[Reprinted from the Journal of Cutaneous and Gentto-Urinary Diseases, February, 1895.] 
AN APPARATUS FOR WARMING AND STERILIZING 
INJECTIONS. 
By FRED. J. LEVISEUR, M. D. 
THE beneficial action of warm injections in the treatment of 
gonorrhoea is universally acknowledged. Warm solutions 
soak more easily into the epithelial layer of the mucous mem- 
brane ; they are less irritating, and consequently not likely to produce 
reflex contractions of the muscular parts of the urethra. In many 
cases they even overcome the resistance of the cut-off muscle and enter 
the bladder, provided that they are injected in sufficient quantity and 
under a steady pressure. The reasons why warm injections have not 
become more popular are the desire of the patients to keep their dis- 
ease secret and the tendency to regard gonorrhoea as a trifling affec- 
tion, in the treatment of which it is deemed unnecessary to waste 
much time and trouble. In spite of the advances of modern science, 
both this foolish prejudice and this pernicious notion still prevail and 
compel the physician in a great many instances to stick to the old rou- 
tine treatment—much against his wish. Still there are patients (and 
their number is growing) who, either more cautious by nature or 
made heedful by experience, are willing to devote the proper time 
and care to the treatment of their ailment and leave the hands of the 
physician free to act regardless of minor considerations. 
The procedure of warming a solution is not as easy as may be im- 
agined. One has to pour some of the solution into a glass tube or a 
dish and then heat it over a flame, or one has to immerse the wfliole 
bottle each time into hot water. In the first instance much of the 
water will evaporate and the strength of the solution will be greatly 
increased. In the second instance the label will fall off and the cork 
will drop out of the bottle and water will enter into the latter. Be- 
sides, repeated warming will again result in gradually changing the 
concentration of the solution. Several vessels, an alcohol lamp, or very 
hot water are required. 2 
Original Communications. 
With the kind aid of Mr. M. J. Breitenbach, druggist at 591 Madi- 
son Avenue, New York, I have constructed a small apparatus which 
is to be given to the patient. The accompanying illustration shows 
its construction. It is cone-shaped, two inches and three quarters high, 
two inches and a half in diameter at the top and three inches at the 
bottom, and holds about seven ounces of water. The kettle is half 
filled with water, some of the solution poured into the glass cup, and 
the latter inserted into the opening provided for it. The rubber band 
around the glass cup keeps it tightly in position, prevents it from 
cracking, and keeps the steam from coming in contact with the solu- 
tion. The steam escapes directly from the kettle through a number 
of holes near the rim. The apparatus can also be used for sterilizing 
subcutaneous and intramuscular injection fluids or small instruments, 
as hypodermic needles, scarification and vaccination lancets, etc. 
Hoffman Arms, 61/) Madison Avenue, New York.