Ivan Magill

Sir Ivan Whiteside Magill KCVO (23 July 1888 – 25 November 1986) was an Irish-born anaesthetist who is famous for his involvement in much of the innovation and development in modern anaesthesia.

Working with plastic surgeon Harold Gillies, he was responsible for the development of numerous items of anaesthetic equipment but most particularly the single-tube technique of endotracheal anaesthesia.

This was driven by the immense difficulties of administering "standard" anaesthetics such as chloroform and ether to men with severe facial injury using masks; they would cover the operative field.

Doctors can still be awarded the Magill medal for outstanding performance in the December sitting of the Final Fellowship examination.

A curved metal adaptor was designed (Magill oral and nasal connectors) and a 4" black rubber connecting hose to fit to the anesthetic circuit was adapted from an MG car brake hose and named the 'catheter mount' by Magill's theatre technician at Westminster Hospital.