Historical information

Dr. Joseph Clover (1825-1882), an English physician, first described his Portable Regulating Ether Inhaler on Jan. 20, 1877. Clover was an especially sought after anesthesiologist and early pioneer in the specialty. This was the best-known of many inhalers that Clover designed. The dome-shaped reservoir was turned to points on a control dial to gradually increase or decrease the percentage of the air that passed over the ether. Several inventors based new inhalers on this, while the original continued to be manufactured as late as the beginning of WWII. (Source: Wood Library Museum)

Physical description

Black round topped box with brass hooks at front and brass hinges at rear. There is a black fabric handle on the top. Inside the box is black padding with the manufacturer's logo printed in gold leaf. There is a square section in the base of the box for holding the square clear glass bottle for ether. There is also a dome-shaped metal inhaler with a "whistle tip" type connection to the mask. The mask is made of tan leather. There is also a metal ether measure for pouring the ether.

Inscriptions & markings

Printed in gold leaf inside lid of box: MAYER & MELTZER [?] PORTLAND ST. / MAKERS
•Engraved on side of inhaler: Mayer & Meltzer / London
•Stamped on connector of inhaler: MAYER & MELTZER RN NO 212327
•Engraved on rear of inhaler: Clover's Inhaler
•Printed in white on blue sticker: O.2.5A
•Measurements have been stamped on the bottom of the inhaler.
•Printed in black ink on mask: MADE IN ENGLAND
•Stamped on metal connector inside mask: 6
•Printed in black ink on white manufacturer's label on glass bottle: ETHER PURUS '720 / H. Francis & Co., Melbourne.