


Snow's face mask for chloroform anaesthesia, English, c1870
The design of the face mask has been attributed to Francis Sibson (1814-76) and early examples were made of sheet lead. This example is made from brass and lined with felt. It would have been used by patients to inhale vapours of chloroform to enter a state of unconsciousness before surgery. It is shown here with John Snow’s chloroform inhaler (A625273).
Details
- Category:
- Anaesthesiology
- Collection:
- Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
- Object Number:
- A625286
- Materials:
- face mask, brass and face mask, velvet
- type:
- anaesthetic mask