Dr Geoffrey Kaye worked as an adviser to the Director-General of Medical Services, Australian Infantry Forces during the inter-war years. During this time he developed an ether vapouriser specifically for the Army. This is the prototype designed and made by Dr Kaye during 1939.Round metal tray with round ether apparatus inside consisting of an ether sight glass indicator, oxygen bypass, control tap and trap bottle. There are three rubber hoses, two red and one black. geoffrey kaye, vapouriser, royal army medical corps, ether, endotracheal, prototype, blowover, world war ii, wwii, ww2

This Cresolene vapouriser is an "American" product when "home" based remedial products were of a high demand due to lack of specialised medical facilities such as a hospital in rural communities. "An apparatus for reducing medicated liquids to a state of vapor suitable for inhalation or application to accessible mucous membrane A device for volatising liquid anesthetics." The only criteria used by Health authorities in the decision to provide a community with hospitals was and still is the size of the population it feeds. The introduction of the SEC Victorian Hydro Electricity Scheme started in the 1940's, was the impetus for health planners to build a hospital in the Kiewa Valley. Rural regions especially those considered semi or fully remote locations had to rely on farm based remedial health "alternative medical treatment". This product is such a remedy.This vapouriser is very significant to a rural area such as the Kiewa Valley as it demonstrates the "home" remedies that were available to rural communities such as the cattle and sheep stations before the Kiewa Valley had a hospital(1949). The influx of workers employed by the SEC Vic. Hydro Electricity Scheme(circa 1940's onward) changed dramatically the need for a hospital and specialised medical treatment. The reliance of "health products" such as this vaporiser were still in high demand especially when on the box of this product was printed "Guaranteed under the Food and Drugs Act, June 30, 1906, Serial no. 436". Also on the packaging is printed "A remedy Whooping Cough also Asthma, Catarrh, Colds Diptheria, Croup, Coughs Hay Fever, Sore Throat, Influenza, Etc." An additional benefit of this product "Is obnoxious to Moths, Flies, Mosquitos, Ants, Cock Roaches, Hen Lice, and other Troublesome insects." This advertising is dated before a tightening in the "advertising" legislation of post mid 1900's. However it was a good attraction for rural communities wanting relief of "rural" pests. This vaporiser stand with its cradle and dish is made from cast iron (stand) and tin (dish). At the bottom of the "dish" is a flame diffusion port with eight heat directional holes. The stand upright is painted gold in colour.See KVHS 0342 (B) for markings and advertising material printed on the box which contains this item.home based vaporisers, first aid, home nursing, over-the-counter medicines