DR NELSON’s Steam Inhaler 500ML,AvonGreen Wellness Soother for Vocal Cords, Headaches Relief and a Nasal, Sinus Decongestant – Excellent for Treating Chest Infections and Pains, Flu, Colds and Coughs

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Scudamore introduced the findings of his clinical trials of inhalation in respiratory patients as follows: ‘It constitutes a new method of treatment to administer by inhalation those medicinal agents which the science of modern pharmaceutical chemistry has brought to light; and it is my object […] to show that they are capable of exerting a very important and beneficial influence in certain states of pulmonary and bronchial disease’ ( Scudamore, 1830, p 2). As was occasionally the practice at the regular meetings of the RMCS, a certain Dr Nelson presented his prototype for a new therapeutic device which he had designed and developed himself, at the close of business on 28 May 1861. A comparison with various other ‘household’ remedies for asthma and consumption in the second half of the nineteenth century confirms this. Many West End performers have one in their dressing rooms to provide topical hydration to their vocal folds before and after a show. His design replaced the hand-pump of previous nebulizers with two small tubes at right angles to each other, using a small foot-pump and the Bernoulli pressure principle to draw water up through one pipe and generate a spray with the other ( Bergson, 1863, pp 66–67).

By looking at what connects physicians, apothecaries, and patients – the medicines and technologies that were prescribed, made, bought, and which caused wellness, side-effects, and even death – we can develop a narrative of illness as it was experienced by practitioners and patients alike. More inexpensive forms of therapy included smoking stramonium and other substances, but although these provided relief, they were also known to have narcotic side-effects. Boiling water would have been placed in the vessel and the patient would inhale the steam through a mouthpiece to relieve symptoms. Following these early publications, David Hume Nelson seems to have turned his attention to other clinical matters, publishing a series of articles in the British Medical Journal between 1860 and 1863 on ‘ferro-albuminous’ treatments and peptic acids, all of which resulted from a ten-year clinical study in Birmingham into Bright’s disease concluding in 1860 ( Nelson, 1860a; Nelson 1860b). The mouthpiece remained attached to the cork, which would be removed to pour in hot water, and other than soaking the sponge with the medicinal preparation the patient needed to do very little to gain relief.There were also virtually no maintenance issues, other than occasionally replacing the sponge (any sponge would do) and washing out the ceramic pot. This was in part because of safety aspects involved: early versions of the Siegle Inhaler were criticised for their dangerous unreliability. However, Horace Dobell recommends that the water should not exceed 170 degrees when inhalation begins ( Dobell, 1872, p 203), and William Abbotts Smith generally recommends three vapour inhalations per day, with each session lasting between 15 and 20 minutes ( 1869, pp 60–61, p 72). A towel might be placed over the patient's head to enclose the inhaler and concentrate the treatment.

Thanks to the ease in using this item it became a popular home medicine in treating respiratory infections without the need for a physician or expensive equipment.A comparison to the other inhalation devices mentioned in this article shows just how unusual Dr Nelson’s reticence was in this regard; Waldenburg ( 1862), Siegle ( 1864), Dewar (1868), Adams ( 1878), and indeed other physicians like Mackenzie, with his ‘Eclectic Inhaler’ (1880) all advertised their inventions with extensive user manuals and booklets, even if these were aimed either at professional colleagues or were distributed with the devices after they had been purchased. Please note permission must be sought from the Curator for photographs of objects on display for the purposes of commercial or academic publications. Conspicuous for its modesty and simplicity, the Dr Nelson Inhaler was one of the most widely produced, reproduced, and used inhalation devices of the period, a fact which is underlined by the sheer number and different styles of the inhaler present in the Wellcome Medical Collection housed in the Science Museum. The narrow tube provided resistance to inspiration and expiration, and the therapy was designed primarily as a palliative ‘mechanical’ exercise to strengthen the lungs and expand the chest ( Ramadge, 1834, p v). This late Victorian pottery inhaler is in good used condition with some tarnishing to the inside and minor crazing mainly to the base, see pictures.

In this short video Stuart Burke shares with us a few ideas and techniques that will strengthen your voice, keep your voice healthy and improve your confidence when your singing. All images are the property of the British Red Cross Museum and Archives (unless otherwise indicated), and cannot be used without permission. e. steam) to transport medicinal preparations, there was little danger of accidental scalding of this nature with the simple ceramic jug.As pictured and described (except 1 small piece that was missed during packing, which seller was made aware of and is on the look out for). Siegle’s patent officer in London, George Davies, clearly objected to the infringement and stopped Adams from marketing his inhalation device. He then relocated to London where he lived and worked in the area around Regent’s Park, at first in Wimpole Street, then in Nottingham Terrace off York Gate.