Braun type ether and chloroform inhaler, cased, by Narco, Germany, 1901-1930

Devised in 1901 by Heinrich Braun (1862-1934), a German physician and surgeon, this inhaler uses chloroform and/or ether to numb patients for surgery. The scale moulded on to the side of the glass was used to control how much anaesthetic the patient received, whereas the taps at the top controlled how much air is mixed with the ether and chloroform. The face mask where vapours were inhaled would have been connected using rubber tubing.

Made by German company Narco, this example was owned and used from 1910 to 1940 by a Dr J D Whitney, who was based in London.