anesthesiology1
Bennett Gas and Ether Inhaler, circa 1900.
New York physician Thomas L. Bennett, M.D. (1869-1932) was a student of Sir Frederic W. Hewitt (1857-1916), the leading British anesthesiologist. He invented an ether inhaler, a look-alike inhaler for gas (nitrous oxide) and a third inhaler that combined them in a "piggyback" configuration. He introduced all three together in one article published in 1900. When new, the mask would have had a rubber rim for a better seal and more comfortable fit. The ether inhaler would have been packed with gauze as a medium for the liquid anesthetic. Whether used alone or in tandem, the gas inhaler would have been connected to a rubber rebreathing bag; this added some of the patient's exhaled carbon dioxide to the anesthetic. The amount of fresh air admitted to the patient could be controlled by adjusting a sliding cover on each cylinder. Bennett inhalers were made by several firms and continued in use through the 1930s. The example shown here was made by the original manufacturer, Geo. Tiemman & Co.
Bennett Gas and Ether Inhaler, circa 1900.
New York physician Thomas L. Bennett, M.D. (1869-1932) was a student of Sir Frederic W. Hewitt (1857-1916), the leading British anesthesiologist. He invented an ether inhaler, a look-alike inhaler for gas (nitrous oxide) and a third inhaler that combined them in a "piggyback" configuration. He introduced all three together in one article published in 1900. When new, the mask would have had a rubber rim for a better seal and more comfortable fit. The ether inhaler would have been packed with gauze as a medium for the liquid anesthetic. Whether used alone or in tandem, the gas inhaler would have been connected to a rubber rebreathing bag; this added some of the patient's exhaled carbon dioxide to the anesthetic. The amount of fresh air admitted to the patient could be controlled by adjusting a sliding cover on each cylinder. Bennett inhalers were made by several firms and continued in use through the 1930s. The example shown here was made by the original manufacturer, Geo. Tiemman & Co.