Showing 431 items
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Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Tube, Endotracheal, Uncuffed Rubber Nasal Tube
This is an early example of an endotracheal tube invented by Ivan Magill. The shattered faces and jaws of wounded soldiers presented real difficulties for the administration of anaesthesia. Ivan Magill and Stanley Rowbotham developed endotracheal tubes for these procedures that were more efficient and practical than the earlier insufflation catheters.The attached safety pin was used to prevent the loss of the tube down the patient's nose.Brown rubber tubing with three pairs of holes at one end and a bevelled edge at the other for nasal endotracheal intubation. There is a large safety pin stuck through the first pair of holes.magill, ivan, endotracheal, intubation, nasal, airway -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Tube, Endotracheal, Double Lumen, Mallinckrodt
This is an unused example of a Double Lumen Endotracheal Tube. This tube would be used to achieve the selective one sided ventilation of either the right or the left lung. Clear plastic tube with a "v" shaped connector at one end that holds two tubes, one blue one and one clear plastic. There are two finer plastic tubes on either side of the central tube, one blue one and one clear plastic. Blue plastic cuff and a clear plastic cuff are wrapped around the tube at the other end.Printed in black ink on the side of the central tube: Mallinckrodt R 35Fr. LEFT Brocho-Cath TM 27 Do Not Reuse 29 31cm Printed in black ink on blue plastic tube: BRONCHIAL Printed in black ink on clear plastic tube: 35Fr. TRACHEALendotracheal, intubation, double lumen, mallinckrodt, magill, united states of america -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Tube, Endotracheal, Double Lumen, Mallinckrodt
This is an example of a Double Lumen Endotracheal Tube. This tube is used to achieve the selective one sided ventilation of either the right or the left lung.Clear plastic tube with a "v" shaped connector at one end that holds two tubes, one blue one and one clear plastic. There are two finer plastic tubes on either side of the central tube, one blue one and one clear plastic. Blue plastic cuff and a clear plastic cuff are wrapped around the tube at the other end.Printed in black ink on the side of the central tube: Mallinckrodt R 41Fr. RIGHT Brocho-Cath TM 27 Do Not Reuse 29 I.T. 31cm Printed in black ink on blue plastic tube: BRONCHIAL Printed in black ink on clear plastic tube: 41Fr. TRACHEALendotracheal, magill, intubation, mallinckrodt, united states of america, airway -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Tube, Pharyngeal, Cuffed, India Tyre and Rubber Company
This is an early example of a cuffed pharyngeal tube. The cuffed airway was a significant development in pharyngeal tubes as it helped to protect the airway from blood and secretions. Black rubber tubing with spiral metal inner tube and red rubber pump mechanism attachedMoulded onto rubber bulb: Tycos Moulded onto rubber connector: MADE ONLY FOR PATENTEE / INDIA TYRE AND RUBBER CO / INCHINNAN / SCOTLAND Moulded into metal connection: Tycos / LONDONpharyngeal, ndia rubber & tyre company, airway, cuffed, scotland, tycos -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Probang
Until suction became available in the 1930s, maintenance of a clear airway during oral and nasal surgery relied on posturing of the patient, mopping with sponges or the temporary placement of swabs or throat guards. Removal of surgical debris such as polyps, blood clots or foreign bodies could only be effected by the finger or devices such as probangs. The Probang is inserted blind (perhaps guided by a finger), the main shaft can then be held in the left hand whilst the right hand withdraws the inner tube. This results in a fanning out of the linear strands which are visible proximal to the tip. Held in this position the instrument is withdrawn and is supposed to scoop out the offending mass. Long flexible metal rod covered in gum resin sheath with a ring grip at the proximal end and a smooth metal rounded edge tip for insertion into the airway for clearing of obstructive matter.Stamped onto gum resin sheath: MADE FOR / CARL ZOELLER BRISBANE / GERMANY Stamped onto gum resin sheath in gold leaf: [indecipherable - presumably manufacturer's label]probang, flexible, oral, airway, horsehair, anaesthesia, obstruction, dr sharkey, lidcombe state hospital -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Bottle, Ether, Woolwich Elliott, 1964
