Ethyl chloride was first used as a general anaesthetic in 1847, by Johann Ferdinand Heyfelder (1798-1869), a German surgeon. Once ethyl chloride became readily available, it was again taken up as a general anaesthetic in the late 1890s (USA). Ethyl chloride evaporates very quickly so that when it is sprayed onto the skin it produces very cold temperatures. “Refrigeration anesthesia”, or cryoanesthesia, refers to the anesthesia produced when the skin is significantly cooled.Due to its rapid onset, ethyl chloride was often used to induce general anaesthesia. It would be followed by a second anaesthetic, such as ether or nitrous oxide, which would be used for the remainder of the procedure. (The Wood Library Museum, 2016) The bottle has clear side and base mould seams which indicate it was made using a cup bottom mould.Glass bottle with paper label, metal fastening at the top and cream coloured plastic sealant at the neck. The bottle has clear side and base mould seams which indicate it was made using a cup bottom mould.Printed on main label at front: 100 c.c. 3 1/2 fl. ozs. / MEDICINAL CHEMICALS CORP [illegible] / MEDCO / ETHYL CHLORIDE / PURE / This Product conforms to all the re-/quirements of the BRITISH PHARMA-/COPCEIA, 1932, for / GENERAL ANAESTHESIA / Manufactured by / MEDICINAL CHEMICALS CORPORATION PTY. LIMITED / 39 Martin Place, Sydney Printed on round label on reverse side: 6d. / Cred [illegible]this container if returned in good order and condition. Stamped into underside of bottle: CM / S99ethyl chloride, medco, medicinal chemicals corporation pty. ltd, dr [e.s] holloway, bottle

Chloroethane, commonly known by its old name ethyl chloride, is a chemical compound with chemical formula CH3CH2Cl, once widely used in producing tetraethyllead, a gasoline additive. It is a colorless, flammable gas or refrigerated liquid with a faintly sweet odor. Originally, it was proposed as a general anaesthetic, filling the gap between the weaker narcotic nitrous oxide and the more powerful drugs ether and chloroform. 8670.1 - Dark blue cardboard lid. 8670.2 - Dark Blue cardboard box. 8670.3 - Cotton ball padding. 8670.4 - Semi circle cardboard. 8670.5 - Small rectangular boxes (2) placed either side of the top of the cylinder. 8670.6 - Glass cylinder with metal fitting. 8670.7 - Paper label on cylinder.- 100 c.c./- MEDCO./- 3 1/2 fl. oz./- ETHYL CHLORIDE./- Pure./- This conforms to all the requirements of the BRITISH PHARMACOPOEIA. 1932./- LOCAL ANAESTHESIA/- MEDICINAL CHEMICALS CORPOATION LIMITED. SYDNEY.