Anaesthetic mask, 1848, S.N. Dentz Jr., Amsterdam
Inv. V04364

The invention of anaesthetic, also called narcosis, is not that old. The first successful operation under anaesthetic was carried out in 1847. On that occasion chloroform was used. This method was slightly more effective than the ether that had previously also been used as an anaesthetic. Chloroform was used mainly by dentists to alleviate the patient’s pain. For this purpose special anaesthetic masks were invented. One of oldest known anaesthetic masks is that of the Amsterdam dentist Salomon Nathans Dentz Jr. Under the mouth and nose sections are sponges which hold the chloroform. This slowly anaesthetises the patient and keeps him under narcosis. Once the patient is unconscious the flap can be removed from the mouth and the operation can begin.