Amber coloured glass bottle with moulded ridges along the outer sphere. Bottle has cork stopper with metal top. White manufacturer's label is adhered to front of bottle with blue and red printed ink.Stamped in red ink onto metal lid: WOOLWICH / ELLIOTT Stamped in black ink on manufacturer's label: JAN 1964ether, woolwich elliott, sydney -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Equipment - Ether in Oil
Ether in oil was used for rectal anaesthesia. Rectal anaesthesia offered a way to administer anaesthesia when using a mask was impractical, such as oral or respiratory tract surgery. Undiluted ether was irritating to the bowel and even proved to be fatal. Ether in oil, developed in 1913, minimized irritation with no reported deaths.Empty clear glass bottle with cork stopper which has become dislodged and is now inside the bottle. The bottle has a white label with handwriting on the front. The bottle has been decanted.Handwritten in ink: Ether in Oil / = parts Stamped in red ink on top left corner of label: CAU... [faded and almost indecipherable]ether, ether in oil, rectal administration, anaesthesia -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Vial, Ketalar, Parke Davis
Ketamine is useful for inducing anaesthesia in shocked patients. It is also commonly used in low doses or infusions for the management of chronic pain. It can produce a state of 'dissociative anaesthesia', where patients are pain free, but not necessarily unconscious. Three small glass vials with different colour print labels on each containing 10ml Ketalar (Ketamine Hydrochloride).local anaesthetic, ketalar, ketamine hydrochloride, shock, parke davis -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Ampoule, Propofol, Biochemie Australia (Novartis)
Propofol is an induction agent for anaesthesia and also used in intensive care to induce unconsciousness. Propofol doesn't dissolve in water so it comes in a white, oily solution and must be refrigerated before it’s used. The solution consists of soybean oil, fats purified from egg yolks, and glycerol. Propofol is used as an “induction agent”—the drug that causes loss of consciousness— for general anaesthesia in major surgery. In lower doses it is also used for “conscious sedation” of patients getting procedures on an outpatient basis at ambulatory surgery centres. The main reason propofol is the agent of choice is because it allows for very rapid recovery, is the perfect drug for insertion of laryngeal masks and is the agent of choice for infusions. It has largely replaced thiopentone, the original drug of choice, but this is still available in Australia and used in specific situations. Propofol was linked to the death of Michael Jackson. Large clear glass ampoule with adhered manufacturer's label blue on white label containing the milky liquid of Propofol BC, 20mls.propofol, local anaesthetic, intensive care, jackson, michael, biochemie australia (novartis) -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Kelene, Gilliard, Monnet & Cartier, 1890
Kelene is the proprietary name used for ethyl chloride in France which became synonymous with the agent in Europe. The manufacturer, Gilliard P. Monnet and Cartier of Lyon, also supplied Redard with his ampoules in 1890. Ethyl chloride was discovered by the French chemist Guillaume-Francois Rouelle in 1759; however it was not until 1901 that Frederic-Henri Basse manufactured sufficient for scientific study. Marie Jean-Pierre Flourens, Professor Comparative Anatomy at the University of Paris, first reported the effect of the inhalation of ethyl chloride after some experiments with and other agents in dogs. He described three experiments in which the dogs died, however death followed a period of insensibility as with ether although of much faster onset.Ten large glass phials containing 3g Kelene (Ethyl Chloride) stored in their original packaging. The box originally had twelve phials with now only ten remaining. Of the ten, 8 still contain the Kelene, 1 phial is empty but intact and 1 phial is broken. The cardboard box has a maroon paper cover, removable top with the product label and literature pasted across the base and top of the package. All product information is in French.ethyl chloride, kelene, local anaesthetic, gilliard p. monnet and cartier, france -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Shipway's Apparatus, Circa 1916
