Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia

Made:
1847-1848 in London England and London
maker:
Weiss, John
Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia

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Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London

Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia
Science Museum Group
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum, London.

Early inhaler for ether anaesthesia, ether bottle connected by tubing to face mask, by Weiss of London, 1847-1848

Ether was first used as an anaesthetic in 1846 during the removal of a tooth. The dentist was William Thomas Green Morton (1819-1868), an American. This inhaler is adapted from Morton’s original. Morton called his invention the ‘Letheon Inhaler’ to keep the anaesthetising agent, ether, a secret and to control who used it.

Ether-soaked sponges were placed in the glass jar. Flexible rubber tubing connected the valve to the face mask so the patient could inhale the ether. The outlet valve has a glass tube attached so more ether can be put on the sponges if needed.

Details

Category:
Anaesthesiology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A625399
Materials:
complete, glass, brass (copper, zinc alloy), sponge, wood (unidentified), metal, cloth, metal (unknown) and rubber (unidentified)
Measurements:
overall - as displayed: 265 mm x 315 mm x 185 mm, 85 mm, 1.14 kg
type:
anaesthetic mask and inhaler
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust