Skip to main content

Full text of "Report [of] the Committee ... to whom was referred the petition of Dr. William T. G. Morton, asking compensation for the discovery and gift to his country and mankind of the application of ethereal vapor as a safe and practical anaesthesia"

See other formats 


;/'*  v.-  * 


:^i 


>-.     « 


^v 


«, 


)?]>S?0 


•AtTlM' 


37™  Congress,)  SENATE.         /  (  Rkp.  Co*. 


m  THE  SENATE  OF  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


PiraoAiT  14,  186S.— Ord«Ped  to  be  prinUd. 


Mr,  Wilson,  from  the  Committee  on  Military  Affairs  and  the  Militia, 
submitted  the  following 

EEPORT. 

T-Aj  Committee  on  Military  A  fair,  and  the  Militia,  to  whom  was  re- 
f^'-'-y^^h-  !  "/  Dr.   V  .  T.  G.  Morton,  w<kin^  compen- 

*',"'""""  j'Overy  ani   .^  .  •  to  his  country  and  in  'I ;    1  of 

l/Ki  apf .  ,  of  etkertal  vapor  as  a  safe  and  practiced  ■  /a 

WiiTw"' V-""'^  '^*"''  '"^'^^  '"'^  ''^  sam^  under  consideration', 

^i^tn^V^^  '™-  i  ^^^  "'l*^**^  discovery,  in  1846,  and  for  a  lone 

^^^J         \.-  ^\-^  '■®''®''®  ^"'^  ^'■«"  '"^  destroy  nam  in  surgical 

donod  »v;      ^.T  f°^.''''=''^°l  '^ere  used,  and  all  in  their  tnrn  aban- 
doned, excep.  that  opium  in  many  cases,  and  mesmerism  in  a  few 

ttat  lime  there  n-;«  not  any  .  .         „1   <., .;  i,  mo..,,,«  „f  ,.>.,vlucinjr 

«'■ "'wn  •«  and  used  ly  die  "^ 

aiv'i,-  •y'.'"\1844,  1845,  and!   i.,  ,    ;  ^,^.a,ijiwv  wa-exten- 

SiaiLT-f.K"  *"  ^"^"^'"^  of  dentistry  in  the  citv  of  Ro„on; 
that  he  was  at  the  same  time  a  stndont  in  the  medical  c  '  .J 

01^,  and  attendant  on  the  clinical  lectnics  in  the  g. ,  -      ^1 

and  obtained  his  degree  at  the  ^\  ■  •„„  Univereitv  Maryland 
nJiiB  prn-ate  practice  and  at  the  1.  ,  :  .  he  witne^^  "^uich  iCail 
,  and  in  the  cluneal  loctnres  the  means  of  relieving  it  were 

«ffi„«      '"!■  ""^."'scusscd,  and  Doctor  Morton  assisted  in  t,'   •    -   ;,e 

nember.    Tlins  the  status  of  sci.  .'    ■       ■     ■> 

»  him— as  well  what  it  had  ac  -. 

.tgfoistnlb.l'H    ''*?.  "^'^''''-'^^  ^y  tl'C  learned  proteseor«,  a'/d' 

SJfr  It  w!i  ir^!," '  ^^^IT  /''°  ?«^  ^f  «P'°°»  i"  <"«^  specific 
rtfch  wn  M  A  "^  probable  that  there  was  something  in  nature 
»hich  would  produce  certain,  safe,  and  --''.,  ,.  ,•  ,  •^'i.m  j^  ll! 
Jso  certain  that  it  had  not  yet  been  di.  .      .  "^cr  wm 

iplied  t^tCnir •'""  i'!^''.  «^Pf  ""«■>'•  ll'e  elfect  of  e.l'erS 
*plied  to  the  part,  lu  reliewng  the  pain  of  an  aching  tooth  to  which 


2  DR.    WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 

he  applied  it  in  1844,  with  a  knowledge  of  the  nse  of  its  vapor  in 
college  experiments,  suggested  the  idea  to  him  that  the  vapor  of 
ether  might  furnish  the  much-desired  and  long-sought  preventive  of 
pain.  Accordingly,  during  the  summer  of  1844  he  tried  experiments 
on  animals,  and  continued  the  investigation  until  he  succeeded,  in 
rendering  himself  entirely  unconscious  by  an  experiment  on  himself 
in  1846,  and  became  satisfied  that  it  might  be  used  with  safety.  He 
endeavored  to  prevail  on  his  students  to  submit  to  the  experiments, 
but  they  having  heard  accounts  of  occasional  fatal  effects  in  col- 
lege experiments,  refused  to  inhale  it  to  the  extent  he  desired. 
Chance  at  length  threw  in  his  way  the  means  of  trying  and  standing 
by  and  witnessing  its  effect  on  a  human  being,  who  was  undisturbed 
by  any  preconceived  opinions,  whether  hopes,  or  fears. 

On  the  30th  of  September,  1846,  a  strong,  robust  man  came  into 
his  office  and  asked  to  have  a  tooth  extracted,  and  as  he  was  unwil 
ling  to  suffer  pain,  desired  to  be  mesmerized.     He  was  told  that  there 
was  a  better  preventive,  and  he  consented  to  have  it  applied.     Doc 
tor  Morton  administered  the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether,  and  the  tooth 
was  extracted  without  any  expression,  and,  as  the  patient  declared, 
without  any  sensation,  of  pain,  and  without  any  injurious  consequence 
Doctor  Morton  made  numerous  other  successful  experiments,  which 
satisfied  him  of  its  safety  and  efficacy.    It  was  almost  immediately  in- 
troduced into  the  medical  hospital,  at  Doctor  Morton^s  request,  where 
with  a  short  interruption  within  the  first  month,  it  has  been  since  con 
stantly  used  with  entire  success.     Having  verified  his  discovery,  hel'^ 
applied  for  and  obtained  a  patent  under  the  great  seal  of  the  UnitedJ 
States.     This  was  determined  on  as  the  best  means  of  publicly  verij, 
fying  his  right  to  the  discovery,  and  of  keeping  this  new  and  mysterij'^i 
ous  agent  out  of  unskilful  hands ;  but  in  order  to  extend  its  benefitlPf 
to  the  utmost  limits  of  safety,  he  at  once  gave  free  permission  of  itj, 
use   to   all   public    institutions  which  Doctor  Warren,   senior   surjj!' 
geon  of  the  medical  hospital  of  Boston,  saw  fit  to  name.     He  als<|  ^ 
invited  all  reliable  members  of  the  medical  faculty  to  receive  in8truc|'''5 
tions  and  join  in  testing  its  value.     All  of  those  who  now  contest  hilj"'', 
fight  knew  of  his  intended  application  before  it  was  made,  and,  sr"" 
knowing,  approved  it.     The  specification,  which  the  granting  wordl./' 
of  the  patent  cover,  declares  a  preference  for  "the  vapor  of  sulphurilj^^ 
ether  to  those  of  muriatic  or  other  kinds  of  ether,"  but  adds  th'JJ£^ 
"any  such  may  be  employed  which  will  properly  produce  the  statlj^''^ 
of  insensibility,  without  any  injurious  consequences  to  ihe  patientir^ 
This,  of  course,  includes  chloric  ether,  or  chloric  ether  concentrate!^^'' 
into  chloroform.    The  sulphuric  ether  was  preferred,  because  it  I  "o 
equally  efficient  and  much  more  safe  than  chloric  ether  or  chlorl'"^"^' 
form.  ^  1% 

This  patent,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  ought  to  put  forevI*'f^'i 
at  rest,  between  the  United  States  and  the  petitioner,  and  betweJWca 
all  who  knew  and  approved  of  the  application  for  the  patent  and  tl*'^iii 
petitioner,  all  question  as  to  the  riglit  of  discovery  of  the  thing  pJJ^prf 
ented.  But,  independently  of  this,  there  is  ample  evidence  in  tl^a^ 
papers  accompanying  this  report  that  the  petitioner  was  the  first  d^ini 
original  discoverer  of  the  vapor  of  ether  as  a  safe  and  practical  W^'iJDi 
aesthetic  agent.  §1^0  2  P'^'**' 


DR.   WM.   T.    O.    MORTON.  8 

It  18  further  shown,  by  evidence  Piitisfactory  to  jonr  committee,  that 

the  discovery  was  a  source  and  cause  not  of  profit  or  emolument  to 

Dr.  Mofton,  but  of  labor,  anxiety,  and  heavy  and  ruinnuB  expense 

and  loss.     The  aiuestli.  "  d.     It  was  re|)n'S(Mit<'d  aa 

ruinous  to  the  human  (  <  u  fatal  to  life,    'i'lu*  public 

were  warned  atrainst  ila  use,  :ind  I>r.  Morion  devoted  years  (4'  his  life, 

his  p:itrimony,  all  the  earnin«^8  of  his  past  life,  and  all  his  credit, 

•  put  down  and  disabuse  the  public  of  the   falsehood  thus  industri- 

uusly  circulated  to  its  prejudice,    lie  and  a  few  n^enerons  friends  who 

I  came  to  his  aid  alone  strove  with  the  tide  which  set  so  strontj^ly  against 

\    tlie  discovery.     Neither  of  those  who  now  contest  his  right  lit'ted  a 

I  I  finger   to  aid,  until  he  finally  prevailed,  but  assailed  it.     The  vapor 

I  of  ether  as  an  anaesthetic  agent  was  acknowledged,  and  received  and 

nped  throughout  the  civilized  world.     It  was  used  in  all  the  hospitals 

r  the  United  States,  and  by  all  the  surgeons  in  the  army  and  navy 

f  the    United    States.     Thus    the  Executive   of  the    United   States 

'ized  and  used  this  discovery  with ont  license  or  reward,  and  regard- 

t   its  own  patent — an  example  which  the  multitude  readily  fol- 

I         t,  though  the  j)atent  had  kept  the  discovery  out  of  the  hands  ot 

'  quacks  until  it  had  been  fully  and  fairly  tested.    But  this  brought  no 

relief  to  the  discoverer;  and  every  quack  and  pretender,  wheresoever 

!iey  practiced,  following  the  exam])le  of  the  United  Sates  authorities, 

us(m|  the  pain-destroying  agent,  without   regard   to  the  rights  of  the 

initi  titee.     Dr.  Morton  then  determined  to  apply  to  his  country  for 

>mpcMis:ition  and  redress. 

