Name/TitleEquipment: "Midget" Anaesthetic Apparatus

About this objectUsed in Adelaide during the 1960s and 1970s as a portable machine which could be readily transported between Hospitals and Dental Rooms.

Commonwealth Industrial Gases Ltd began producing these machines circe 1955. They were popular with anaesthetists in South Australia throughout the 1960s. At this time, apart from the teaching hospitals, anaesthetic machines and equipment were not provided in the operating theatres and anaethetists had to carry their own equipment with them as they moved from hospital to hospital. This included not only anaesthetic machines but also oxygen and nitrous oxide cylinders, syringes, needles and drugs. As more and more hospitals were persuaded to equip their theatres for the anaesthetist, the portables became obsolete.

Made by Commonwealth Industrial Gases (CIG) Ltd, Melbourne.

Date Made1940-1960

Place MadeMelbourne, Australia

Medium and Materialswood, glass, metal, rubber

MeasurementsH 33cm x W 45cm x D 22cm

CollectionThe Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Object TypeEquipment

Object numberAR#9005