Description: Colostomy tube.

Caption: Paul's operation is a stage resection (removal of a large section) of the colon. A hole is made in the abdominal wall and a large loop of intestine is pulled through the incision. It is left there for two to three days with Paul's tube tied to the intestinal wall by the flange at one end. The other end is connected to a bottle by a thin latex tube and the section of intestine allowed to drain.

Introduction: This is Paul's tube in the form of a wide glass tube bent to form a right angle and flanged at both ends. It was used for drainage in Paul's operations which was a form of colostomy (permanent opening of the colon that is the large intestine).

Background: The loop which is held on the surface of the abdomen is then removed leaving a double colostomy. The lower section of the bowel is then closed by crushing that end of the spur of the intestine. This operation is also known a Mikulicz operation for the Romanian-born surgeon, at Breslau in Germany, Johann von Mikulicz-Radecki (1850-1905).

Historical Context: Design of the tube - Who: Paul, Frank Thomas (1851-1941) English surgeon

Historical Context: Design of the tube by Paul - When: late 19th or early 20th century - Where: England

Historical Context: Donation by the Department of Clinical Pysics & Bioengineering, University of Glasgow - Where: University Avenue, Glasgow, Scotland

Historical Context: Donation to the Hunterian Museum - Who: Davison, Malcolm, Dr The Department of Clinical Physics & Bio-Engineering

Historical Context: Donation to the Hunterian Museum by the Department of Clinical Physics & Bio-Engineering - When: March 29, 1993

Historical Context: Manufacture - When: circa 1900 - Where: Unknown - Who: Unknown, the instrument is unsigned

Historical Context: Owned by Rankin - When: 1921-1929 - Where: Glasgow, Scotland

Historical Context: Owner - Who: Mr William Rankin (Surgeon)

Historical Context: Owner and user at Glasgow's Western Infirmary, Sick Children's Hospital and the Dispensary - Who: Mr James, H. Nicoll (1863-1921) Surgeon to Glasgow's Sick Children's Hospital and Dispensary Surgeon

Historical Context: Used by Nicoll - Where: Scotland, Glasgow's Western Infirmary, Sick Children's Hospital and the Dispensary

Historical Context: Used by Nicoll at Glasgow's Western Infirmary, Sick Children's Hospital and the Dispensary - When: circa 1900