Face mask for use ether or chloroform anaesthesia

Face mask for use with ether or chloroform anaesthesia, by Rieger, New York, United States, 1880-1920

The pieces of this kit could be combined to make a face mask for chloroform or ether. The rubber mask was attached to the shorter tube and wire cage with gauze for chloroform. For ether, the two tubes were attached together so air holes could be opened or closed. It is possible that the design was used or influenced by S O Goldan, who annotated photographs of the assembled face masks. It is likely that this name refers to S Ormand Goldan, a physician who worked on spinal anaesthesia for several years and argued that the anaesthetist should be recognised for their skills, rather than as a 'mere satellite of the surgeon.'