LDBDA : 8659

anaesthetic inhaler

Portable regulating glass and metal ether inhaler with a child's nose mask. Stored in a black domed box with a glass bottle and measuring jug. Designed by John Clover.

Prior to the discovery of ether there was little that could be done to ease the pain of dental operations. The use of ether for dental extraction was demonstrated by James Robinson in 1846, although it did not come into general use until later. Ether was commonly administered using a towel soaked in it or it was inhaled through a cone. John Clover designed the first regulating ether inhaler in 1877. It was the first apparatus to regulate the amount of vapour inhaled by the patient and rapidly became popular. Clover described his invention in the British Medical Journal in 1877.

manufacturer: Allen and Hanburys Ltd manufacturer mask: Dental Manufacturing Company Ltd circa1880

inhaler metal and glass; mask metal; box wood and leather; bottle glass; height 150mm; width 275mm; depth 152mm