In 1759, the chemist Francois Rouelle discovered ethyl chloride, but it was not produced for scientific studies until after 1801. In 1847, Marie-Jean-Pierre Flourens carried out the first anaesthetic studies on a dog. In 1890 Camille Redard in Geneva used the agent as a local anaesthetic, given its volatility and production of cold. In 1894, H. Carlsson rediscovered the anaesthetic properties of ethyl chloride by inhalation. The agent is a very short-acting anaesthetic and was used both in hospital and domestic practice for tonsillectomy, dental extractions and short surgical procedures.
From 1892, Dr Bengué and the Rhone chemical company consortium saw the discovery of Kélène® by Drs Gilliart, Monnet and Cartier. The Woolwich Elliot chemical company in Sydney, Australia also developed preparations for local anaesthetic use.
Ampoules or bottles of general anaesthetic agent were produced by the Rhone consortium (Kélène®), the American company Squibb, The Belgian Chemical Association (Chlorène®) as well as the Woolwich Elliot Company. These ampoules could be emptied onto a gauze swab or used in a vaporiser. This display shows various anaesthetic devices used for short duration surgical or dental practice.
An anecdote: ethyl chloride was used as a propellent to disperse perfume during the Rio Carnaval for over 70 years but was banned in 1961 due to the unconsciousness it produced!