Historical information

Sidney Yankauer, M.D. (1872-1932), an ear, nose and throat specialist and pioneer in bronchoscopy, practiced at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Dr. Yankauer, a prolific inventor of medical equipment, might best be known for the tube he designed for suctioning the mouth and throat. Yankauer introduced the wire-mesh anaesthesia mask around 1904. The drop method involved placing the mask over the patient’s nose and mouth, and then placing gauze over the mesh of the mask. Next, liquid anaesthetic, such as ether or chloroform, was applied in drops or lightly poured onto the gauze so that the patient breathed in evaporated anesthetic as well as air. The gutter around the base of the mask was designed to catch any residue of the harmful anaesthetic. (The Wood Library Museum, 2016; Museum of Healthcare Kingston, 2016)

Physical description

A metal tear-shaped mask with gauze wire dome, gutter around the base and detachable spring piece with open circular handle to secure cloth over gauze. Found inside medical carry box #899

Inscriptions & markings

Stamped underneath neck of circular handle: HATRICK