A probe without enlargement at the tip was called ἀπυρηνομήλη or ἀπυρομήλη. The ear probe is frequently referred to as belonging to this class. These probes without nuclei were specially adapted for wrapping round with wool to apply medicaments, or wipe away discharge.
The size of the nucleus varied in different varieties of probe, but was pretty constant in each particular. It was largest in the probe known as the spathomele—a combination of spatula and probe which was in extremely common use for pharmaceutical purposes. The nucleus of this probe was such a well-known object that it is frequently referred to as a standard of size and shape. Galen (ii. 898) says:
‘In the cervix uteri is the foramen by which the woman both passes the monthly flux and receives the semen of the husband. By it also the foetus leaves the womb. It is marvellous how it varies in size according to circumstances. When the woman is not pregnant it admits the nucleus of a probe or something slightly larger’ (πυρῆνα μὲν μήλης ἐπιδέχεται ἢ βραχύ τι τούτου παχύτερον).
Here Kühn translates πυρῆνα by ‘acuminatum capitulum specilli’, which is incorrect. It is an olivary enlargement, not sharp point. In Paul (VI. xc), we have the nucleus given at the measure of distance between the perforations by which a bone was surrounded preparatory to its excision by means of chisels: ‘the space between the perforations made by the drills should be the breadth of the nucleus of a probe’ (τὸ μῆκος πυρῆνος).
Aetius (III. i. 16) says in volvulus the sphincter ani is so contracted that the nucleus of a probe cannot be got in.
Paul (VI. xxi) says that in couching a cataract we must enter the couching needle a nucleus breadth from the iris.
Besides its use as a sound the nucleus was frequently used as a means of applying medicaments, either in the form of ointments or dry powder, to affected parts.
Paul (VI. ix) says that in the cases of entropion, where the ordinary plastic operation is objected to, an elliptical piece may be burnt out of the eyelid with caustic applied on the nucleus of a probe (πυρηνοσμήλης), and similarly after removal of sebaceous cysts from the lid, levigated salts may be applied on the nucleus (τὸν πυρῆνα τῆς μήλης).
Aetius (II. iv. 23), quoting from Galen, says that in caries of the teeth some wax may be warmed on the nucleus of a probe (πυρῆνος μήλης), and again (II. iv. 14) he directs us to use it for application of pomade to the face (πυρῆνι μήλης). It would seem that this, and not the exploration of wounds, was the original use to which the olivary-pointed probe was put, for in early Egyptian tombs small pestle-like probes are, as a rule, found accompanying the toilet pigment boxes which are so common. They are mostly made of wood ([Pl. X, fig. 2]). The kohl-stick was not unknown to Greek ladies. (See Eustathius, Comment. in Iliad.)
Hitherto I have spoken of the probe as if it were a single instrument; but, as a matter of fact, the ends of the shaft are usually fashioned to serve different purposes. Thus at one end there will be a probe, at the other a spatula, a spoon, or a hook. Some of these combinations have names of their own, and others are so frequently met with that they too seem to have been constant types.