Historical information

This item was designed by surgeon Paul Herman Martin Sudeck to administer ether and then chloroform anaesthesia. Paul Hermann Martin Sudeck was a German surgeon (28 December 1866 - 28 September 1945). He first described his inhaler in a 1903 article, "Eine neue Aethermaske" (A New Ether Mask).

Physical description

The metal cone shaped mask has moulded features on the proximal end to fit over the patient's mouth. The distal end is rounded and has an area for the absorbent material (in this item, a sponge) through which the anaestheric ether or chloroform was dripped. The side 'arms' would have been used to attach a strap.