Replica of original glass ether inhaler used by Dr William Russ Pugh in Launceston in 1847. William Russ Pugh is credited with being the first person in Australia to administer ether as anaesthesia. Pugh created his own ether inhaler based on a report in the London Illustrated News, dated January 1847. The paper reached Pugh in May and by June he had already designed, made and used the ether inhaler. On 7 June 1847 he performed two surgeries using anaesthesia. He also had a journalist present to record the event.The main container comprises an inverted funnel shaped glass jar that is connected to the top glass globe via an etched glass valve. Sea sponges are located within the glass vessel and the woven cloth tube is connected to the base of the glass container. inhaler, anaesthesia, william russ pugh, replica, glass, sea sponge, ether, launceston, illustrated london news, lady howden, dr john belisario, dr gwen wilson

This inhaler appears to be a modification of the original Rendle's inhaler, developed in 1867 by Richard Rendle for use with bichloride of methylene. Rendle's original design was criticised as there was no clear way to regulate the dosage of anaesthetic and it was difficult to clean. Nevertheless, the inhaler was available until 1915. Richard Rendle was the second son of William Rendle (qv), Medical Officer of Health for St George the Martyr, Southwark, London, SE, of whom there is an account in the Dictionary of National Biography. Richard Rendle studied at Guy's Hospital, where he held the posts of House Surgeon, Surgical Registrar, and Demonstrator of Anatomy. He was afterwards House Surgeon at the Seamen's Hospital, Greenwich, and at the Waterloo Road Royal Infirmary for Women and Children, and then Resident Medical Officer at the Brompton Consumption Hospital. Resigning that post, he was put in medical charge of an emigrant ship to Australia, where he remained. He held several posts there: Resident Medical Officer of the Government Hospital, Fremantle; Medical Officer of the Lying-in Hospital and Hospital for Children; also Health Officer at Brisbane. In later years he practised at Taringa, near Brisbane, and died at Taringa, Queensland, on Aug 10th, 1907. The mask for the administration of bichloride of methylene was named after him in the instrument-makers' catalogues. (Source: RCS England, Plarr's Lives of the Fellows)Leather inhalational face mask in a cone shape covered with red flannel on the outside natural coloured linen lining the inside. There is a natural sea sponge inside the cone. A perferated ring sits at the top of the cone, surrounding a circular opening which is formed from metal. There is also a circular opening on the side.richard rendle, bichloride of methylene, guy's hospital, taringa

Board displaying 22 items. Items appear to be related to rescue and may belong together in a kit. Items are canvas, line and floatable, torch, Survival at Sea book (Transport and Communication), Pains-Wessex Flare, 3 1/2 C jug, Seven Oceans Drinking water sachet, plastic bags, Marine Lifesaving rations, whistle, rubber item, table spoon measurement cup, can opener, can of Drinking Water (S-HP Foods LTD), sponge, Emergency Repair kit, two foam cones, pump, Ultraplast elastic adhesive dreessing, Quick WELLS tablets, Fishing tackle, Fluorescent oragne tarp, associated photograph of ten people in a life boat. Many items are screwed onto the board.resuce kit