Recognising that warmed ether was less irritating to the airway and patients receiving it were less likely to experience shock, Francis Shipway developed the Shipway's apparatus which was used during World War 1 and continued to be used through to World War 2. Reduction of shock for patients who had experienced trauma was crucial to their later recovery, particularly during war times. This example of the Shipway's apparatus also has the facility for administering chloroform.A triangular metal stand with two glass jars sitting in a metal tub and a green metal jar that looks like a thermos, also sitting in a metal tub. A metal pole has been screwed into the centre point of the stand, with a circular top to act as a handle. One of the jars has a rubber stopper in the neck with metal tubing attached to the stopper. The other glass jar has a metal screw top with a dropper spout. The two glass jars are connected via red rubber tubing. The apparatus has been sectioned in parts to show the inner mechanisms.Typed in black ink on white paper and adhered to metal bath: SHIPWAY'S APPARATUS •Typed in black ink on white paper and adhered to metal bath: ETHER VAPORISER •Typed in black ink on white paper and adhered to metal bath: THERMOS WITH HOT WATER •Typed in black ink on white paper and adhered to glass bottle: CHLOROFORM VAPORIZER •Typed in black ink on white paper and adhered to metal connector: TO AIR BELLOWS •Typed in black ink on white paper and adhered to tube in thermos: DELIVERY TUBE •Moulded into base of thermos: THERMOSshipway, world war i, warmed ether, endotracheal, chloroform -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Insufflation anaesthesia machine
In 1913, Mark Cowley Lidwill designed a machine for the purpose of mechanical or insufflation anaesthesia. The Lidwill machine was a portable machine weighing 7kg that could easily be packed into two small bags. The machine involved compressed air being delivered to an ether vaporiser. An ether/air control device allowed varying concentrations of ether to be delivered. The ether vaporiser could be immersed in hot water to prevent cooling and the ether temperature was measured. From the vaporiser, the ether/air mixture went through a trap bottle, then to a crude mercury blow-off valve and subsequently to the patient.Large leather suitcase style bag divided into two levels containing and insufflation anaesthesia machine.insufflation, mark cowley lidwill, thoracic surgery, positive pressure -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Hewitt's Gas-Air Stopcock and Mask, 1887
Sir Frederick William Hewitt was a great advocate of nitrous oxide anaesthesia, mainly for short procedures. In 1885, he reviewed the methods of administration and concluded that accurately fitting valves were essential at the commencement of the inhalation, in order to ensure the rapid washout of air from the lungs; and there was a distinct advantage in allowing some rebreathing of nitrous oxide towards the end of inhalation. He thus devised the stopcock. The stopcock consists of a cylinder with two rotating sleeves and two rubber flap valves. The arrangement allows air to be breathed either through the valves or rebreathed to and from the bag; nitrous oxide to be breathed either through the valves from the bag and out to the atmosphere or rebreathed to and from the bag. Soon after the introduction of this stopcock, there was an increased interest in administering oxygen in combination with nitrous oxide.Amber coloured ether inhaler, with leather mask, celluloid shield and inflatable cushion with attached Hewitt's stopcock.hewitt, stopcock, celluloid, ether, inhaler, mask, rebreathing -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Equipment - Murray's Chloroform Mask, 1868
This small, neat, domette covered mask was widely used throughout Australia for the administration of chloroform anaesthesia.Triangular shaped mask with hinged arm at point of triangle that connects to upper frame section via a hook. Used for the administration of chloroform.chloroform, facemask, foldable, anaesthesia, anesthesia -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Bellamy Gardner mask with Ogston frame, post 1905
The Bellamy Gardner mask was in use by 1905 and was the first British mask for the open administration of ether. This mask combines the features of the Bellamy Gardner mask with a tower frame designed by Ogston. The Museum's "Penn catalogue", circa 1970, describes this mask: "this followed closely upon Ferguson's lead, but has an enormous amount of "dead-space" contained within the apparatus."Open wire ether mask with inner dome (Bellamy Gardner mask) and outer wire frame tower (Ogston frame).Moulded into connector clip: BRITISH MAKEbellamy gardner, ogston, open ether administration, henry peter penn -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Inhaler, Ether, Dewee, 1901
