 14 in 1966 or 1967 it was from the very late 50's with bakelite nozzles and the drug store i bought the bag from and bought around 12 others had close to 100 in stock from the 50's along with the new bags with the icky white plastic nozzles ,but back then they were not viewed as vintage enema bags , had i know i would have bought them all , the lady that owned the drug store was really into enemas , and she had 3 and 4 quart bags also , but i was young and the size of those bags frightened me

Sure do, l love the classic stuff, regular adult nozzle, this kit is Faultless and must be close to fifty years old, l still have everything except the box …l found this image here on zity, but it is the exact set … https://en.zity.biz/gallery/image/160953