Probang

A probang is a surgical tool 30 to 40 cm long consisting of a flexible rod with a sponge in the end used to remove foreign bodies or obstructions from the oesophagus.<ref>{{{last}}},

 Andrew Jackson Davis, 
  
 The Harbinger of Health, 
  
 New York:C. M. Plumb & Co., 
 1865, 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 Pages: 342,</ref> Its invention is credited to Walter Rumsey<ref>, 
  
 Jeff Kacirk's Forgotten English, 
  
 www.makefun.com,</ref> (1584-1660), who invented it in the 17th century. 

^{(October 2008)}

 Rumsey's probang was originally made using a long, slender rod of whalebone.  A piece of sponge was attached to one end and the tool which was used to push foreign bodies (lodged in the oesophagus) into the stomach.

In addition to their use in human surgery, probangs are also used by veterinarians on cattle, to reach obstructions and either force them along the oesophagus by (gently and carefully) using the probang as a ram or, by using a hollow probang into which a rod with a corkscrew is attached, extract objects such as pieces of potato or turnip too long for the paunch.<ref>{{{last}}},

 Gurdon Evans, 
  
 The Dairyman's Manual, 
  
 Utica:John W. Fuller & Company, 
 1851, 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 Pages: 187–188,</ref>

See also

• Instruments used in general surgery

References

<references />

Further reading

Laurie Slater. Bristle Probang (Feix)1890s(link). {{{website}}}.

   This article is a  stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!