From  1849  to  1854,  inclusive,  two  reports  were  made  by  commit- 
•^es  of  the  House,  atfirming  the  riglitof  Dr.  Morton,  and  recommend- 
Mg  compensation.     They  are  elaborate  and  carefully  considered  re- 
orts,  founded  upon  a  great  mass  of  testimony,  taken  as  well  by  Dr. 
Morton  to  support  his  claim  as  by  the  several  contestants  to  destroy 
.it ;  and  after  carefully  considering  and  weighing   the  testimony  and 
the  acts  of  the  several  parties  at  the  time  oi  the  discovery,  and  im- 
mediately subsequent  thereto,  they  reported   in   favor  of  his  claim, 
and  recommended  compensation  ;  and  they  reported  bills,  wliich  were 
Suried  and  lost  in  the  mass  of  unfinished  business. 

Two  committees  of  the  Senate — the  Committees  on  Military  and 
'Naval  xVtiairs — concurred  in  the  reports  of  the  committee  of  the 
House.  A  bill  granting  relief  generally  to  the  discoverer  passed  the 
>onate  in  1853,  and  again  in  1854.  One  of  these  shared  the  fate  of 
he  House  bills — buried  like  them  in  the  mass  of  unfinished  business. 
Lhc  other  was  rejected  in  the  confu>ion  of  a  midnight  session. 

Worn  out,  and  hopeless  of  the  action  of  Congress,  Dr.  Morton  me- 
morialized the  President  of  the  United  States,  praying  him   to  give 
^•"  It  ion  for  the  use  of  the  an^j^th^  fti a,  \\\q  patented  art irU^  or 

o  (  o  use  it  in  the  army  and  navy.     The  President  received  the 

qiplication,  and  was  about  to  order  a  just  and  liberal  compensation, 
vhen  the  Secretary  of  War,  Jefferson  Davis,  induced  him  to  require, 
us  a  prerequisite,  a  suit  in  one  of  the  federal  courts,  and  a  judgment 
hen  against  an  army  or  navy  surgeon  for  using  it  Dr.  Mortom 
wrought  suit,  recovered  judgment  against  a  surgeon  of  a  marine  ho»- 
>ital,  and  in  due  time,  but  after  a  change  of  administration,  produced 
he  record  of  the  judgment,  presented  it  to  Uowell  Cobb,  then  head 


4  DE.   WM    T.   G.   MORTON. 

of  the  Treasury  Department,  to  which  the  hospital  belonged,  who 
hesitated  for  a  time,  and  at  last  refused,  to  carry  out  the  order  of  the 
President.  So  the  Executive  refused  compensation,  and  continued  to 
use  the  discovery,  as  theretofore.  This  memorial  to  the  President 
was  backed  by  the  signatures  of  a  majority  of  the  members  of  each 
house  of  Congress.  In  the  meantime  the  patent  was  drawing  to  a 
close,  and  Dr.  Morton  determined  to  apply  for  an  extension,  under 
the  hupe  that  Congress  or  the  Executive  would  yet  be  induced  to  re- 
cogmy  and  respect  his  rights  under  it  at  some  time  within  and  during 
the  extended  term ;  but  the  extension  was  denied  him  because  of 
some  technical  formality  with  which  he  could  not  comply.  Your 
committee,  however,  consider  his  claim  as  valid  against  the  United 
States,  in  equity  and  good  conscience,  as  it  would  have  been  if  no 
such  difficulty  had  been  interposed,  and  the  patent  had  been  extended 
according  to  usual  practice  of  the  office  in  ordinary  cases. 

Congress  having  done  nothing,  the  right  of  Dr.  Morton  to  the  dis- 
covery was  examined,  and,  after  most  careful  investigation,  vouched 
by  the  medical  and  surgical  faculties  of  Boston,  New  York,  and  Phil 
adelphia,  the  elite  of  the  profession  joined  in  attestation  of  the  great] 
merits  of  the  discovery ;  and  they  express  an  unqualified  judgmen 
that  Dr.  Morton  is  entitled  to  the  credit  of  the  discovery,  and  of  per 
fecting  and  giving  it  to  the  world.     And  as  evidence  that  this  is  no 
mere  words  of  compliment,  they  vouched  their  opinion  by  a  generou 
effort  to  procure  subscriptions  to  relieve  the  embarrassment  in  whic' 
Dr.  Morton  was  involved  by  his  devoted  self-sacrifice. 

The  examination  of  this  question,  and  the  consequent  judgmen 
and  subscription,  originated  with  the  medical  faculty  of  Boston  ;  an 
as  they  had  all  the  means  derived  from  a  knowledge  of  parties,  of  wi 
nesses,  and  the  acts  of  parties  during  the  doubtful  period  of  the  dii 
covery,  when  no  man  could  tell  whether  it  was  or  was  not  of  valu 
their  decision  may  be  properly  considered  as  the  verdict  of  a  highl 
intelligent  jury  of  the  vicinage,  and  as  such,  your  committee  give  i 
great  weight.     And  its  value  is  enhanced  by  the  fact  that  the  facultie 
of  l!^ew  York  and  Philadelphia,  on  a  re-examination  of  the  questior  ^ 
concurred  in  this  judgment.     The  Institute  of  France  awarded  to  Dj  '^ 
Morton  their  largest  gold  medal.    This  would  seem  conclusive,  eve 
if  it  were  not,  as  your  committee  think  it  is,  fully  sustained  by  ind( 
pendent  proof.  ^ 

But  the  subscriptions  procured  by  medical  and  surgical  facultiei  Ji 
liberal  though  they  were,  fall  far  short  of  a  sum  sufficient  to  indemniw^^ 
Dr.  Morton  for  his  expenditures  of  time  and  money  in  pursuit  of  thipfi 
discovery,  and  in  giving  it  to  the  public  under  conditions  which  wou  '" 
command  public  confidence.  Nor  is  it  just  that  this  single  professic 
should  take  upon  itself,  by  its  extraordinary  efforts,  the  burden  of  ri'l^s 
warding  and  sustaining  a  discovery  by  which  the  nation  has  been,  ai||^^ 
is  now  especially,  so  largely  benefited.  AVlio  shall  estimate  its  val 
to  the  army  and  navy  of  the  United  States  ?  For  what  sum  would  t 
government  now  consent  for  a  single  year,  or  even  after  a  single  battljfedf 
to  forego  its  use?  It  is  in  proof  before  us  that  Dr.  Morton  himj 
administered  his  nepenthe  to  more  than  a  hundred  wounded  sold' 
fresh  from  the  battle-field  of  Fredericksburg,  and  with  three  minu' 
to  the  man,  and  without  a  single  failure,  prepared  them  all  for  a  p 


ere 
lot 


DR.    WM.   T.   O.   MOBTOKl  5 

J  MS  operation  with  the  probo  and  the  knifo.  His  nejj^enthe  is  used  in 
\  11  upcratioiiH  in  the  army  and  navy,  and  wo  aro  sate  in  eaying  that 
J  o  sum  which  could  be  named  would  induce  the  United  States  to 
J  i>rego  it6  use. 

J    It  Wii8  used  for  fourteen  years,  as  far  back  as  the  Mexican  war,  and 

J  own  to  the  expiration  of  the  patent.     To  his  le^al  right  to  indemnity 

^  od  compensation  for  thii<,  no  one  who  regards  the  mandates  and  pro- 

\  ibitions  of  the  Constitution  can  doubt.     Tiie  legal  liability  of  the 

red  States  fortliis  has  been  judicially  determined  in  the  suit  above 

rred  to.     This  is  independent  of  all  consideration  of  merit  in  the 

•overy.     It  is  a  legal  right;  it  is  property;  and  it  is  all  the  prop- 

V  the  petitioner  has  left  to  him.     It  has  been  taken  by  the  United 

itcs,  and  it  has  been  applied  to  public  use.     It  is  debt  due  Dr. 

lorton,  and  h>ng  withhela.     He  is,  also,  in  the  opinion  of  your  com- 

.  n'ttee,  entitled  equally  to  comj)ensation  for  its  use  to  the  present  time, 

1,  hereafter,  down  to  the  expiration  of  an  extended  patent,  accord- 

^  to  ordinary  law  and  the  usage  of  the  department  ;  and  ho  is  enti- 

1,  not  in  strict  law  or,  perhaps,  in  legal  equity,  but  in  sound  political 

lality,  to  liberal  consideration  for  the  priceless  service  which  he 

>  rendered  to  his  country  and  its  people  in  every  cc)ndition  of  life. 

