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Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Copy of Morton's inhaler for ether anaesthesia, first used 16 October 1846, possibly English, 1870-1920
The first recorded use of ether as an anaesthetic was in October 1846, during an operation to remove a tooth. The dentist was William Thomas Green Morton (1819-1868). This is a copy of the inhaler Morton used in his public demonstration, which took place in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The air is drawn into the glass jar where ether-soaked sponges emit vapour which is inhaled by the patient through the glass mouthpiece at the top. The patient’s expired air is diverted by a valve in the mouthpiece. This type of inhaler was widely used and adapted by a large number of dentists. The original is on show at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Details
- Category:
- Anaesthesiology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A625379
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy), complete, glass and sponge
- type:
- inhaler
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- tools & equipment
- credit:
- Massachusetts General Hospital
