Dr. Ferdinand Hasbrouck, 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.