Benjamin Franklin: Created A Stronger Constitution from Improved Catheter Design
BAUS ePoster online library. Malik A. 06/21/21; 319116; p7-8
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Adnan Malik
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Immortalised as a Founding Father and the United States' first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790) was also a printer, diplomat and scientist. Furthermore, his curious nature coupled with shrewd observations led to medical achievements. He co-founded the nation's first hospital(Pennsylvania hospital; 1751), advocated smallpox inoculation, described psoriasis before Willan, recognised the placebo effect, and invented bifocal spectacles(1784) and a flexible catheter.
Catheters in the 18th-century were invariably rigid and generated pain when passed. In 1752, Franklin's older brother, John, was diagnosed with bladder calculi secondary to incomplete emptying and required daily drainage with a stiff metal catheter. Upon hearing of his brother's affliction and toil with catheterisation Benjamin designed a slim flexible silver catheter. The segments hinged together over an enclosed wire to provide rigidity during insertion. Holes bored into the tip allowed drainage. A local silversmith fashioned the catheter and Franklin used tallow 'to fill the joints' and aide with insertion. His fathers' occupation as tallow-chandler undoubtedly influenced its use.
The correspondence enclosed with the catheter revealed Franklin's delight: 'It is as flexible as would be expected in a thing of the kind, and I imagine it will readily comply with the turns of the passage.' Afflicted by 'Gravel&Gout' in his later years, Franklin also used the catheter, as at 82-years old a cystolithotomy was deemed too high-risk(1787).
Whilst the flexible catheter, by Franklin's own admission, may be credited to Francesco Roncelli-Pardino(1720), this should not detract from his contribution to urology and his standing as one of the great polymaths.
Catheters in the 18th-century were invariably rigid and generated pain when passed. In 1752, Franklin's older brother, John, was diagnosed with bladder calculi secondary to incomplete emptying and required daily drainage with a stiff metal catheter. Upon hearing of his brother's affliction and toil with catheterisation Benjamin designed a slim flexible silver catheter. The segments hinged together over an enclosed wire to provide rigidity during insertion. Holes bored into the tip allowed drainage. A local silversmith fashioned the catheter and Franklin used tallow 'to fill the joints' and aide with insertion. His fathers' occupation as tallow-chandler undoubtedly influenced its use.
The correspondence enclosed with the catheter revealed Franklin's delight: 'It is as flexible as would be expected in a thing of the kind, and I imagine it will readily comply with the turns of the passage.' Afflicted by 'Gravel&Gout' in his later years, Franklin also used the catheter, as at 82-years old a cystolithotomy was deemed too high-risk(1787).
Whilst the flexible catheter, by Franklin's own admission, may be credited to Francesco Roncelli-Pardino(1720), this should not detract from his contribution to urology and his standing as one of the great polymaths.
Immortalised as a Founding Father and the United States' first Postmaster General, Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790) was also a printer, diplomat and scientist. Furthermore, his curious nature coupled with shrewd observations led to medical achievements. He co-founded the nation's first hospital(Pennsylvania hospital; 1751), advocated smallpox inoculation, described psoriasis before Willan, recognised the placebo effect, and invented bifocal spectacles(1784) and a flexible catheter.
Catheters in the 18th-century were invariably rigid and generated pain when passed. In 1752, Franklin's older brother, John, was diagnosed with bladder calculi secondary to incomplete emptying and required daily drainage with a stiff metal catheter. Upon hearing of his brother's affliction and toil with catheterisation Benjamin designed a slim flexible silver catheter. The segments hinged together over an enclosed wire to provide rigidity during insertion. Holes bored into the tip allowed drainage. A local silversmith fashioned the catheter and Franklin used tallow 'to fill the joints' and aide with insertion. His fathers' occupation as tallow-chandler undoubtedly influenced its use.
The correspondence enclosed with the catheter revealed Franklin's delight: 'It is as flexible as would be expected in a thing of the kind, and I imagine it will readily comply with the turns of the passage.' Afflicted by 'Gravel&Gout' in his later years, Franklin also used the catheter, as at 82-years old a cystolithotomy was deemed too high-risk(1787).
Whilst the flexible catheter, by Franklin's own admission, may be credited to Francesco Roncelli-Pardino(1720), this should not detract from his contribution to urology and his standing as one of the great polymaths.
Catheters in the 18th-century were invariably rigid and generated pain when passed. In 1752, Franklin's older brother, John, was diagnosed with bladder calculi secondary to incomplete emptying and required daily drainage with a stiff metal catheter. Upon hearing of his brother's affliction and toil with catheterisation Benjamin designed a slim flexible silver catheter. The segments hinged together over an enclosed wire to provide rigidity during insertion. Holes bored into the tip allowed drainage. A local silversmith fashioned the catheter and Franklin used tallow 'to fill the joints' and aide with insertion. His fathers' occupation as tallow-chandler undoubtedly influenced its use.
The correspondence enclosed with the catheter revealed Franklin's delight: 'It is as flexible as would be expected in a thing of the kind, and I imagine it will readily comply with the turns of the passage.' Afflicted by 'Gravel&Gout' in his later years, Franklin also used the catheter, as at 82-years old a cystolithotomy was deemed too high-risk(1787).
Whilst the flexible catheter, by Franklin's own admission, may be credited to Francesco Roncelli-Pardino(1720), this should not detract from his contribution to urology and his standing as one of the great polymaths.
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