^'  are  satisfied  that  Dr.  Morton  is  the  discoverer.     We  think  him 

itled  to  liberal  compensation  and  reward,  in  accordance  with  the 

ii^es  of  this  and  other  governments  in  such  cases. 

The  only  question  as  to  this  claim  is  the  amount.     A  bill  twice 

— ed   the  Senate  apj>ropriating  a  hundred   thousand  dollars  to  the 

coverer.     Former  committees  and  heads  of  departments,  at  a  time 

en  there  was  not  a  tithe  of  the  evidence  that  the  use  of  the  discov- 

by  the  United  States  now  furnishes  of  its  value  to  the  government, 

')rted  in  favor  of  and  recommended  appropriating  one  hundred 

iisand  dollars  to  enable  the  President  ot  the  United  States  to  pro- 

0  the  surrender  of  Dr.  Morton's  i)atent. 

The  medical  faculty  say  "  its  value  is  such  that,  if  it  were  only  to  be 
..  irchased  with  large  sums  of  money,  millions  of  dollars  would  readily 
jljid  properly  be  paid  by  persons  who  are  subjects  of  the  pain  thedis- 
^^gj  ivery  is  competent  to  avert  or  relieve ;"  and  "  that  Dr.  Morton  ought 
■  jj    have  a  monument  of  gold  as  high  as  Trinity  Church  steeple." 
lOUgh  it  may  be  utterly  impossible  to  determine  the  jjroper  bounds 
jl^  thin  which  merit  is  to  be  rewarded  in  a  case  like  the  })resent,  in 
'jj  lich  an  humble  individual  is  the  donor  and  the  whole  nati(»n  the  re- 
lent, we  can  appropriate  a  sum  of  money  which  will  reimburse  and 
emnify  him  for  expenses  and  sacrifices  in  bestowing  this  boon,  and 
his  future  life  beyond  the  reach  of  poverty,  and  in  this  manner 
nstice  to  ourselves, 
account  stated,  supported  by  satisfactory  evidence,  shows  that 
""'•.  Morton  has  expended  in  money,  and  time,  and  sacrifice  of  prof es- 
nal  business,  more  than  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  in  discover- 
■  J  j:,  defending  the  discovery  and  his  rights  thereto,  and  perfecting  and 
ving  the  nation  this  pain-destroying  agent. 

\  our  committee  are  of  the  opinion  that  some  compensation  is  due, 
.^.t  they  report  these  facta  for  the  information  of  the  Senate,  without 
nji  ^  recommendation. 


roul 


^'in 


6  DB.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

Your  committee  herewith  report,  as  an  appendix,  a  narrative  of  the 
discovery,  and  Dr.  Morton's  connexion  with  it. — (Appendix  A.) 

An  analysis  of  the  testimony  of  contestants  for  the  honor  of  the  di& 
covery. — (Appendix  B.) 

Extracts  from  the  reasoned  report  of  the  committee  of  the  House  o: 
Representatives  of  1849  ;  and  extracts,  with  notes  appended,  from  th{ 
agreed  report  of  1852,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  members,  and  cer 
tified  by  the  then  clerk  of  the  House  of  Eepresentatives,  but  not  pre 
sented  ibr  the  want  of  opportunity. — (Appendix  C.) 

Also  extracts  from  a  large  mass  of  evidence  on  which  all  the  report 
are  mainly  founded ; — the  acts  and  proceedings  of  the  medical  an( 
surgical  associations  of  Boston,  Is'ew  York,  and  Philadelphia,  referrec 
to  above ; — an  account  stated,  with  proof  of  its  approximate  correct 
ness,  showing  the  expenditures  in  time  and  money  of  Dr.  Morton  ii 
making  and  giving  to  the  public  his  discovery ; — reports  from  th 
Secretaries  of  War  and  of  the  Navy,  the  surgical  bureaux,  the  sui 
geons  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  members  of  the  medical  professior 
showing  the  extent  to  which  the  nepenthe  is  used,  and  the  estimatio 
in  which  it  is  held,  and  recommending  compensation ; — and  a  sunr 
ming-up  of  the  abstract  question  of  discovery.  As  the  appendix  i 
voluminous,  they  have  directed  that  an  index  be  prepared  and  aj 
pended  to  facilitate  its  examination. 


'Ifa 
alfai 

Aw 

<fjlcol 

lilt 

^H 
^^ 


DR,   WM,   T.    O.    MOBTOH. 


APPENDIX.  ,gp 


-■      ~         ■  ^-  I  the  memorial  of  Dr. 

/rest  for  ihe  discovery 
and  yijt  lu  A  '  ave  had  the 

tatne  under  c  ^  ^       _  ^       ^'^iwy  report: 

That  in  order  ti>  arrive  «t  a  just  con^lutlon  as  to  the  fact  of  the  discovery  and 
its  tni-  vn''!-.  v-jr  .  »r»n'tt»^»-  *^vi'-  <]  with  care  the  state  of  medical  and 
8  r_'  -  i  .  .  ][,  t'  ;i'  it  iJiiii  .  I  HI  <•  time  of  the  pursuit,  txperimente  and 
a  overy  I'V  the  ptrtitioner,  wli.h  waft  during  the  years  1844-45— '46  ; 

:v  nnd  that  from  the  earliest  times,  sod  at  all  times  within  the  historical 

'  •^riod,  some  means  have  been  known  and  used  to  deaden  or  destroy  the  sensa- 
lion  of  pain  in  severe  surgical  operations,  and  in  some  cases  where  dvath  was 
iuflicted  by  lingering  torture,  a  few  cases  taken  from  writers  of  different  periods 
will  sufficiently  establish  this  position. 

Pliny,  the  naturalist,  who  perished  in  the  destruction  of  Hercalaneum  in  A. 

0.  79,  in  describing  the  plant  mandragfora,  says,  "  It  has  a  soporific  power  on 

he  faculties  of  those  who  drink  it :  the  ordinary  portion  is  half  a  cup.     It  is 

rank  airainst  serpents,  ar      '  uid  puncturinor,  1st  they  should  be 

It."     When  he  speaks  called  by  us  the  rocket^  he  says  that 

^  ?  (^(Is,  when  drank  in  wii.c  by  crinjiiinls  about  to  undergo  the  lash,  produce 

^  --It  of  c^llniipnesa  or  induration  of  f»'eling. 

Di'  'le  great  physician  of  Cilicia,  in  Asia,  states,  in  his  chapter  on 

the  ni '         _  -I : 

"  Some  boil  down  the  roots  in  wine  to  a  third  part,  and  preserve  the  juice 
thus  procured,  and  give  one  cyathus  of  it  to  cause  the  insentibility  of  those  ufho 
eare  to  be  ntt  or  cauterized V 

Besides  this  decoction,  he  speaks  also  of  a  wine  made  from  the  bark  of  thia 
tame  root,  which  was  to  be  used  for  the  same  purpose.  Speaking  of  another 
variety  of  mandragora,  called  morion,  he  observes,  **  medical  men  use  it  also 
for  those  who  are  to  be  cut  or  cauterized.'* 

Matthiolus,  the  commentator  on     '  les,  confirms  all  his  various  state- 

ments, which    are   subsequently  v  r    by  Dodoneous,  who  states  that 

"wine,  in  v  roots  6f  man  tve  been  steef»ed,  brings  on  sleep, 

and  appea>  ,      '^;  so  that  it  i-  >  those  who  are  to  be  cut,  sawed, or 

burned  in  any  parts  of  their  body,  that  they  may  not  perceive  pain." 

Apuleius,  of  Madaura,  who  lived  ab<»ut  a  century  later  than  Pliny,  writes  : 
**If  any  one  is  to  have  a  memb4»r  mutilated,  burned  or  sawed,  let  him  drink 
I  half  an  ounce  with  wine,  and  let  him  sleep  on  till  the  member  is  cut  away,  with- 
I  out  any  pain  or  sensation.^ 

A  work  on  the  pharmacopeia  and  medicine,  entitled  Kon-lcen-i-tong^  or  gen- 
eral collection  of  ancient  and  modern  medicine,  which  belones  to  the  Biblio- 
tbeque  Imperial  at  Pari?,  '  '      '  '    tches  of  several 

hundred  of  the  most  dis:  r  the  biofi:raph- 

i''  •^^"ho  flourislie<i  ui..i< :  the  *i\nH>iy  mI'  Wti — that  ia,  between 

tl  ^^  of  oMr  ora —  .^'  "r««  the  f  >llowin(r  pafsage  : 

"  T'  n  which  the   needle,  the  moza,  or 

Kqui'i  -     ^  "xample,  in   the  bones,  or  the  mar- 

"  row  of  the  bones,  in  the  stomach,  or  the  intestines,  he  gave  the  patient  a  prepa- 
ration of  hemp,  (in  the  Chinese,  ma-yo,)  and  after  a  few  momenta  he  became 
aa  insensible  as  if  he  had  been  drunk  or  dead.  Then,  a«  the  case  required,  1m 
;  performed  operations,  iocisiona,  or  amputations,  and  removed  the  cmse  of  th* 


8^  DR.   WM.   T.   a.   MORTON. 

malady ;  then  he  brought  together  and  secured  the  tissues,  and  apph'ed  lini- 
ments. After  a  certain  number  of  days  the  patient  recovered  without  having 
experienced,  during  the  operation,  the  slightest  pain." 

