Early gastroscope. Historical artwork of a male patient undergoing an examination by the first useful gastroscope (endoscope). The patient is lying on a table with his head tilted backwards, this is to allow a rigid tube to pass down his throat. At bottom right is a receptacle to catch the patient's saliva as he is not able to swallow during the examination. The tube used electric lighting to illuminate the patient's stomach. Modern gastroscopes consist of a slender, flexible tube which contain glass fibres. They also have channels through which surgeons can manipulate tiny surgical instruments.