What tool is this ?

Antique Tool Still In Use .

Do you know what it is?




Tobacco Smoke Enema

Kit (1750s - 1810s).

The tobacco enema was

used to infuse tobacco

smoke into a patient's

rectum for various medical purposes, but primarily

the resuscitation of

drowning victims.

A rectal tube inserted into

the anus was connected

to a fumigator and bellows

that forced the smoke

into the rectum. The warmth

of the smoke was thought

to promote respiration.

Doubts about the credibility

of tobacco enemas led to

the popular phrase

"blowing smoke up your ***."

This odd tool is still heavily

used by the United States

government.