CATHETER

is an instrument for drawing off water from the bladder. The material of which they are made is either metal, gum elastic, or rubber. Catheters for the female are also made = gla , but these = not re ego In certain cases the uent pa age of a catheter may be nece ary for years, aaa the sufferer may have to do this himself. Let him bear in mind the following sere:—only soft catheters are safe in his hands; the catheter used must t no flaws or rough surfaces, and it must be sterilised sree and after use. The gum elastic kind are best sterilised by keeping them in glycerine which pei a eee of mercury of a strength of one in two th; the rubber catheter should be boiled before and after use. [s. 341]