2011.0685

DOWN BROS PATTERN, SCHIMMELBUSCH CHADBORN INHALER COLLAPSIBLE INHALER MASK WITH CLAMPING SCREW FRAME ADULT SIZE FOR ANAESTHETIC

Inscription

DOWN BROS/ LONDON

Production organisations

DOWN BROS

Labels

This device was invented by German physician Dr Curt Schimmelbusch in 1889 and was in use until the 1950s. Its purpose was to deliver anaesthetic such as ether or chloroform to a patient without it coming in contact with the skin, which could cause irritation. The metal frame would be covered with a thick layer of gauze, held in place by the hinged portion. The mask was placed over the patient's nose and mouth and liquid anaesthetic was dropped onto the gauze, allowing the patient to breathe a mixture of evaporated anaesthetic and air. The rim of the mask forms a trough to collect any excess liquid. A later modification by Chadborn added a circular screw and became a widely-used version of the mask.