Name/TitleEquipment: Marrett Drawover Inhaler

About this objectBlack box with two metal cylinders and connecting lids. Made by CIG (Commonwealth Industrial Gases).

R H Rex Marret, a Consultant Anaethetist at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, designed his simple drawover vaporiser system in 1942. The vaporiser was originally made by A. Charles King Ltd but was later described in the BOC Catalogue of 1958. The entire apparatus was very compact and fitted into a relatively small black box. Marrett himself described it saying "...its very portability for GPs and the services. No gas cylinders are necessary but if the patient was sufficiently ill to require oxygen there would in all probability be some in the theatre of the nursing home or hospital. It's portability is fully realised when a minor operation has to be done in the ward and only a few breaths of air are required to bring the patient back to consciousness thus relieving the strain on the nursing staff". This version of the inhaler has two vaporisers, one for ether and one for trilene.

Date MadeCa 1942

Place MadeMelbourne, Australia

Medium and MaterialsGlass, stainless steel, wire mesh

MeasurementsW 8.5cm x D 26cm x H 19cm

CollectionThe Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Object TypeEquipment

Object numberAR#9001