This is a simple metal mask with an ether chamber surmounting it. The patient breathes air down through the variable orifice over the surface of ether and in through the variable orifice over the surface of ether and in through the inspiratory valve. Exhalation was by means of the expiratory valve placed in the centre of the mask. All channels are extremely small and would offer considerable resistance to respiration.Metal inhaler with shaped rim edgeEngraved by hand into side of mask: DEWEE'S ETHER / INHALER.. 1901. Stamped into side of mask: J.E. LEECO / PATD. NOV. 12-1901 / 400ether, inhaler, ramsay, dewee, leeco -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Cannulae, Transfusion
Blood was long thought to be the essence of life and the centre of the soul; it was believed to provide a person with physical strength and mental abilities. In 1677, Richard Lower and Jean Baptiste Denis, in separate experiments, attempted animal-to-man transfusions to treat mental disorders. They had mixed success but didn't appear to cure the ailment. In 1818, James Blundell became interested in blood transfusion after witnessing the many deaths resulting from post-partum haemorrhage. He began with experiments in dogs and soon established it was possible to transfuse using a syringe if he worked quickly. Blundell established that cross-species transfusions didn't work and were dangerous. The early part of the 20th Century saw major developments in blood transfusion. Blood groups were identified by 1907 and the Kimpton Brown vessel (see 3675) slowed coagulation. These transfusion needles were used to collect and administer blood for transfusions.Two glass tubes, one with straight and one with a curve at the base. The tubes, known as cannualae, were used to facilitate blood transfusions.transfusion, cannula, kimpton brown, blood, blood transfusion, blundell, lower, denis -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Bottle, Blood transfusion
Dr Alan Holmes á Court enlisted in the Australian Army in 1916 as a medical officer with the rank of Captain. In 1918, Holmes á Court was promoted to Major and attached to the 4th Australian Field Ambulance on the Western Front. As the front advanced, the Casualty Clearing Stations became further removed from the battlefield, creating an urgent need for immediate resuscitation prior to transfer back to the CCS. In June 1918, Holmes a Court and his colleagues established a forward resuscitation team. The team consisted of one doctor trained in surgery, blood transfusion and resuscitation, another doctor trained in anaesthesia, resuscitation and blood classification, and four other assisting staff. This team moved out to the wounded, rather than waiting for them to be stretchered back. They provided on-the-spot, life-saving resuscitation. The wounded were then transported back to the Casualty Clearing Station or Regimental Aid Post for further treatment. Among the assorted surgical and resuscitation equipment carried by the forward resuscitation team, were a number of Kimpton-Brown flasks. Blood was collected from patients with minor injuries using the flask. It was then administered to those in need, after establishing their blood type. Citrated blood was introduced by the Americans in 1917. This allowed blood administration to be delayed for up to two hours but there were many problems with transport, storage and infection in these early experimental days.Round, clear glass bottle with white [discoloured] paper label, with red printed, and metal screw-top lid.Handwritten on white [discoloured] paper label: Phillip HARRIS Moulded into the top of the screw-top lid in red ink: RED CROSS BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICEblood transfusion, red cross, world war one -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Equipment - Drip tube
The Soulevac sterile glass drip tube was used for blood transfusions.Clear glass bulb with rubber caps at each end and blue manufacturer's information stamped onto bulb. Drip tube is housed in original packaging.blood transfusion, world war i, first world war -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Equipment - Cylinder, Oxygen
