This is a wonderful illustration of the lungs and heart from the premier medical illustrated text of the nineteenth century.

Empyemia (or fluid in the chest) from tuberculosis or pneumonia was easily removed by this type of instrument.

John Mudge was was an 18th century British physician who made the first inhaler from a beer tankard. When the discovery of ether anesthesia was made in Boston his "Mudge inhaler" was used for its application in the operating room.

American Indians were the first to use tobacco in the form of snuff and Christopher Columbus introduced it to Europe with his second voyage that ended in 1496. Tobacco use reached its zenith in the United States in the middle part of the twentieth century. There was no recognition of any danger in smoking by manufacturers who were anxious to demonstrate the safety of their products,

Some companies ironically advertised medicated cigarettes for asthma.

medicated cigarettes for asthma by Asthmador

Tobacco companies addressed the rising public concern over the potential health risks of smoking by introducing filtered cigarettes in the 1950’s. Unfortunately for the P. Lorillard Company (and for many employees and smokers), the thirteen billion Kent filtered cigarettes they produced between 1952 and 1957 contained crocidolite asbestos fibers. Thirty percent of each micronite filter manufactured for “extra protection” ironically contained a very carcinogenic material that could produce mesothelioma, a difficult to treat tumor of the lining of the lungs.

Manufacturers still market similar products to treat the addiction of smoking. This product also supposedly cured impotence.

Prior to recognition of the association of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, asbestos was commonly advertised and used.