This  ma-yo  employed  by  Hoatho,  also  called  Hans,  mafo-san,  or  hemp-essence 
powder,  the  same  drug  as  mentioned  by  Herodotus  twenty-three  centuries  ago, 
is  the  cannabis  indica,  the  haschisch  or  hasheesh  of  the  east,  now  much  culti- 
vated and  used  there  for  the  preparation  of  Bhang,  the  intoxicating  effects  of 
which,  and  the  terrible  results  of  its  use  have  been  so  often  described.  "  This," 
wrote  Sir  Joseph  Banks,  about  the  commencement  of  this  century,  **  is  prepared, 
and,  I  believe,  used  in  all  parts  of  the  east,  from  Morocco  to  China.  In  Bar- 
bary  it  is  always  taken,  if  it  can  be  procured,  by  criminals  condemned  to  suffer 
amputation ;  and  it  is  said  to  enable  those  miserables  ta  bear  the  rough  opera- 
tions of  an  unfeeling  executioner,  more  than  we  Eurapeans  can  the  keen  knife 
of  our  most  skilful  surgeons." 

But  all  these  pain-assuaging  drugs,  if  used  improperly  and  to  excess,  as  they 
frequently  are,  first  to  relieve  pain,  then  produce  pleasurable  sensations,  tend  to 
destroy  the  nervous  system,  and  generally  produce  insanity  or  death.  Such  is 
especially  the  case  with  alcohol  and  Indian  hemp,  or  haschisch.  It  is  recorded 
in  a  modern  journal  of  medicine : 

More  than  one-half  of  the  natives  received  provisionally  into  the  insane  wards 
of  the  civil  hospital  in  Algiers  have  been  smokers  of  haschish  or  eaters  of  maad- 
jaun,  and  scarcely  one  of  them  is  ever  found  to  recover.* 

But  in  the  hands  of  skilful  surgeons,  they  have  at  all  times  produced,  to  a 
limited  extent,  a  salutary  effect.  Theodoric,  who  died  in  1298,  ordered  the  in- 
\ialation  of  an  anodyne  vapor,  to  prevent  pain,  by  means  of  a  "  spongia  somni- 
feray"  (or  sleeping  ball,)  as  it  is  called  in  the  rubric.  Hugo,  of  Lucca,  who  wa& 
the  teacher  of  Theodoric,  and  had  often  used  it,  thus  describes  its  preparation  : 
"  Take  of  opium  and  the  juice  of  unripe  mulberry,  of  hyoscyamus,  of  the  juice 
of  the  hemlock,  of  the  juice  of  the  leaves  of  the  mandragora,  of  the  juice  of 
the  woody  ivy,  of  the  juice  of  the  forest  mulberry,  of  the  seeds  of  lettuce,  of 
the  seed  of  the  burdock,  which  has  large  and  round  apples,  and  of  the  water- 
hemlock,  each  one  ounce;  mix  the  whole  of  these  together  in  a  brazen  vessel, 
and  then  in  it  place  a  new  sponge,  and  let  the  whole  boil,  and  as  long  as  the 
sun  on  the  dog-days,  till  it  (the  sponge)  consumes  it  all,  and  let  it  be  boiled 
away  in  it.  As  often  as  there  is  need  of  it  place  this  same  sponge  into  warm  water 
for  one  hour,  and  let  it  be  applied  to  the  nostrils  till  he  who  is  to  be  operated 
on  [qui  incidendus  est)  has  fallen  asleep,  and  in  this  state  let  the  operation  be 
performed,  {et  sic  fiat  chirugia.)  When  this  is  finished,  in  order  to  rouse  him, 
place  another  dipped  in  vinegar  frequently  to  his  nose,  or  let  the  juice  ©f  the 
roots  of  fenigreek  be  squirted  into  his  nostrils.     Presently  he  awakens." 

M.  Dauriol,  a  French  physician  residing  in  the  neighborhood  of  Toulouse, 
asserts  that,  in  1832,  he  followed  the  directions  given  by  Theodoric,  and  oper- 
ated several  times  with  success.  He  even  reports  five  cases  of  painless  opera- 
tions. 

According  to  the  statements  of  many  writers,  during  the  fourteenth,  fifteenth, 
and  sixteenth  centuries  it  was  the  custom  to  give  criminals  about  to  undergo 
the  torture  a  compound  which  deadened  their  sensibility.  This  is  borne  witness 
to  by  Nicholas  Eymerie,  grand  inquisitor  of  Aragon. 

This  was  also  tho  opinion  of  Pegna,  who  commentated  the  work  of  Eymerie 
in  15*78,  who  attributed  it  to  sorcery.  In  1524  Hippolitus,  professor  of  juris- 
prudence at  Bologna,  wrote,  in  his  Criminal  Practice,  that  he  h§id  seen  accused 
persons,  as  it  were,  asleep,  under  the  most  cruel  tortures ;  and  in  such  a  stupor 
as  resembles  the  action  of  narcotic  medicines.  This  result  is  regretted  by  Ta- 
bonneau,  a  contemporary  of  Pegna,  who  complained  that  it  had  become  almost 

•"Journal  de  Medicine  et  de  Chirurgie Pratique,"  and  Medioo-Chirurgical  Review."  1858wf 


DB,J^1^   T.   O.    MORTON,  9 

useltss  to  apply  the  tortur,  for  the  means  of  stupefaction  being  known  to  every 
jailor,  they  stfMoin  fail  to  impart  the  benefit  of  their  secret  to  the  wretches  put 
to  tlie  (juefttion. 

Altliough  ai  this  time  the  means  of  deadening  sensibility  by  drugs  were  so 
well  known  to  the  criminals  and  their  jailors,  it  does  not  app(^ar  that  their  upo 
to  relieve  pain  during  operations  was  by  any  means  common.  It  is  probable 
the  deadly  results  which  must  have  often  ensued  from  their  use,  the  long-con- 
tinued depression  which  they  exert  upon  the  nervous  system,  the  confirmed 
stupor,  and  the  congestions  and  other  accidents  which  are  so  liable  to  follow,  all 
conspired  to  prevent  their  use  or  even  examination  by  the  surgeons. 

Guy  de  Chauliac,  or  Chaulieu,  and  Brunus,  are  the  only  ones  during  this 
period  who  refer  in  their  medical  works  to  agents  to  relieve  pain.  But  as  espe- 
cial reference  is  made  by  them  to  their  bad  eSects  and  the  danger  of  producing 
asphyxia,  congestions,  and  death,  it  is  probable  that  they  were  seldom  and  most 
unsuccessfully  employed. 

J.  Canape,  or  Canappe,  physician  to  Francis  I,  wrote  a  work  in  which  he 
speaks  of  the  procedure  of  Theodoric  and  others,  and  thus  refers  to  the  dangers 
of  the  internal  administration  of  narcotics:  *^Les  autres  donnent  opium  a  hoire^ 
et  font  mal,  specialement  s'il  est  jeune,  et  I'apercoivent ;  car  c'est  avec  une 
grando  bataille  de  vertu  animale  et  naturelle.  J^ai  oui  qui'ls  encourent  roanie, 
et  part  consequent,  la  mort." 

The  celebrated  French  surgeon,  Ambrose  Pare,  toward  the  close  of  the  same 
century,  mentions  that  a  decoction  of  mandragora,  "  to  avert  the  pain  attendant 
upon  the  amputation  of  a  limb,"  was  "formerly  used."  In  1579  an  English 
author,  Bulleyn,  stated  that  it  was  impossible  to  put  a  patient  into  an  anaesthetic 
state  during  the  operation  of  lithotomy,  but  speaks  of  the  sleep  produced  as 
"a  trance,  or  a  deepe  terrible  dreame." 

Many  of  the  older  authors  afi"ected  a  secrecy  and  mystery  as  regards  these 
preparations.  Baptista  Porta  describes  a  '''' pomum  somnijicum^''  (a  sleeping 
apple,)  "  the  smelling  of  which  binds  the  eyes  with  a  deep  sleep."  He  states 
that  there  can  be  extracted  from  plants  "  a  quintessence  which  must  be  kept  in 
leaden  vessels,  very  closely  stopped  that  it  may  not  have  the  least  vent,  lest  it 
fly  out.  When  you  would  use  it,  uncover  it  and  hold  it  to  a  sleeping  man's 
nostrils,  whose  breath  will  suck  up  this  subtile  essence,  which  will  so  besiege 
the  castle  of  his  senses  that  he  will  be  overwhelmed  with  a  most  profound  sleep, 
not  to  be  shook  ofi"  without  much  labor.  Afler  sleep  no  heavines  will  remain 
in  his  head,  nor  any  suspicion  of  art.  These  things,"  he  adds,  "  are  manifest 
to  a  wise  physician ;  to  a  wicked  one  obscure." 

