Authors
Ronald Lo
Topics
Airway Management and Intubation TechniquesIn a previous article in this section in 2014, I discussed the use of the Schimmelbusch mask in administering volatile anaesthetics, including ether. 1 Another piece of anaesthetic apparatus in relation to ether anaesthesia that can be found in the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences is the Epstein-Macintosh-Oxford inhaler (also known as the EMO anaesthetic apparatus or simply as EMO) [ Fig 1]. It was donated by Queen Mary Hospital to the Museum in 1998.Ether was a popular anaesthetic agent both before and after the Second World War of 1939 to 1946. After ether was introduced to anaesthetic practice in 1846, various pieces of apparatus were designed for vaporising ether to be administered to patients. One reason that this agent was popular was its volatility, which allowed a wide range of clinical concentrations to be achieved easily.Early devices for the administration of volatile anaesthetics, such as the Schimmelbusch mask, were challenging to use and required experience and skill of the anaesthetist. This was mainly due to the difficulty in controlling the concentration of the vapour being administered. In the case of ether, it was exacerbated by the cooling of the liquid ether on vaporisation, changing its volatility and hence the concentration delivered to the patient.
About
PublishedAug 16, 2020
TypeArticle
Citations1
References6