Chillums have been used extensively in India for many years ands are used spiritually by the Hindus They can be made from soapstone, clay and wood. They come in a variety of sizes, you place the smaller end into your hand and grip it hard. Don't place it directly into your mouth.
Each chillum comes with a stone which sits inside at the larger end of the chillum. Gauzes are not used on chillums. An easy way to clean them is with a cloth which goes in one end and comes out the other, or with cleaning brushes. You then take each end and pull it back and forward. Enjoy.