CHAP. IV.] 



SMEE'S ETHER-INHALER. 



37 



on the body the better is the result for the patient. It is upon this 

 idea that an inhaler has been contrived by Mr. Alfred Smee, surgeon 

 to the Bank of England, whereby the evaporization of 

 ether is promoted by warmth given to the apparatus from 

 a little chamber of hot water. 



Mr. Smee's inhaler, which is here figured, was made 

 by Mr. Ferguson, of Smithfield; and consists of a tin 

 vessel, either circular or oval, about eight inches long 

 and three wide, divided into two compartments one 

 smaller (A), to contain hot water; the other larger (B), 

 to contain the ether. The larger compartment is divided 

 into two by a diaphragm, and has another opening to 

 admit the ether and the entrance of the air (D). Into 

 this larger compartment a tube is fixed, which has a valve 

 at the extremity (E), for inspiration, and another valve (G) 

 near the mouth-piece, for expiration. The mouth-piece 

 (p) has an india-rubber covering, to adapt itself to dif- 

 ferent mouths. 



When this instrument is to be used, the smaller 

 chamber is filled with hot water (c), and a little ether, 

 an ounce for instance, is placed in the larger compart- 

 ment, which has sponge placed in it, to prevent its 

 moving about. On inhalation, the current -of air passes 

 in the direction of the arrows, and is said to produce 

 far more rapid effects than when any other instrument is employed. 



This instrument, with other ingenious arrangements for the inhalation 

 of ether, have been submitted to us by the proprietor of the celebrated 

 Depot for Inventions, 201, Strand. 



FIG. 2. 

 Smee's Ether-inhaler. 