In Australia, the wholesale druggists Fenton, Grimwade and Company, established in 1876, were producing small quantities of oxygen for medical and industrial purposes(11,11). In 1910, they produced a booklet promoting the therapeutic use of oxygen, suggesting it's use in pulmonary and cardiac affections, asphyxia, and morphine poisoning(9). Eventually, oxygen was to play a more significant role in medicine following two significant events. In 1895, Karl Von Linde succeeded in liquefying air, and then fractionally distilling its individual components, including oxygen. This new technique for the production of oxygen from air was revolutionary, but large demand for it did not develop in the wider community until Claude and Hess managed to compress acetylene into cylinders safely in 1897, keeping the highly explosive fuel stable by dissolving it in acetone. By 1900, the oxy-acetylene welding technique was born, and the demand for oxygen for industrial purposes accelerated worldwide. In Australia, Russell Grimwade, working for his father's company, ordered the first oxygen plant to be built in Australia in 1910. (George Kantianis, 2013)Medium sized black coloured cylinder with rounded base once containing oxygen with a large black on white diamond shaped manufacturer's label adhered to the front. Much of the label has been degraded with missing bits, and rust stains.Printed on to manufacturer's label: OFFICIALLY PREPARED FOR MED? / AUSTOX [in logo] / COMPRESSED / OXYGEN / CONTENTS / 33 [handwritten in pencil] Imperial Gallons / KEEP COOL / Australiand Oxygen and Industrial ? / Pty. Ltd. / MELBOURNEoxygen, cylinder, therapeutic, russell grimwade -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Equipment - Bird Respirator Mark 7A with C.I.G. 'Ventviva' ventilator
The Bird ventilator Mark 7 is driven by medical compressed air or oxygen. It is not suited for anaesthesia unless using a special anaesthesia assistor controller attachment, which is essentially a “bag in a bottle” device.Apparatus attached to four castor stand with attached white wall connecting tubing.anaesthesia attachment, bag in a bottle -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Equipment - Cannula, Transfusion
Doctors trained in blood transfusion were essential to the development of Forward Resuscitation Teams during World War I. In 1918, Dr Alan Holmes a Court and his colleagues established a resuscitation team and, following their remarkable success at the battle of Hamel on July 4, teams were permanently established at each of the five Australian divisions. Each team consisted of one doctor trained in surgery, blood transfusion and resuscitation, another doctor trained in anaesthesia, resuscitation and blood donor classification, and four other assisting staff. This team moved out to the wounded, rather than waiting for them to be stretchered back. They provided on-the-spot, life-saving resuscitation. The wounded were then transported back to the Casualty Clearing Station or Regimental Aid Post for further treatment.A selection of metal cannula of various designs and sizes.blood, transfusion, intravenous, cannula -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Bottle, ACD Solution
Citrated blood was introduced by the Americans in 1917. This allowed blood administration to be delayed for up to two hours but there were many problems with transport, storage and infection in these early experimental days. This bottle contains ACD Solution (Anticoagulant Citrate Dextrose Solution) for ensuring blood doesn't coagulate during storage.Clear glass bottle with white [discoloured] label on the front with red printed text. The bottle contains a yellowish solution. The metal screw-top lid has been covered with brown paper and a black rubber tie is draped around the shoulder of the bottle.anticoagulant, citrate, dextrose, transfusion -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Equipment - Cylinder, Medical Compressed Air
Early cylinders were coloured as their maker saw fit, usually black, perhaps with a white top for oxygen. The Americans first achieved standardisation, but other countries do not follow American Standards. Australia follows the colour-scheme of the British Oxygen Corporation. The body is coloured individually for each gas, viz: compressed air, grey; carbon dioxide, brown; oxygen, black; nitrous oxygen, blue’ cyclopropane, primrose-yellow’ ethylene, mauve. Panels of other colours may appear on the body, but indicate technical points of cylinder-design and do not concern the anaesthetist. (Penn catalogue entry)Empty small pale green painted cylinder with rounded base and attached outflow valve with circular 'On-Off' knob.Handwritten in red paint across the main body of the cylinder: ST. VINCENTS 32510 Printed on manufacturer's label: 'KEEP CYLINDER COOL / CIG [logo] / MADE IN AUSTRALIA / MEDICAL AIR COMPRESSED / DO NOT ALLOW OIL OR GREASE ON VALVE / OPEN VALVE SLOWLY CLOSE AFTER USEcompressed air, cylinder, colour standardisation -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Syringe, 1853
