Fig. 112.—Champetier de Ribes’ bag.
More speedy results are obtained by the use of rubber bags, which may be collapsed before introduction and expanded afterward by filling them with sterile salt solution. There is a great variety of bags for this purpose, two of which that are frequently used are the Champetier de Ribes (Fig. [112]) and the Voorhees bags. (Fig. [113].) They come in graduated sizes, the largest holding about 500 cubic centimetres.
Fig. 113.—Voorhees’ bag, collapsed.
Fig. 114.—Rubber bag rolled and held in forceps for introduction into uterus.
Fig. 115.—Syringe for introducing sterile water into bag after its insertion into the uterus.
The operation is performed with the patient in the dorsal position. The cervix is drawn down into sight, with forceps, and if intact, is slightly dilated. The bag is rolled tightly, held in suitable forceps (Fig. [114]), and after being well lubricated is introduced through the slightly dilated cervix into the lower uterine segment, and pumped full of sterile salt solution. The solution is first measured in order to be sure that the bag is filled to its desired capacity, and is then introduced by means of a syringe, (Fig. [115]), through the rubber tubing which is attached to the lower end of the bag, and which is then closed off by the stop cock, to prevent escape of the fluid. It is very important that the solution be sterile in view of the possibility of any rubber bag rupturing, particularly when pressed upon by the contracting uterus. (See Fig. [47] for position of bag after introduction into uterus.)