Museum of Medicine
School of Medicine, University of Crete

Exhibits / First anesthesia apparatus

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Sir Frederick William Hewitt (1857-1916), a well-known English anesthesiologist, designed the large-hole ether inhaler in 1901, which can be refilled with ether while in use. The mask of the apparatus is attached in place so that it does not detach unexpectedly. Most importantly, the device receives a larger volume of air, making it easier for the patient to breathe.

Hewitt Inhaler for ether inhalation anesthesia and Yankauer-type face mask for chloroform administration
Yankauer-type wire visor fitting on the contour of the face. Τhe mask is placed over the patient's nose and mouth and a gauze is spread over the wire mesh and fastened to its position with a second mesh. In order for the patient to be anaesthetized, the anaesthetic substance is poured in drops slowly onto the gauze, so that the patient breathes the anaesthetic along with the air. This type of visor is sometimes used today for ether anaesthesia in developing countries when there are no other means. The American otolaryngologist Sidney Yankauer (1872-1932) presented the anesthesia mask in 1904.


The Hewitt Inhaler device
The documentation material is courtesy of Eleni Askitopoulou, Emeritus Professor of Anesthesiology

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Visit & accessibility policy: The Museum's premises are open to the public on working days 10am-2pm and during events. Entrance is free of charge. The Museum is housed in the Medical School of the University of Crete at the Vouton Campus. Visits by schools or organised groups of excursionists must be booked in advance. The Museum has a 30-seat lecture hall which can be used for events related to the subject of the Museum.

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School of Medicine
University of Crete
2208 ΤΚ 71003
Voutes, Heraklion Crete, GR