This is a finely made enema set by the English maker Francis Cluley. According to Elisabeth Bennion, Francis Cluley began working in Sheffield in 1813 and no trace of him can be found after 1837. This latter date would seem to be borne out by the discovery of the October 30, 1841 edition of the South Yorkshire newspaper, “Sheffield Independent”, which mentions the last will of “the late Mr. Cluley, of Sheffield, Surgical Instrument Maker.” Alex Peck of the website antiquescientifica.com refers to Cluley as “a relatively rare Georgian surgical instrument maker.”
The box is lined with purple velvet and contains the brass pump with ivory knob, and two enema tips made of bone: one straight and one with a 90 degree angle. It is possible that the different tips were used for rectal and vaginal cleansing. The hose, so often missing or torn, is remarkably intact and complete with the brass fittings at each end. The only missing item is the wooden plug.