Ok, I absolutely swear that I heard this mentioned on Storage Wars and I wasn’t randomly searching the internet for things to put up my butt.
The 1800’s and early 1900’s were full of wacky medical devices that people bought into in hopes that it would cure their various medical ailments. My guess is that in another century our descendants are going to look at us the same way. “You took pills to help you do what? And you had to go to the doctor if it didn’t go down in 4 hours?” But that’s beside the point. Of all of the weird medical devices to come out of yesteryear, this might be at the top of my list for most disturbing.
http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/prostate-heater
This is a prostate heater. It was meant to help with various prostate problems. Of course I have a few issues with this whole scenario. The first is the whole prostate problem. I understand that it is more of an older man’s problem but I have never, ever heard of someone having discomfort and immediately assuming that they are having prostate problems. So I wouldn’t personally jump to the conclusion that I had prostate problems. In fact, I think I’d try every other possibly solution before resorting to trying to heal my prostate.
Which of course is my second problem. Assuming that the doctor diagnosed the problem, he would probably do so digitally. And I don’t mean digital in the modern sense. I mean digital as in with one’s digit (finger). So after the doctor sticks his finger up your butt and feels around, what does he say? “Your problem is you don’t put things in your butt often enough. Insert this heater up your butt and I promise you that you won’t be concerned about your prostate any longer.”
And then there is the whole electric thing. Battery powered would be bad enough but this is the second to last place that I want to put any electrical device and run the risk of getting shocked.
Finally, I take issue with who would want to own a prostate heater today. Obviously I realize that the chances are slim that someone wants to actually use it today - but I don’t rule anything out. This is a 100 year old antique and old medical devices certainly have a market for them. But even factoring in all of that, who wants to buy a device that has been stuck up somebody’s butt (or probably many butts since my guess is that these were not personal devices.) There is not enough bleach, Lysol, or whatever you want to use to disinfect it with.
Of course, if you want a prostate heater as a part of your collection, and for all I know, it might be the crown jewel of a collection, then to each his own. I for one won’t be standing in line waiting to buy the next one that goes on sale.