Hedley's inhaler, for ether anaesthesia

Dr Hedley of Bedford, England patented this inhaler in 1847. It was used with ether anaesthetic. The two valves, made from ivory and porcelain, are used for inhaling and exhaling. The inhaler was simple and easy to use. An ether-soaked sponge would have been placed in the bottom of the bottle and heated so the vapours could be inhaled. As the inhaler was made of wood it could easily be kept warm, unlike its glass predecessors.