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

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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$formed, for the purpose of introducing the gas to the attention of surgeons in that city. Moreover, in an article published June 18tli, 1845, in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, I referred to it as a thing well known and established—the article being headed, “ On the ]\Iodus Operandi of Medicine,'’ written to show that many, if not all, local diseases, are cured by specific stimulants. Now, when it is known that Mr. Mor¬ ton was instructed in his profession by Mr. Wells, and intro¬ duced into business by him, we can easily trace the manner in which Mr. M. might have derived his information. It is to be borne in mind, also, that Jackson and Morton have, through the public prints, each denied the other his claim—a thing easily settled, one would think, if it in justice belonged to either. In my own mind, there is not a shadow of doubt tliat the whole merit of the discovery of this thing rests with Wells, and with him alone, although others may have experimented with ether before him. The idea and its practical api)lication arc Ms, and let the public concede that to him, which his generosity, unrestricted with patents, demands, and which has been, as far as jiossiblc, wrested trom him. The claim¬ ants in Boston I do not know, and should be unwilling, in any manner, to injure their feelings, but 1 must say that tliey are laboring under an hallucination at least; though I cannot but hope they may be able to establish some claim to originality, a task somewhat dillicult, as the case appears to stand. These statements are given, not from any personal consider¬ ations, but simply as an act of justice; and I hope that the profession, after due deliberation, will give a righteous award. P. W. ELLSWOllTH, M. D. 1 was perfectly aware ol the discovery by Horace NN ells of the aiuesthetic property of nitrous oxyd gas as early as 1844. The discovery of this pro])erty possessed by the gas must inevitably, in my opinion, Iiave led to the trial of ether, as$