Who invented the suppositories?

Answer 1

In 1991, Abd-El-Maeboud and his colleagues published a study in The Lancet, based upon their investigation into whether there was some hidden and forgotten knowledge behind the traditional shape of a rectal suppository.

Their research very clearly demonstrated that there was, indeed, a very good reason for the traditional torpedo shape; namely, that the shape had a strong influence on the extent to which the rectal suppository traveled internally - and, thus, upon its increased efficiency.

They (counter-intuitively) found that the ideal mode of insertion was to insert suppositories blunt end first, rather than the generally used mode of inserting the tapered end first. This conclusion was based on the greater distance of internal travel of the suppository once inserted, which was entirely a mechanical consequence of the natural actions of the bowel's muscular structure and the rectal configuration.

As a consequence, and in order to guarantee the maximum optimal efficiency, they recommended that all rectal suppositories be inserted blunt end first. The findings of this single study have been challenged as insufficient evidence on which to base clinical practice