A rare early 20th Century Bennett’s portable anaesthetic inhaler. The central body of the inhaler is filled with an absorbent cotton into which the ether or anaesthetic agent would be poured.

The screw on cap would then be replaced. The agent was then administered to the patient by holding the nasal prongs (the tips of which are made from some form of gutta percha) to the nares. Later versions were made from all metal.

• From the Phisick collection