Discovery by Horace Wells of the applicability of nitrous oxyd gas, sulphuric ether and other vapors in surgical operations nearly two years before the patented discovery of Drs. Charles T. Jackson and W.T.G. Morton.
- Date:
- 1850
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Discovery by Horace Wells of the applicability of nitrous oxyd gas, sulphuric ether and other vapors in surgical operations nearly two years before the patented discovery of Drs. Charles T. Jackson and W.T.G. Morton. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![iiuike a trial on the following day; that accord- iiioflv on the next day, he administered to Dr. Wells the protoxyd of nitrogen, at his request, and extracted one of his superior molar teeth, he manifesting no signs of suffering, and stating that he felt no pain during the operation. Dr. Riggs further says, that encouraged and gratified with the success of the first experiment. Dr. Wells and himself continued to administer the gas to various individuals, and to extract teeth under its influence, in the presence of several gentle¬ men, until fully satisfied of its usefulness and applicability in surgical operations. Dr. Wells avowed to him the intention to communicate the discovery to the dental and medical laculty, and in pursuance of that intention, proceeded to the city of Boston for that pur])ose, while he, (Dr. Riggs,) continued to use the gas in his dental operations, with great success, the patients as¬ suring him they felt no pain. Dr. Riggs, in a subsequent alfidavit states, that these experi¬ ments were repeated during the montlis of No¬ vember and December, 1844, not less than about twenty times, both alone and in conjunction with Dr. Wells, and uniformly with entire suc¬ cess. He also bears witness to the tact that dur- ino-Ibis period the aiavsthetic projierties ul the](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b29337045_0016.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
