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

Congo Red Solution was used to test the purity of Avertin before use. Avertin is a rectal anaesthetic that was used heated which could created dibromacetaldehyde and hydrobomic acid, the former being highly corrosive to rectal mucosa. Once this was known it was recommended that the solution should not be heated above body temperature and should be tested with Congo Red prior to use.Brown cardboard box with pink manufacturer's label adhered to front and text printed in black. The box contains an amber coloured bottle with blue wax seal and pink manufacturer's label with black printed text. There is also a clear glass dropper.avertin, dibromacetaldehyde, hydrobomic acid, rectal anaesthesia, rectal mucosa