The invention of anæsthetic inhalation, or, "Discovery of anæsthesia." / by William J. Morton.

  • William J. Morton
Date:
1880
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The invention of anæsthetic inhalation, or, "Discovery of anæsthesia." / by William J. Morton. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/52 (page 8)
    was a discovery—the discovery of Anaesthesia as applied to surgery—and that this discovery was made in 1846. • The discovery was made in 18If; it went forth from Dr. Morton’’s hands. He alone was known or heard of in connection with it until after its success was established. And but one man was known as author in relation to these events, and that man was Dr. Morton. He it was who asked for an opportunity to administer the ether, and his hand ad¬ ministered it before a crowded amphitheatre of skeptical wit¬ nesses; his, the responsibility of failure and its attendant ridicule, and his, the risk of an almost certain indictment for manslaughter, in case of the death of any one of the patients upon whom the preliminary experiments were made which led to this public trial. During this trying and crucial period he alone was known or heard of as originator in connection with the use of ether until after its safety, efficacy, and utility had been established beyond a doubt. Claimant he was not, for from whom could he claim anything ? Ho one else had claimed to have discovered Anaesthesia. It did not exist—or the testimony of Orfila, of Brodie, of Warren, and of all con¬ temporaneous and eminent authorities is false. It was not therefore claimable from any one. It originated then and there, in 1846. At that moment it was revealed, announced, verified, introduced, and popularized, and the discovery went forth to the world—issued by Morton, indorsed by the Hospital. Antiquarian exploration, prompted, whether it be by sophistical or by honest partisanship, assails this position in vain, and on this basis posterity will render that verdict unani¬ mous which promoters of confusion now seek to delay. From this elevated plane Dr. Morton, living, combated assaults with a forbearance not accorded to him in return, but with a per¬ sistency which was convincing of his faith in the justice of his cause; and in his grave he awaits the world’s unanimous ver¬ dict of confirmation and approval. After-claimants arise ; their characteristics. But at this point in the history of Anaesthesia, clear-cut, defined, and impregnable as Dr. Morton’s position would seem