An extraordinary survival of 19th-century medical technology. This large-format 27cm syringe is crafted from high-grade Vulcanite, bearing the crisp and definitive stamping of "Goodyear’s Patent 1851." Charles Goodyear’s invention of hard rubber revolutionised the medical world, providing a durable, non-corrosive alternative to heavy metals and fragile glass.
 
Vulcanite (or Ebonite) is a hard, chemically resistant rubber. Charles Goodyear’s patent of 1851 was a revolution; before this, syringes were made of pewter (which corroded), silver (which was expensive), or glass (which broke). Measuring 27cm, this is a Large-Format Enema or Irrigation Syringe. It was used for the administration of "clysters" (enemas) or for deep wound irrigation. Its high capacity and the chemical stability of the rubber made it the preferred choice for Victorian hospitals and home use. The "Goodyear’s Patent 1851" stamp is iconic. While Goodyear patented the process in 1851, the actual manufacture of these specific medical tools flourished from the 1860s to the 1880s.
 
This specific specimen is in remarkable, near-mint condition, retaining its original deep-ebony lustre and sharp architectural lines. The mechanical action remains smooth, and the material shows none of the typical "blooming" or surface degradation associated with early rubber. A quintessential artifact for collectors of Victorian medical history or those specialising in the "Great Exhibition" era of industrial innovation.
 
The syringe measures 27cm (10.63") in length when closed.
 
This item is offered strictly as a curiosity/collectable only with no practical purpose.