So what were these things used for?  Dr. Young’s rectal dilators.In 1892 a quack doctor by Fra

So what were these things used for?  Dr. Young’s rectal dilators.In 1892 a quack doctor by Frank E. Young patented these bizarre devices.  Called “Rectal Dilators” they were intended as a miracle cure for folks who suffered from embarrassing problems, most notably hemorrhoids and chronic constipation.  Dr. Young’s dilators came in four sizes, each incrementally larger.  The patient would start by inserting the smallest dilator in his bottom (lubrication was suggested) and sit on it for about ten minutes.  Then the patient would take the next size dilator, insert it, and again sit on it for another ten minutes.  The patient would then repeat the same steps with the third largest dilator, and then the largest, which was about four inches long and one inch in diameter. Dilators were made of rubber and bakelite.The patient would do this exercise everyday until eventually his or her problems went away.  The idea behind these devices was that continuous used would exercise the muscles of the rectum, strengthening them much like a weightlifter who pumps iron.  Unfortunately for Dr. Young’s clients, the dilators did very little and at worst could cause severe and permanent injury.  In 1938 the US Federal Food, Drugs and Cosmetics Act included medical devices within the regulatory powers of Federal Law.  Dr. Young was sued for libel and eventually went out of business. -- source link

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