Meisner  gives  in  detail  an  account  of  a  secret  remedy  given  toward  the  close 
of  the  seventeenth  century,  by  Weiss,  to  Augustus  II.,  King  of  Poland,  which 
produced  such  a  perfect  state  of  anaesthesia  that  the  King's  deceased  foot  was 
amputated  without  his  feeling  it.  The  operation  was  performed  without  the 
royal  patient's  consent,  and  was  not  discovered  by  him  until  the  following 
morning. 

In  the  tragedy  of  "  Women  Beware  Woman,"  written  by  Middleton,  and  pub- 
lished in  1657,  he  alleles  in  the  following  terms  to  anaesthesia  in  surgery : 

•'  I'll  imitate  the  pities  of  old  surgeons 
To  this  lost  limit,  who,  ere  they  show  their  art, 
Cait  one  asleep,  then  cut  the  diseased  part  " 

Of  all  the  narcotics  which  have  beenemployed  to  relieve  pain,  opium  (which 
Van  Helmont  calls  the  '^specific  gift  of  the  Creator''')  and  its  various  prepara- 
tions has  been  the  lonorest  time  in  vogue,  and  with  by  far  the  most  certain  and 
satisfactory  results.  Theodoric  and  Guy  de  Chauliac  gave  it  internally,  and 
many  other  surgeons  have  constantly  since  advocated  its  use.  Up  to  the  time 
of  the  discovery  of  etherization  it  was  in  reality  the  only  means  relied  upon  to 
deaden  the  anguish  of  an  operation  ;  it  was  the  custom  to  administer  a  large 


10  DE.    WM.    T.    G.   MOETON. 

dose,  but  one  varied  accordiDg  to  the  age,  to  the  patient  a  short  time  previous 
to  the  commencement  of  the  operation ;  and,  if  grave,  it  was  never  begun  until 
the  effects  manifested  themselves.  Although  the  effect  was  never  pushed  to 
the  state  of  stupefaction,  and  consequently  a  great  degree  of  pain  could  be  felt, 
it  could  never  be  looked  upon  as  a  reliable  or  safe  agent.  The  uncertainty  of 
the  time  or  power  of  its  action  ;  the  delirious  excitement  which  it  often  occa- 
sioned instead  of  insensibility;  its  really  poisonous  properties,  and  the  subse- 
quent troubles  which  it  rendered"  liable — all  conspired  to  render  its  use  as  sel- 
dom as  possible,  and  then  only  for  extreme  cases. 

In  the  year  1828  M.  Girardin  read  a  letter  before  the  Academy  of  Medicine, 
addressed  to  his  Majesty  Charles  X.,  by  Mr.  Hickman,  of  London,  in  which  he 
asserted  that  he  could,  by  introducing  certain  gases  into  the  lungs  of  the  patient, 
perform  the  most  painful  and  dangerous  operations  without  his  feeling  it  in  the 
slightest  degree.  The  proposition  of  Mr.  Hickman  met  with  little  or  no  favor 
in  France,  and  even  in  England  all  the  experiments  made  by  him  were  attended 
with  very  poor  success. 

Nothing  is  known  with  certainty  as  to  the  gas  which  he  used.  Down  to  this 
time  the  great  discovery  had  not  been  made.  As  late  as  1839  M.  Velpeau 
wrote : 

"  To  escape  pain  in  surgical  operations  is  a  chimera  which  we  are  not  per- 
mitted to  look  for  in  our  day.  A  cutting  instrument  and  pain,  in  operative 
medicine,  are  two  words  which  never  present  themselves  the  one  without  the 
other,  in  the  mind  of  patients,  and  it  is  necessary  for  us  surgeons  to  admit  their 
association." 

But  there  has  been  and  there  continues  to  occur  many  cases  in  which  the 
pain  of  operations  was  alleviated,  if  not  entirely  destroyed,  by  stimulants,  by 
sedatives,  and  by  mental  preparation,  and  the  faculty,  with  little  faith  in  mes- 
merism, did  not  entirely  reject  even  it  in  practice.  It  was  very  common  opinion 
in  the  profession  that  pain  could  he  destroyed  in  surgical  operations,  while  it 
was  quite  clear  that  no  safe  and  certain  means  had  yet  been  found  to  effect  the 
object.  In  this  state  of  science  and  opinion  it  were  no  new  discovery  to  find 
and  prove  that  the  pain  of  an  operation  might  be,  in  some  cases,  alleviated  or 
destroyed  by  physical  appliances,  or  mental  preparation,  or  both  combined. 
The  desideratum  was  some  physical  appliance,  easy  to  be  administered,  and 
safe,  certain,  and  uniform  in  its  operation.  Nothing  short  of  this  could  be  re- 
ceived and  adopted  by  the  profession,  and  this  had  not  yet  been  discovered. 

In  1844  Mr.  James  Braid,  surgeon  of  Manchester,  England,  published  a  work 
entitled  "  Neurypnology  or  Hypnotism,  or  the  Rationale  of  Nervous  Sleep,  con- 
sidered in  relation  to  Animal  Magnetism."  He  claimed  in  this  work  to  have 
made  a  discovery  precisely  similar  to  that  claimed  by  M.  Rocca.  He  maintained 
that  the  chief  phenomenon  of  mesmerism,  the  state  of  catalepsy  or  insensibility, 
could  be  produced  in  most  persons  by  fixing  the  eyes  on  a  bright  point,  at  a 
given  distance,  before  and  above  the  eyes,  and  that  in  the  conditon  thus  pro- 
duced surgical  operations  could  be  performed  without  pain  to  the  patient.  The 
mesmerizers  replied  that  his  discovery  was  no  discovery  at  all ;  that  they  had 
long  been  familiar  with  the  phenomena  he  described,  which  did  not  at  all  in- 
validate the  claims  of  mesmerism.  And  they  declared  that  they  had  long  been 
in  the  habit  of  performing  painless  operations  upon  persons  in  the  state  of  cat- 
lepsy,  induced  by  mesmeric  influences.  In  a  book  entitled  the  "History  and 
Philoeophy  of  Animal  Magnetism,"  published  in  Boston  in  1843,  a  year  before 
Braid's  book  appeared,  we  find  the  following  statements: 

"Dr.  Shattuck,  of  Lowell,  has  been  very  successful  as  a  magnetizer,  and  has 
made  some  new  and  valuable  discoveries  in  the  science.  A  large  tumor  was 
extracted  from  the  shoulder  of  a  lady,  whom  he  had  magnetized  at  a  })ublic 
lecture  in  Lowell,  without  causing  the  slightest  pain.  The  incision  was  made 
to  the  depth  of  two  inches.     This  experiment  was  performed  under  the  direct 


DB.  WM.   T.   O.   MORTON.  11 

personal  inspection  of  three  or  four  other  physicians,  who  admitted  the  astonish- 
ing iris.iisihilily  of  the  patient.  Mr.  Silas  Allen,  of  Boston,  recently  maijn^-tized 
a  la«iy  who  had  broken  an  arm,  an<]  the  fracture  was  set  by  Dr.  llewctt  while 
she  w  s  in  this  state  without  pain.  In  this  state  some  persons  are  entirely  in- 
peiisiM.'  to  pain  in  every  part  of  th.'  body.  You  may  pierce  their  fleph  with 
knives,  pull  out  th»  ir  teeth,  cauterize  them  with  a  hot  iron,  apply  the  most 
powerful  caustic  to  their  tiesh,  or  give  them  an  electric  shock  whicih  would  cauao 
instant  death  in  the  natural  state,  but  they  appear  totally  unconscious  of  your 
attacks.  The  wonderful  insensibiliiy  of  some  persons  in  the  magnetic  state  has 
been  tested  by  exj>eriment8  which  jdace  the  fact  beyond  dispute.  Teeth  are 
every  day  extracted  while  the  patients  are  under  this  influence  without  pain. 
Tumors  have  beei  cut  out,  limbs  set,  and  other  painful  operations  performed, 
which  could  not  otherwise  be  endured." 

In  1799  Sir  Humphrey  Davy  commenced  experimenting  with  nilroits  oxide, 
II. »  -  ■  l.ility  of  destroying  i^hysical  pain,  and  that  it  might  "  prob- 

aM\  al   operations  in  which  no  great  effusion  of  blood  takes 

place."  liut  iht-ie  is  no  evidence  that  he  or  any  one  else  tested  this  theory  un- 
til quite  a  recent  date. 

