Warning: Neither halothane nor metofane are very good for young researchers (nor old ones for that matter) being hepatotoxic and teratogenic. Metofane can also sting your eyes and burn your skin. So be careful! Do not take undue risks and try to reduce exposure as much as possible.
Make sure there is enough halothane in the machine (should be above the REFILL gauge, best if still in FULL gauge window). To refill: use halothane (available in Wet Lab hood), attach red refill device securely to bottle, slide nozzle into cubical area between and above the gauges, tighten in place with bolt, and open flow control bolt.
Make sure air tank is properly attached to back of machine by green hose.
Attach tube from anesthesia machine to gas mask. Also connect an activated carbon filter (f/air cat. # 80120, A.M. Bickford Inc., 12318 Big Tree Road, Wales Center, NY 14169) to the gas mask.
Open air tank ALL the way. Make sure there is plenty of pressure in the tank, (gauge closest to the nozzle > 500 psi), adjust outgoing pressure to 50 psi (try to keep this between 35 and 50 psi).
Dial halothane to 1% and adjust green O2 knob to 500 cc per minute. Flush out tubes for 2 minutes.
Use bell jar and one capful of metofane on Kim wipes (cover to prevent metofane from getting on animal). Keep bell jar closed as much as possible. Once the animal collapses rapidly and gently transfer animal to gas mask.
Place protective petroleum jelly ("eye goop") over animal's eyes.
If animal is fidgety or responds to stimulus, briefly increase dial to 2% halothane, as soon as response stops dial back to 1%. Try to get down to 0.75% before starting experiment.
When finished, dial halothane to 0%. Let air flush for >3 minutes.
Close air tank all the way and pull the O2 flush lever.
Disconnect and store hoses neatly.
Place activated carbon filter in Wet Lab hood and mark off hours of use.