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. Dr Geoffrey Kaye sectioned equipment, enabling medical students to see the inner workings and gain insight into the engineering of the equipment.

Physical description

Cross section of Clover's inhaler attached to a circular metal base.

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten on white sticker at rear: P / 26 / B
•White print on blue sticker: O.2.3.
•Engraved on dome side of inhaler: G. Kaye sect. 1939.