Charles Gabriel Pravaz (1791-1853) was a French orthopedic surgeon and inventor of the hypodermic syringe. In 1844, Irish physician Francis Rynd (1811-1861) invented the hollow needle. In 1853, French physician Charles Pravaz developed the first practical metal syringe. Pravaz added a fine, hollow needle to the end of his syringe instead of the tube. This was an important innovation. Yet in the pre-antiseptic era it was a mixed blessing. The use of injections rather than oral drug administration can more readily promote the spread of disease as well as facilitating its cure. An understanding of the germ theory of disease - and the cardinal importance of using sterile needles - awaited the discoveries of Lister, Pasteur and Koch. But intravenous injection allows extremely rapid pain-relief - and the induction of general anaesthesia when suitable agents were developed.Small ornate metal syringe with raised ridge at either end and in the middle. Tapers to a point at the distal end with pencil like extrusion. Finger ring at the proximal end.pravaz, intravenous, hyperdermic, subcutaneous, syringe, needle -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Bottle
Geoffrey Kaye gave this jar of Essence of Limes to Dr John Paull in 1982 after describing the preparation of a drink he called "White Lightning" or "White Mule". The drink comprised absolute alcohol and a dash of the essence of limes and is mentioned in Marginson's account of the art treasures of Melbourne University as being shared with Geoffrey by him and Professor R. D. Wright when they were negotiating about the creation of a piece of sculpture for the University grounds. Small clear glass bottle with white metal screw top lid and white label with handwritten text. There is a small amount of yellow/brown liquid in the bottleHandwritten in blue ink on white label adhered to bottle: ESSENCE OF LIMES / G. TRUMPER, / 9 CURZON ST, / LONDON, W.1kaye, geoffrey, trumper, g, london, essence of limes -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Ormsby's Inhaler, 1877
Lambert Ormsby was a New Zealand surgeon who migrated to Ireland. He described his inhaler in a letter to the Lancet in 1877.Ormsby listed the advantages of his inhaler as simple, inexpensive, small quantity required to produce sleep, prevents evaporation of ether, portable and small (can be carried in pocket), short time to complete anaesthesia (two minutes) and safe. Disadvantages of this apparatus were that it had to be removed in order to recharge the sponge with ether or when anaesthesia becomes too deep. Considerable carbon dioxide accumulation developed and there would also be some oxygen lack. In thirty years of use, Ormsby's Inhaler underwent certain modifications, an exhalation valve was fitted to the mask and device for recharging the sponge with ether was later added. The Ormsby inhaler was modified by Carter Braine in 1898 with the aim of making it easier to clean. Essentially it is very similar except there is no net around the bag.The inhaler consists of an india-rubber flexible bag enclosed within a net bag to limit expansion. There is a soft metallic mouthpiece with india-rubber tubing around the edge. The tubing had to be purchased separately from the manufacturer. The body contains a wire cage with a similarly shaped hollow sponge into which ether was poured.Maker's details inscribed into metal ring around the bore: Barth Co. London.ormsby, new zealand, carbon dioxide, carbon accumulation, carter braine, portable -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Inhaler, Bruck, 1908
The Bruck Inhaler is a modification of the Clover Inhaler, designed by Lambert Bruck. Bruck added a glass dome which enabled the level of ether to be monitored during administration. This was a revolutionary change as it removed guess work from the process.The Bruck Inhaler is a historically, aesthetically and scientifically significant piece. The basic design is based on the Clover Inhaler, but with a rounded bottom. The idea of a glass viewing window was possibly inspired by Wilson-Smith Inhaler. The Bruck Inhaler is historically significant as it is the first inhaler to be made with a completely clear lower glass section. This improved the usability for the ether administrator, and eliminated much of the guesswork associated with dosage and ether levels, which in turn improved the patient experience. This piece provides a strong