Dr.  Martin  Gay,  in  1847,  says  : 

"An  attempt  was  made,  without  sucoess,  four  or  five  years  ago,  by  some  stu- 
dents at  Cambridge,  to  perform  the  operation  of  extracting  teeth  upon  one  or 
two  of  their  companions  who  were  uliderthe  influence  of  nitrous  oxide.  In  one 
instance  the  subject,  while  under  the  influence  of  the  gas,  made  his  escape,  and 
was  with  difticulty  caught.  A  peculiarly  pugnacious  state  of  feeling  had  been 
induced ;  certainly  not  the  condition  in  which  to  undergo  a  delicate  surgical 
operation."  Horace  Wells,  in  1844,  employed  it  for  producing  temporary  un- 
consciousness while  extracting  teeth,  and  found  it  to  produce  exhilaration  out  of 
proportion  to  its  anrcsthetic  properties,  and  the  hopes  founded  upon  it  proved 
nugatory  and  delusive,  but  we  shall  have  more  to  say  of  this  in  the  sequel.  In 
like  manner  faded  away  the  hopes  founded  upon  mesmerism.  Up  to  the  time 
we  are  writing,  and  two  or  three  years  later  exhibitions  of  the  nitrous  oxide  gas 
and  animal  magnetism  were  held  throughout  the  New  England  States  for  the 
purpose  of  amusement. 

Though  these  experiments  had  produced  no  safe,  efficacious,  and  unobjection- 
able means  of  performing  operations  without  pain,  they  afforded  daily  siimnlus 
to  those  experimenting  in  that  direction. 

Your  petitioner,  Wm.  T.  G.  Morton,  M.  D.,  attended  the  lectures  of  the  Mas- 
sachusetts Medical  College,  obtained  his  medical  degree  at  the  Washington  Uni- 
versity, Maryland.  Dr.  John  C.  Warren,  one  of  the  professors  who  delivered 
surgical  lectures  at  the  Massachusetts  Medical  College  at  this  period,  says  : 
"The  discovery  of  a  mode  of  preventing  pain  was  animally  alluded  to  in  his 
lectures.  Trials  were  made  with  all  the  plans  calculati^d  to  nfcompli^h  that 
end,  opiates   and   stimulants  were  given   freely,  and   '  with 

animal  magnetism  and  nitrous  oxide,  or  langhinjT  gas.    J ';      i  ,  y  as- 

wsted  in  demonstrating  the  utility  of  some  of  these  agents  before  the  Medical 
class  of  which  he  was  then  a  member. 

While  searching  for  something  to  supply  the  want  in  question,  a  young  lady, 
a  Miss  Parrot,  of  Gloucester,  came  under  his  care,  who  suffered  such  intense 
pain  in  the  tooth  that  endurance  seemed  impossible.  Among  a  lot  of  books 
which  Dr.  Morton  purchased  on  the  3d  of  May,  1845,  was  the  following,  which 
contained  in  a  condensed  form  what  was  known  by  the  profession  as  to  its  use 
in  medicine,  Pereira's  Materia  Medica,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  "  the  vapor  of 
ether  is  inhaled  in  spasmodic  asthma,  chronic  catarrh  and  dyspepsia,  hooping 
coufifh,  and  to  relieve  the  effects  caused  by  the  accidental  inhalation  of  chlorine 
gas!" 

"  When  the  vapor  of  ether,  sufficiently  diluted  with  atmospheric  air,  is  inhaled^ 


12  DR.  WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 

it  causes  irritation  about  the  epiglottis,  a  sensation  of  fullness  in  the  head,  and 
a  succession  of  effects  analogous  to  those  caused  by  the  protoxide  of  nitrogen, 
and  persons  peculiarly  susceptible  of  the  action  of  the  one  are  also  powerfully 
affected  by  the  other.  If  the  air  be  too  strongly  impregnated  with  ether,  stupe- 
faction ensues.  In  one  case  this  state  continued,  with  occasional  periods  of  in- 
termissiou,  for  more  than  thirty  hours ;  for  many  days  the  pulse  was  so  much 
lowered  that  considerable  fears  were  entertained  for  the  safety  of  the  patient. 
In  another  case,  an  apoplectic  condition,  which  continued  for  some  hours,  was 
produced." 

Another  book,  Hooper's  Medical  Dictionary,  under  the  head  of  Ether,  says : 
"  Applied  externally,  it  is  of  service  in  headache^  toothache^  and  other  painful 
affections.  *  *  *  *  If  it  be  prevented  from  evaporating  by  covering  the  place 
to  which  it  is  applied  closely  with  the  hand,  it  proves  a  powerful  stimulent  and 
rubefacient,  and  excites  a  sensation  of  burning  heat,  as  is  the  case  with  solutions 
of  camphor  in  alcohol  or  turpentine.  In  this  way  it  is  frequently  used  for  re- 
moving pains  in  the  head  or  teeth."  Dr.  Morton  applied  this  prescription  to 
the  diseased  tooth  of  his  patient  freely  and  often,  keeping  it  sealed  up  in  the 
hollow  tooth.  On  introducing  the  instrument  in  the  cavity  of  the  tooth  in  search  of 
the  sensitive  portion  of  the  bone,  he  found  the  patient  experienced  no  pain  what- 
ever, but  to  his  surprise  the  surrounding  parts  were  benumbed.  The  thought 
flashed  across  him,  if  one  part  can  thus  be  brought  under  the  influence  of  ether, 
why  not  the  whole  system?  He  was  in  a^situation  well  calculated  to  work  out 
this  problem.  At  this  period  he  was  attending  the  lectures  of  the  Massachusetts 
Medical  College.  It  was  formerly  the  annual  custom,  both  in  this  country  and 
in  Europe,  when  the  lecture  on  ether  and  gases  was  delivered  by  professors  in 
many  of  the  colleges,  to  put  a  little  ether  into  a  bladder  and  offer  the  students 
their  choice  to  inhale  ether  or  nitrous  oxide.  This  offer  was  accompanied  with 
a  statement  that  the  nitrous  oxide,  when  carried  to  the  same  extent,  was  safe, 
and  the  other  dangerous.  During  Dr.  Morton's  attendance  upon  the  lectures  of 
the  Medical  College,  nitrous  oxide  and  ether  were  both  lectured  upon,  aad  the 
effect  of  nitrous  oxide  exhibited  before  the  class,  he  taking  part  in  the  exhibi- 
tions. Instances  are  on  record  of  students  falling  flat  upon  the  floor  during  in- 
sensibility, produced  by  the  inhalation  of  ether  at  these  exhibitions.  Mr.  Metcalf, 
to  whose  testimony  we  shall  presently  refer,  communicated  to  Dr.  Morton  an 
account  of  his  administering  ether  to  a  person,  for  the  purpose  of  producing  ex- 
hilaration, who  became  exceedingly  wild,  and  in  his  struggles  severely  injured 
his  head,  and  yet  who,  after  the  subsidence  of  the  wild  state,  knew  nothing  of 
his  injury  until  his  attention  was  called  to  it.  These  facts,  taken  in  connexion 
with  the  observation  Dr.  Morton  had  made  of  the  effects  of  ether  sealed  up  in 
his  patient's  tooth,  was  calculated  to  arrest  attention.  They  presented  creden- 
tials which  had  a  right  to  be  examined.  Ether  had  a  right  to  be  tried,  candidly 
and  fairly  tested,  unless  it  could  be  shown  that  its  previous  bad  character  for- 
feited all  claim  to  further  consideration.  "What,  then,  was  its  previous  charac- 
ter? What  is  the  a  priori  evidence  respecting  the  danger  of  ether  on  the  one 
hand,  or  its  narcotic  power  on  the  the  other  ?  And  first,  the  danger  rests  mainly 
upon  the  evidence  of  a  iew  cases;  the  gentleman  in  Brande'a  Journal,  the  drug- 
gist's maid  servant,  and  the  young  man  of  the  Midland  Medical  and  Surgical 
Journal ;  to  which  may  be  added  the  experiments  of  Orfila  upon  dogs,  and 
Brodie  upon  Guinea  pigs. 

He  therefore  engaged  earnestly  and  diligently  in  the  study  of  its  properties, 
more  especially  the  effect  produced  by  its  inhalation.  The  current  knowledge 
on  the  subject  was  not  in  all  things  encouraging.  It  had,  doubtless,  many  times 
had  the  effect  of  producing  total  insensibility,  from  which  the  subjects  recovered 
without  injury,  but  in  some  cases  it  had  caused  death  ;  caution  was  therefore 
necessary  in  its  use,  and  success  uncertain.  The  student  in  pursuit  of  scientific 
discovery  leaves  but  few  traces  until  he  reaches  the  point  where  success  is  no 


DB,   WM.   O.   T,    MOBTON.  1ft 

longer  doubtful ;  the  fear  of  ridicule  in  ca«e  of  failure,  and  the  fear  of  rirals  in 
case  of  8UCCCM,  are  sufBcient  to  make  him  caatious  even  to  timidity.  One  saga- 
cious obeerver,  however,  discovered  Dr.  Mort<^>n'8  purpose  before  he  discloeed  it 
to  his  more  intimate  friends.    This  witness  is  the  son  of  *  tit  Ju<lge  Met- 

calf,  of  the  supreme  court  of  Massachusetts,  and  of  the  h    :  iraeter,  and  of 

responsible  scientific  attainments  ;  he  supplied  all  the  chemicals  for  the  city  in- 
stitutions of  Boston  and  Chelsea.  On  the  6th  day  of  July,  1846,  Mr.  Metcalf 
sailed  for  Europe,  in  the  ship  Joshua  Bates,  on  a  tour,  from  which  he  returned 
in  the  fall  of  1847.     The  story  is  best  told  by  himself. 

