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Pipe of peace and Maxim inhaler

Manufactured by Sir Hiram Maxim, 1909–10

Cardboard, paper, glass, sponge

2008.2

Sir Hiram Maxim (1840–1916), inventor of the Maxim machine gun, designed this inhaler to help relieve his symptoms of acute bronchitis.

The glass inhalers hold material infused with either menthol or ‘Dirigo’. Soothing vapours from the water-warmed ‘menthol and evergreen essence’ could be inhaled directly into the back of the throat via the long necks of the glass inhalers.

View catalogue entry for Maxim inhaler

Part of the exhibition Unfamiliar.

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