Modified Hasbrouck Inhaler
Dr. Ferdinand Hasbrouck (d. 1904), the designer of this inhaler, was part of the medical team that performed secret oral surgery on President Grover Cleveland for cancer on the roof of his mouth in 1893. President Cleveland and his advisors were concerned that public knowledge of his diagnosis might adversely affect the already unstable economy. After careful planning, the surgery was conducted on a yacht under the pretext of a vacation cruise.
Dr. Hasbrouck, a New York dentist, delivered the anesthetic and performed the tooth extractions. Our records indicate that this inhaler was of Hasbrouck’s design, however we do not know by what method he delivered the anesthetic to President Cleveland.
Catalog Record: Modified Hasbrouck Inhaler
Access Key: aika
Accession No.: 1414
Title: [Modified Hasbrouck inhaler / designed by Ferdinand Hasbrouck.]
Author: Hasbrouck, Ferdinand, d. 1904.
Title variation: Alt Title
Title: Hasbrouck’s inhaler.
Publisher: [S.l. : s.n. ; 1875-1903.]
Physical Description: 1 inhaler : tin plated steel? ; 9.5 x 8.5 x 5.5 cm.
Subject: Masks, Anesthesia.
Subject: Anesthesia, Inhalation.
Subject: Inhalers, Anesthesia.
Note Type: General
Notes: Title based on the WLM name for the object.
Note Type: General
Notes: Possible manufacture date range based on short obituary in the August 13
issue of the Medical Record.
Note Type: Citation
Notes: Renehan A, Lowry JC. The oral tumors of two American presidents: what if they
were alive today? J R Soc Med. 1995; 88(7): 377–383.
Note Type: Citation
Notes: Obituary notes: Dr. Ferdinand Hasbrouck. Medical Record. 1904;66(7):263.
Note Type: Physical Description
Notes: The inhaler consists of a small, metal, oronasal mask with a metal tube at
the top (or nasal end); Looking at the inhaler from a patient’s perspective,
the mask is shaped with three rounded (convex) corners: One at the nasal end
and two at the sides of the mouth; From the nasal end to the rounded sides,
the mask is curved concavely; On the outer surface of the mask, on each side,
is a small hook; The mask rounds away from the patient’s face, but flattens
at its most distal area; An opening at the top is welded to a tube, or pipe,
about 4.5 cm long and 1.5 cm in dia.
Note Type: Reproduction
Notes: Photographed by Mr. William Lyle, 7/15/2010.
Note Type: Historical
Notes: Dr. Ferdinand Hasbrouck was part of the medical team that performed secret
oral surgery on President Grover Cleveland for oral cancer in 1893. President
Cleveland was concerned that knowledge of the cancer might adversely affect
the already unstable economy. After careful planning, the surgery was
conducted on a yacht under the pretext of a vacation cruise. Dr. Hasbrouck
delivered the anesthetic and performed the tooth extractions (Renehan, Lowry,
1995). Our records indicate that this inhaler was of Hasbrouck’s design,
however we do not know by what method he delivered anesthetic to President
Cleveland.