9th.  Did  you  ever  have  any  conversation  with  Dr.  William  T.  G.  Morton  on 
the  subject  of  the  properties  and  effects  of  ether  ?  If  yea,  when  was  it?  State 
particularly  ail  your  means  of  knowledge  as  to  the  date,  and  especially  as  to 
its  being  before  or  after  you  heard  of  the  ether  discovery,  and  before  or  after 
your  visit  to  Europe. 

Answer.  1  did  have  a  conversation  with  him  on  that  subject.  It  was  previous 
to  my  departure  for  Europe;  it  was  the  spring  or  early  summer  of  1846.  I 
know  it  was  previous  to  my  departure  for  Europe,  because,  when  I  saw  this  ac- 
count in  the  French  journal,  1  fixed  it  in  my  own  mind  that  Dr.  Morton  was 
the  man,  remembering  this  conversation  j  and  I  think  I  mentioned  it  to  per- 
sons who  were  with  me. 

11th.  Where  was  this  conversation  with  Dr.  Morton?  State  the  circum- 
stances folly,  and  all  that  was  said  or  dpne  on  either  side. 

Answer.  It  was  in  my  store  in  Tremont  street,  then  occupied  by  Mr.  Burnett. 
Dr.  Morton  came  in,  and  ha«^l  a  vial  tilled  with  sulphuric  ether.  While  he  had 
it  in  his  hands,  he  caine  to  me  and  asked  various  questions  with  regard  to  its 
qualities  and  medicinal  effects.  He  asked  with  regard  to  its  effects  when  in- 
haled. I  spoke  of  it  as  producing  the  same  effects  as  nitrous  oxide  gas  when 
inhaled ;  and  I  related  to  him  some  experiments  of  mine  in  taking  and  giving 
it  for  purposes  of  exhilaration.  I  stated  to  him  also  what  was  the  then 
general  belief,  that  if  inhaled  in  excessive  quantities  its  effects  would  l>e  dan- 
gerous, if  not  fatal. 

12th.  State  all  you  saw  or  did  with  reference  to  this  vial.  Describe  it.  How 
large  was  it?  What  did  you  do  to  it?  How  do  you  know  it  was  sulpheric 
ether  ?     Why  may  it  not  have  been  chloric  ether,  or  nitrous  oxide  f 

Answer.  Dr.  Morton  brought  it  in  the  vial  which  ho  had  filled.  Th-i  rial 
had  on  an  old  and  dirty  label, on  which  was  printed  sulj'huric  ether.  The  label 
was  not  put  on  at  the  time.  I  recollect  perfectly  well  having  the  vial  in  my 
hands,  and  uncorking  it  and  smelling  it.  It  was  a  two  or  four-ounce  vial,  as 
large  as  that.  1  know  it  was  sulphuric  ether,  and  no:  chloric  ether  or  nitrous 
oxide. 
»♦*♦*♦*♦♦• 

20th.  State  anything  which  Dr.  Morton  said,  or  asked,  tending  to  show  bis 
knowledge  or  ignorance  of  sulpheric  ether,  and  the  extent  therec»f. 

Answer.  I  can't  remember  any  particular  thing,  but  he  knew  something  about 
it,  as  was  manifest  from  his  questions.  The  questions  he  asked  showed  some 
knowledge  on  the  subject  When  he  went  away  he  knew  as  much  about  it  as 
I  did,  for  I  gave  him  all  the  information  which  I  had. 

8d.  Did  any  faci  by  you  cou^municated  to  Dr.  Morton,  or  any  statement 
made,  relate  to  the  prevention  of  pain  by  sulphuric  ether  in  surgifal  operations 
of  any  kind  ? 

Answer.  Nothing  from  me  of  that  kind.     I  mentioned  to  him  an  account  of 
a  person  who  had  injured  himself  while  under  the  inflaence  of  ether,  and  did 
not  know  that  he  had  been  hurt. 
*♦*♦♦*♦♦♦• 


14  DR.  WM.   T.   G.   MOETON. 

6th.  What  was  the  account  referred  to  by  you  of  a  man  who  did  not  know 
of  his  being  hurt? 

Answer.  In  giving  a  general  account  of  my  administering  ether,  I  spoke  of  a 
person  to  whom  I  had  given  it,  who  was  exceedingly  wild,  and  who  injured  his 
head  while  under  the  influence  of  it,  and  did  not  know,  when  he  got  over  the 
influence  of  the  ether,  that  he  had  hurt  himself  until  it  was  called  to  his  atten- 
tion.    This  was  not  a  new  fact^  but  was  well  known  at  the  time. 

'Zth.  You  have  spoken  of  stories  and  anecdotes  which  you  told  to  Dr.  Morton. 
Were  any  of  those  matters  from  your  own  experience  ?     If  aye,  what  ? 

Answer.  They  were  all  within  my  own  experience,  so  far  as  I  now  recollect. 
One  of  the  incidents  is  the  one  I  have  just  related.  Another  was  the  case  of  a 
man  with  whom  I  sat  up  all  night  while  under  the  influence  of  ether,  and  a 
good  many  ludicruous  things  occurred,  which  I  related  to  the  Doctor. 

8th.  Whether  or  not  you  told  Dr.  Morton  of  the  eflfect  which  the  ether  had 
on  those  persons  to  whom  it  had  been  given  by  you  ?  And  if  so,  what  did  you 
state  was  the  eflfect  of  the  ether  ? 

Answer.  The  two  preceeding  answers  will  answer  this.  I  stated  that  its 
general  efi*ect  was  exhilaration,  and  incidentally  I  mentioned  this  case  of  insen- 
sibility. 

•'  Answer.  There  are  many  kinds  of  ether,  or  several  kinds  and  qualities,  vary- 
ing in  name.  He  said  nothing  to  me  about  the  ether  in  his  hands  not  serving 
his  purpose.  The  information  was  all  on  my  side,  though  he  showed  by  his 
questions  that  he  knew  something  of  its  nature. 

10th.  Whether  or  not  the  questions  referred  to  by  you  in  your  answer  to  the 
20th  interrogatory,  were  or  were  not  such  as  any  one  familiar  with  Dr.  Wells 
and  his  experiments,  and  interested  in  the  same,  would  or  might  have  asked 
for? 

Answer.  At  the  time  those  questions  were  asked  I  did  not  know  that  there 
was  anything  then  in  them  more  than  any  person  interested  in  the  subject  might 
have  asked,  but  subsequent  events,  connected  with  my  recollection  of  his  man- 
ner, have  given  me  the  impression  that  he  was  then  seeking  for  this  object 
which  has  been  attained — the' anaesthetic  efi'ect. 

If  we  consider  tha  then  pursuit  of  Dr.  Morton,  his  earnest  desire  for  informa- 
tion, and  his  anxiety  to  preserve  his  secret,  his  shyness  with  others,  and  his 
comparative  freedom  in  conversation  with  Mr.  Metcalf,  will  be  fully  explained. 
Mr.  Metcalf  was  a  chemist  possessed  of  all  the  current  scientific  knowledge  of 
his  profession,  and  he  was  just  setting  out  on  a  voyage  to  Europe,  so  that  Dr. 
Morton  could  avail  himself  of  his  knowledge  and  his  suggestions  with  safety  to 
his  secret. 

Joseph  M.  Wightman,  present  mayor  of  the  city  of  Boston,  a  gentleman  who 
has  been  in  the  habit  of  giving  experimental  lectures  on  science,  since  1837, 
and  on  all  the  various  branches  of  natural  philosophy,  states  in  his  deposition 
as  follows  : 

9th.  When  Dr.  Morton  asked  you  if  the  India-rubber  bags  would  hold  ether, 
did  he  mention  what  kind  of  ether  he  was  inquiring  about?  What  was  it? 
Are  you  sure  ?  and  why  ? 

Answer.  I  asked  him,  when  he  asked  me  the  question,  "if  it  was  sulpheric 
«5ether."  He  said  it  was.  I  am  sure,  because  of  the  subsequent  conversation 
with  him  of  the  effect  of  the  ether  in  softenpg  the  bags.  I  knew  of  no  other 
kind  of  ether  which  would  have  that  eff"ect.  When  he  asked  me  about  the 
efi'ect  of  ether  upon  the  bags,  my  first  question  to  him  was,  "  I  suppose  you 
mean  sulphuric  ether,"  and  he  replied  "that  he  meant  the  common  ether."  I 
think  these  were  his  words. 

Answer.  The  conversation  in  relation  to  the  subject  was  more  extended  in 
relation  to  the  eflfecta  of  mesmerism  and  ether  at  that  time,  than  I  have  indi- 


DR.   WM.    T.   a.    MOBTON.  %f 

c!i\(^t\  in  vnr  previou«  jin«»wpni — not  only  the  tulij^nt  of  mcfmeriun  aru!  th$^{9f 

•lier  was  tpokfO   oC     I 
»  -ts  of  breathing  cth«r 

fr^Mn  H  li  Ted  t'»  III  my  answer   to  twentyfirHt   interroiratory, 

Ht  till'  i\v\  ion  with  him  about  tlic  IndiM-ruhhtr  hags;   1  think 

it  was  also  at  this  intervieiw  that  tho  irapre-^ion  wis  ma<Je  upon  my  rniLcJ  that 
Dr.  Morton  was  seeking  for  some  in»  tho<l  to  draw  teeth  without  pain. 

