Showcase N: Urology

1. Two lithotomy forceps and a scoop (with
obstructing bladder stone): 16th century.
2. Jointed flexible urethral knife (urethrotome):
for incise-release of urethral stenosis, often
resulting from gonorrhea, c. 1750.

3. Frère Come’s cache bistoury urethrotome:
c. 1750, a retractable swivel blade in its
director that, after being intruded into the
urethra, was opened, slicing the stenotic
urethra. Beside it, a similar 20th-century
urethrotome.
4. Cock’s trocar: c. 1870, for trans-rectal
aspiration of the urinary bladder, allowing
for evacuation of the pressurized bladder.
The pain caused by the urine’s increasing
pressure was so great that patients were
willing to undergo any trauma to relieve
it. The connection between the rectum and
bladder often induced severe urinary
tract infections (UTI).
5. Large scalpel: 18th century, steel blade with
ebonite handle.

6. Two lithotrites for crushing urinary bladder
stones, after being introduced through the
urethra, c. 1800.
7. Eighteenth-century soft and flexible male
catheters developed by Ambroise Paré, made
of cloth soaked in wax and stiffened with a
central metal wire tipped by an ivory button.
Their use was much less traumatic and painful
because they were softer and more flexible
than the rigid metal.
8. Rigid male catheter, c. 1880, silver, and below,
a telescopic female catheter, c. 1790, silver.
9. Flexible probe with a “caustic” to open and
clear a stenotic and inflamed urethra, c. 1850.
10. Urethral dilator: used to dilate the urethra
before introducing scoops, lithotrites,
forceps, etc., c. 1850.