This is a recent example of a Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA). The LMA was invented in 1983 by British anaesthetist, Archie Brain. The LMA revolutionised anaesthetic practice and by 1995 had been used in excess of 100 million patients and was available in more than 80 countries throughout the world. Green transparent plastic tube connected to a laryngeal maskPrinted in black ink on green plastic tubing: Ambularyngeal mask, brain, archie, airway, ambu

This is an early example of an endotracheal tube (c.1932) 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. Orange/brown rubber tubing with a bevelled edge at one end a safety pin stuck through the other end. This tube was used for nasal endotracheal intubation.Printed in black ink on tube: NO. 5 NASAL A. CHARLES KING LTD. MAGILL'S TUBE 27 / BRITISH MADEmagill, endotracheal, intubation, nasal, a. charles king ltd, england

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

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

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

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

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

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

This object dates back to 1925 and was sectioned by Dr Geoffrey Kaye in 1938. Flowmeters were attached to an anaesthetic machine to measure the flow rate of gas or liquid.Metal cylinder with glass inner chamber and gauge inside. The object has been sectioned for teaching purposes.Manufacturer's marks and instructions on the top screw valve state, K/38, Screw Lightly, Oxygen Fine. Direct Ox. is inscribed on the back of the top valve. G.Kaye fecit. 1938 is inscribed in handwriting on the top of the flowmeter tube. flowmeter, water depression, gas, sectioned, slight feed, anaesthetic machine

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

Introduced by Bayer in 1963, Propanidid is an ultra short-acting general anaesthetic. It was withdrawn because of anaphylactic reactions.Set of three clear glass ampoules with product details printed in red ink. There is a clear liquid retained inside each of the ampoules.Printed in red ink: Eponotol / 0,5g Propanidid / in 10ml inj. sol.propanidid, anaesthetic, anaphylaxis, bayer

Thiopentone was known as Hypnotic 8064 prior to its release onto the market. Thiopentone became popular during the inter-war years as a fast acting, short duration anaesthetic. It is used less frequently now as propofol is more popular. Also known as Pentothal sodium.Thiopentone has also been embroiled in controversy since being linked to deaths following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.Large clear glass ampoule containing powdered Hypnotic 8064. A small white label (now discoloured) with typed information is stuck on to the ampoule.Typed on label: HYPNOTIC 8064thiopentone, propofol, pearl harbor, short duraction, fast acting

This multi-purpose kit contains drugs for resuscitation, sedation and local anaesthetic. It could also assist in the delivery of a baby. The kit holds a selection of pharmaceuticals that would most likely have been used by a general practitioner anywhere between the 1950s and 1980s.Square cardboard box containing 100 separate ampoules of pharmaceuticals. Each ampoule is held in place by a cardboard cover with a round cut-out to match the ampoule. There are ten rows of ten.Handwritten in blue ink on side of box: OCTAPRESSIN Handwritten in blue ink on top of box: 5 units / 100mls saline Handwritten in blue ink on side of box: OCTAPRESSIN / PLV2 Stamped in black ink on manufacturer's label on side of box: Physician's Sample / not for sale / Batch 62 164mestinon, chlorpheniramine maleate, lobeline-hydrochloride b.p.c., adrenalin tartrate, isuprel hcl, vandid, alupent, plv2, ephedrine hydrochloride, atropine sulphate, metaraminol, pituitrin, ergometrine maleate, procaine, largactil chlorpromaz, roche, glaxo-allenburys, boots, boehringer & ingelheim

Cocaine was the first topical anaesthetic. It quickly numbs the area after application. Synthetic drugs provide better local anaesthesia without negative side-effects of cocaine. It is now only used for nasal surgery to prevent bleeding.Small clear glass vial with cork stopper and discoloured [white] manufacturer's label with black printing. There is a small amount of white powder in the vial, presumably hydrochloride of cocaine as per label.Black print on manufacturer's label: Hydrochloride of Cocaine / POISON / T. MORSON & SON / London Englandlocal anaesthetic, hypnotic, cocaine, sedative, morson & son, london

Novocaine is a local anaesthetic for dentistry. Its first known use was 1906. Square brown glass bottle with round neck and organ rubber stopper. A strand of wire has been wound around the stopper. A discoloured white manufacturer's label is stuck to the front of the bottle with black and red printed text. There is approximately half the liquid remaining in the bottle. Moulded into the bottom of the bottle: J282novocaine, drug, liquid, the saccharin corporation ltd, london, melbourne, j.l. brown & co, local anaesthetic

The glass phial contained liquid ethyl chloride, little pressure being required to liquefy the gas at room temperature. By directing the nozzle downwards at the skin or mucous membrane to be analgesed, a stream of liquid squirts out, vaporising on contact, thus producing transient local temperatures of approximately -10 qc. Ether's unpleasant smell agitated patients. Ethyl chloride's pleasant odour reduced agitation. It could be used for induction and worked quickly without irritating respiratory passages. Ethyl chloride spray could also be used as a local anaesthetic. Faded rectangular burgundy box containing a glass phial with metal and rubber lid that forms a spray nozzle. The lid of the box had a mustard coloured manufacturer's label wtih burgundy writing. The phial has a discoloured white label with red writing and a blue label with white writing.Printed in white ink on blue label: IMPORTANT / NOT DESTROY THIS TUBE, IT CAN / BE REFILLED FOR / 2/10bengue & co. ltd., london, ethyl chloride, 1900, local anaesthesia