local link to both anaesthetic and general medical practice at the turn of the century. The design is credited to Ludwig Bruck of Sydney, and was presumably manufactured in the same area. Bruck, as the attributed designer, holds much relevance to the significance of the object, as connected with him is much historical information about the social context of medical practice. Ludwig Bruck was a prominent figure in the medical industry. He started his medical career in Sydney as a Medical Transfer Agent, and later owned a shop at 16 Castlereagh Street, Sydney. This business is listed in the 1903 Register of Firms as a Medical Agent and Importer of Medical Instruments and Books. Bruck was vocal as a journalist and published analyses of medical statistics, as well as the well known Australasian Medical Dictionary and Handbook, which included the “List of Unregistered Medical Practitioners”. Ludwig Bruck was an immigrant. He was of German descent, which placed him in a precarious position within Sydney society during the turn of century. Bruck conducted several public conversations with prominent members of the Australian Natives Association through the Sunday News in regards to his disagreement of the employment of medical practitioners by the ANA specifically to corroborate their health insurance policies. He was also a stalwart supporter of the Australian arm of the British Medical Association, being the publisher of the first and subsequent editions of The Australian Medical Gazette. Bruck chose to end his life with a combination of poison and chloroform on 14 August 1915, after being accused of trading with the enemy during World War One. His suicide note stated his horror at leaving his business partner to deal with the tarring of his reputation as the reason for his decision. The Bruck Inhaler has aesthetic significance as it is a beautiful example of turn of the century surgical design and craftsmanship. Aseptic methods of surgery were well known by 1909, and the aesthetic design of the Bruck Inhaler conformed to these principles. The ability for the surgeon to unscrew, clean and sterilize each part of the Inhaler contributes to the streamlined design of the piece. The Buck Inhaler holds scientific significance. There is the capacity for further research to be undertaken on the object. Geoffrey Kaye often collected multiple examples of equipment, usually one for reverse engineering and another for teaching. There are currently two examples of the Bruck Inhaler in the collection, presenting an opportunity for further technical research on the object. The inhaler is oval shaped with one half made of glass to allow observation of the ether level. A vertical cross tube, 22mm in diameter passes between the face-piece and the bag [missing]. There is a stopcock for admission of oxygen or nitrous oxide opposite the bag attachment. There is a central tube, 28mm in diameter, with controllable ports on either side. There is also a tear-drop shaped fask mask.Hand engraved on side of base: L. Bruck / Sydneyclover, joseph, bruck, lambert, inhaler, rebreather, nitrous oxide, oxygen, williams, probyn -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Inhaler, Bruck
The Bruck Inhaler is a modification of the Clover Inhaler, designed by Lambert Bruck. Bruck added a glass dome which enabled the level of ether to be monitored during administration. This was a revolutionary change as it removed guess work from the process.The inhaler is oval shaped with two halves. One half should be made of glass [missing] to allow observation of the ether level. A vertical cross tube, 22mm in diameter passes between the face-piece and the bag [broken]. There is a stopcock for admission of oxygen or nitrous oxide opposite the bag attachment. There is a central tube, 28mm in diameter, with controllable ports on either side.The Bruck Inhaler is a modification of the Clover Inhaler, designed by Ludwig Bruck. Bruck added a glass dome which enabled the level of ether to be monitored during administration. This was a revolutionary change as it removed guess work from the process.joseph clover, lambert bruck, inhaler, rebreather, nitrous oxide, oxygen, probyn williams, hewitt -
Geoffrey Kaye Museum of Anaesthetic History
Book, Catalogue, Garthur (London) Ltd, A Catalogue of Respirators and Allied Equipment
Undated catalogue outlining a range of respirators available through Garthur (London) Ltd.Pale blue [discoloured] cardboard covered book with blue pages printed in black ink, bound by a staple through the spine.Handwritten in blue ink on front cover: P. Penn