Clover-type chloroform inhaler

Made:
1862-1894 in London
maker:
Coxeter
and
George Barth and Company
Clover chloroform inhaler with case lacking lid, by Coxeter Clover chloroform inhaler with case lacking lid, by Coxeter

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Clover chloroform inhaler with case lacking lid, by Coxeter
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Clover chloroform inhaler with case lacking lid, by Coxeter
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Clover chloroform inhaler with case lacking lid, by Coxeter, London, 1862-1894

Joseph Thomas Clover (1825-1882) invented this inhaler, which was used for chloroform anaesthesia, in 1862. This inhaler was never popular despite Clover demonstrating its successful use for regulating dosage – incorrect doses of chloroform proved to be lethal.

Inhaling the fumes of anaesthetic was the preferred way of numbing the patient to perform painful surgical procedures. Using a syringe, 2.4 ml of liquid chloroform was injected into the chamber then heated by a vaporizer, which was attached to bellows that could pump sixteen litres of air at a time. This created a concentration of 4.5 per cent chloroform in air, enough to anaesthetise a patient within four minutes. The mixture filled a waterproof silk bag which was placed on the anaesthetist’s back so he could move around easily. The patient breathed in the vapour through a face mask.

Details

Category:
Anaesthesiology
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A600332
Materials:
wood (unidentified), metal (unknown), glass, leather and incomplete
Measurements:
overall: 460 mm x 270 mm 4.78kg
type:
inhaler
credit:
Loan, Wellcome Trust

Parts

Chloroform chamber for Clover's inhaler

Chloroform chamber for Clover's inhaler

Chloroform chamber for Clover's chloroform inhaler, by Coxeter

Measurements:
overall: 110 mm x 173 mm x 110 mm,
Materials:
brass and bone, lid
Object Number:
A600332 Pt2
type:
chloroform chambers
Chloroform syringe from Clover inhaler

Chloroform syringe from Clover inhaler

Syringe (for chloroform)

Measurements:
overall: 17 mm x 140 mm x 26 mm, .034 kg
Materials:
glass and steel (metal)
Object Number:
A600332 Pt5
type:
syringes
Bottle, from Clover's inhaler

Bottle, from Clover's inhaler

Bottle with stopper and cover

Measurements:
overall: 97 mm 48 mm, .136 kg
Materials:
glass
Object Number:
A600332 Pt6
type:
bottles
Reservoir bag for Clover inhaler

Reservoir bag for Clover inhaler

Reservoir bag, fabric, for Joseph Thomas Clover's chloroform inhaler

Materials:
fabric and wood, collar
Object Number:
A600332 Pt7
type:
bags
Tubing from chloroform inhaler

Tubing from chloroform inhaler

Tubing to fit bag, from Joseph Thomas Clover's chloroform inhaler.

Measurements:
overall: 690 mm 30 mm, .526 kg
Materials:
metal (unknown)
Object Number:
A600332 Pt8
type:
tubing