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

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)

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

This Boyle’s machine was made by the British Oxygen Company (BOC) in the 1950’s. The original Boyle's machine was invented by the British anaesthetist, Henry Boyle in 1917. His machine was a modification of the American Gwathmey apparatus of 1912, and became the best known early continuous flow anaesthetic machine. The Boyle’s machine was first made by Coxeter and Sons, under the direction of Lord George Wellesly, which was later acquired by the British Oxygen Company (BOC). Though a lot of changes have been made to the original design of the Boyle’s machine, the basic structure remains the same today.Green trolley on casters with flowmeter and vaporiser bottles attached to a stainless cross bar. There is a glass shelf at top of the trolley and a second glass shelf at base of trolley, above a pull out drawer. The pull out drawer contains 4 x black rubber masks, 3 x black rubber tubing connectors, 4 x seals, 1 a black corrugated rubber hose with red rebreather bag, red tube and masonite support board.Tin plate attached to upper portion of trolley: THE / BOYLE / apparatus / BY THE BRITISH OXYGEN CO. LTD.henry boyle, anaesthetic machine, gas, oxygen, flowmeter, nitrous oxide, british oxygen company, boc, coxeter and sons

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

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

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

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

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

Picrotoxin is a bitter crystalline compound derived from the seed of an East Indian woody vine (Anamirta cocculus). It is a central nervous system and respiratory stimulant formerly used in barbiturate and other anaesthetic poisonings. Hexagon shaped amber glass bottle with red rubber stopper. There is an ivory coloured manufacturer's label with black printed text adhered to the front of the bottle, along with some handwritten notations. The bottle has powdery contents.Handwritten on manufacturer's label: PURE FIRST USED 8/10/64 •Moulded into base of bottle: T195respitaroty stimulalnt, t and h smith, barbiturate poisoning, edinburgh, blandfield chemical works

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

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

Dr James (Jim) Villiers went to Vietnam as an anaesthetist with the Australian Surgical Team (civilian) during 1963. He used this bag for carry-on luggage. Despite assurances about the quality of resources available on arrival, he carried an essential part of the breathing circuit for an EMO vaporiser in his carry-on. The actual vaporiser was packed in his check-in luggage. In 1963 the Vietnamese government sought training in Australia in anaesthetics for several medical technicians. Australia was not able to meet the request as anaesthesia training in Australia is restricted to qualified doctors. Instead, the Dean of the Faculty of Anaesthetists at RACS suggested sending a team of anaesthetists to Vietnam to conduct training for technicians there. However, they requested a preliminary survey be undertaken in order to determine the abilities of the prospective trainees and establish contacts with medical authorities in Vietnam. James (Jim) Villiers was one of the people who undertook the survey and made a report. Training of Vietnamese medical technicians was undertaken using the Epstein MacIntosh Oxford Anaesthetic Apparatus (EMO). This equipment was robust, portable and relatively cheap, there are few moving parts for servicing, it requires only ether and air for operation.Brick-red vinyl bag with white Qantas branding including the flying kangaroo printed on both sides. The bag has a zipper opening and contains an anaesthetic apparatus mounted on a piece of wooden particle board. There are two black hoses, a white hose, a black plastic connector, a metal t-bar connect, a green resuscitation bag and black face mask.james villiers, malignant hyperthermia, vietnam, qantas, australian surgical team, long xuyen, bien hoa, anaesthesia training

The Epstein, Macintosh, Oxford vaporizer (EMO) was designed in 1952 by Dr H. G. Epstein and Sir Robert Macintosh of the Nuffield Department of Anaesthetics at the University of Oxford, with the aid of their technician, Mr Richard Salt. It was essentially a refinement of their earlier Oxford vaporizer and designed specifically to deliver ether in known concentrations, irrespective of the temperature of the ether. Robert Macintosh was born at Timaru New Zealand in 1897. In December 1915 he travelled to Britain and was commissioned in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, soon transferring to the Royal Flying Corps. He was shot down behind enemy lines on 26 May 1917 and taken prisoner, escaping several times. When the war ended he returned to medical school and qualified in 1924 as MRCS LRCP. Macintosh's initial intention was to be a surgeon, but soon after qualifying he developed an interest in the field of anaesthesia. Macintosh became the first professor of anaesthetics at Oxford although the university was at first against the appointment. He recruited the scientists Dr Kurt Mendelssohn and Dr H G Epstein and together they designed and built the Oxford vaporiser, a simple, portable, and accurate means of delivering varying concentrations of ether which was to see service in the second world war. He was knighted in 1955 and died at Oxford in 1989.The apparatus is a round, barrel style object with three small rubber feet and a moulded handle over the top. It consists of a vaporising chamber, wick, ether level indicator, temperature compensating value, air bypass chamber and mixing chamber. Manufacturer's label on reverse: EMO, Longworth Scientific Inst. Co. Ltd. England. Serial No. 5878macintosh, epstein, oxford, vaporiser, nuffield, ether