This image is released under a CC BY-SA 4.0 Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseCopy of Morton's inhaler for ether anaesthesia
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:
- complete, glass, brass (copper, zinc alloy) and sponge
- Measurements:
-
overall: 162 mm x 282 mm x 193 mm, .836 kg
- type:
- inhaler
- credit:
- Massachusetts General Hospital