Ere  thi«i,  his  intimate  friends  and  the  vouns;  men  in  his  office  knew  he  waa 
engaged  iu  devising  or  perfecting  some  important  improvement  in  dentistry. 

Boston,  i/circA  25,  1847. 

I,  Francis  Whitman,  of  Boston,  in  the  county  of  Suffolk,  and  State  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, student  at  dentistry,  on  onih  depose  and  say : 

That  I  Have  often  heard  Dr.  Morten  speak  about  discovering  some  means  of 
extract ing  teetli  without  pain.  This  discovery  appeared  to  be  the  subject  of 
bis  thoughts  and  investigations  during  the  greater  part  of  last  year,  ».  <> ,  1846. 
Ore  day,  I  tliink  it  was  previous  to  July,  1846,  Dr.  M.,  in  speak'"  im- 

provements he  had  made  in  his  profession,  and  of  some  one  inr  nt  io 

particular,  said  if  he  could  only  extract  teeth  without  pain,  he  "would  make  a 
stir."  I  replied  that  I  hardly  thought  it  could  be  done.  He  said  be  l>elieved  it 
could,  and  that  he  would  find  out  8r)mething  yet  to  accomplish  his  purpose.  In 
a  conversation  with  Dr.  M.,  some  time  in  July,  he  spoke  of  having  his  patients 
come  in  at  one  door,  having  all  their  teeth  extracted  without  pain  and  without 
knowing  it,  and  then  going  into  the  next  room  and  having  a  full  set  put  in. 

I  recollect  Dr.  Morton  cam^  into  the  office  one  day  in  gre;it  glee,  and  ex- 
claimed that  he  had  "found  it,"  and  that  he  could  extract  teelh  without  pain  I 
T  don*t  recollect  what  followed  ;  but  soon  after  he  want^-d  one  of  us  in  the 
office  to  try  it,  and  lie  then  sent  William  and  Thomas  out  to  hire  a  man  to  come 
in  and  have  an  experiment  tried  upon  him. 

I  told  Dr.  Morton  I  knew  what  it  was  that  William  had  bought,  and  said  it 
was  chloric  ether.  Dr.  M.  then  sii.l  he  wished  to  know  if  ether  would  dissolve 
India-rubber,  and  sent  William  P.  Le  ivitt  to  inquire  of  Dr.  Gay  if  it  wcmld. 

About  this  time  Dr.  M.  asked  mo  to  get  the  books  on  chemistry  and  find 
what  they  said  about  ether.  I  did  so,  and  read  it  over  to  him,  and  I  think  he 
went  to  Burnett's  to  see  if  he  could  not  find  something  there. 

Extracts  from  the  testimoni/  of  Dr.  William  P.  Levitt^  of  Boston. 

Answer.  I  commenced  studying  dentistry  with  Dr.  Morton  in  March,  1846, 
I  believe,  and  was  there  nearly  three  years. 

8th.  What  did  you  first  know  Dr.  Morton  to  say  or  do  about  ether?  State 
all  you  recollect,  in  its  order,  with  all  the  circ:;  -. 

Answer.  The  first  which  I  heard  of  ether  w  .  liately  after  my  return 

from  the  country.  It  was  the  first  "f  July,  1846.  The  first  I  heard,  I  believe, 
was  when  I  was  sent  atter  some  to  Brewer,  Stevens  «fe  Gushing.  I  heard  Dr. 
Morton  ask  Dr.  Ilayden  where  he  «;ould  procure  some  pure  ether;  this  was  in 
the  back  office.  Uayden  told  hitn  that  he  could  get  it,  probably,  at  Brewer, 
Stevens  <&  Cushiog's,  on  Washington  street.  He  then  spoke  to  me,  and  asked 
me  to  go  down,  take  a  demijohn  and  get  it  filled,  and  be  careful  and  not  let 
them  know  who  it  was  for.  I  went  down  and  bought  the  ether,  and,  to  make 
sure,  I  told  him  to  make  the  bill  out  for  the  ether  in  the  name  of  some  man  in 
the  country.  I  forget  what  name  I  gave  him.  He  did  do  it,  and  gave  it  to 
me,  and  I  returned  to  Dr.  Morton  ;  I  gave  the  ether  to  him.  Soon  after  that 
he  sent  me  to  Dr.  Gay's  to  ask  him  if  elher  would  dissolve  India-rubber;  I 
went,  and  did  not  find  the  place,  and  returned. 

10th.  What  was  the  next  you  saw  or  knew  Dr.  Morton  to  do  about  ether? 

Answer.  The  next  I  heard  of  it  he  aent  me  and  Thomas  R.  Spear  to  find  a 


16  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

man  to  have  a  tooth  extracted  under  the  influence  of  the  ether.  He  told  me 
he  would  give  me  five  dollars  if  I  would  find  a  man  to  take  the  ether  and  have 
a  tooth  extracted.  I  went  out  with  Thomas  R.  Spear  for  that  purpose,  but  I 
did  not  find  one ;  I  went  down  on  the  wharves,  City  wharf,  and  Faneuil  Hall 
market.  He  wanted  a  big  Irishman,  he  said,  a  full,  robust  man,  to  whom  he 
could  give  a  good  quantity.  I  returned,  and  reported  so  to  Dr!  Morton.  Be- 
fore this  he  had  tried  to  induce  me  to  inhale  the  ether.  He  asked  me  to  take 
it,  and  said  it  was  perfectly  harmless ;  that  he  had  taken  it  himself.  I  declined 
doing  it.  He  tried  to  hire  Spear  to  take  it  in  my  presence.  Dr.  Morton  offered 
him  some  money;  it  was  five  or  eight  dollars.  Spear  said  he  would  take  it  at 
the  time,  I  believe,  but  afterwards  concluded  not  to. 

44th.  I  wish  you  to  describe  the  proceedings  of  yours  and  Spear's  in  taking 
ether  on  this  evening  you  have  spoken  of.  ,< 

Answer.  I  had  charge  of  the  front  room,  and  Spear,  I  think,  had  charge  of 
the  back  room.  I  most  generally  took  care  of  my  room  in  the  evening  after 
folks  had  gone  out  and  Spear  was  present.  He  got  hold  of  the  demijohn  in 
some  way  or  other,  and  said,  "  PU  take  some  ether,  will  you  ? "  He  took  out 
his  handkerchief  sat  down  in  the  chair,  took  down  the  demijohn,  and  turned 
some  on.  He  sat  back  in  the  chair,  and  held  the  handerchief  up  to  his  face, 
and  began  to  inhale  it.  He  appeared  to  fall  nearly  asleep ;  he  would  quite,  I 
think,  if  he  kept  still,  if  it  had  not  excited  him  so.  I  think  I  told  him  if  he  ' 
would  inhale  it  through  his  mouth  it  would  affect  him  much  quicker  and  much 
pleasanter ;  that  it  would  not  excite  him  so  much  as  it  would  to  draw  it  through 
his  nostrils.  I  sat  down  in  the  chair,  and  took  the  cup  which  I  mentioned  with 
the  sponge  in  it.  I  told  Spear  that  I  would  take  it  if  he  would  leave  the  room, 
as  I  was  afraid  he  would  cut  up  some  capers  (he  was  so  lively)  if  I  got  asleep. 
I  shut  myself  into  the  room,  sat  back  in  the  chair,  and  began  to  inhale  it. 

45th.  Did  Spear,  when  he  inhaled  the  ether  on  an  evening,  when,  as  you  say, 
you  and  he  inhaled  it,  move  from  the  chair  in  which  he  was  seated  ? 

Answer.  He  did  not  move  while  he  was  inhaling  it,  net  until  he  dropped  the 
handkerchief;  then  he  jumped  up,  and  was  very  much  excited ;  he  jumped 
round  considerably ;  I  did  not  hold  him.  It  was  a  minute  after  he  put  the 
handkerchief  to  his  nose  before  these  efi'ects  showed  themselves. 

On  the  30th  of  June,  1846,  three  months  before  the  discovery  was  made 
public,  it  appears,  by  the  statement  of  Richard  H.  Dana,  jr.,  attorney  at  law, 
and  by  a  charge  in  his  books,  that  an  article  of  agreement  was  entered  into  by 
Doctor  Morton  and  G.  G.  Hayden,  by  which  the  latter  agreed  to  take  charge  of 
the  business  of  Doctor  Morton  for  a  time ;  Doctor  Morton  giving  to  Mr.  Dana 
as  a  reason  of  his  entering  into  the  arrangement,  that  he  wished  to  give  his 
attention  to  aaother  matter  of  great  importance,  which,  if  successful,  would 
revolutionize  the  practice  of  dentistry. 

This  conversation  was  shortly  after  detailed  by  Richard  H.  Dana,  jr.,  to  Doc- 
tor Francis  Dana,  jr.,  whose  corroborative  evidence  puts  the  substance  of  the 
conversation  beyond  question,  and  the  date  is  fixed  by  that  of  the  instrument 
and  the  entry  above  referred  to. 

Grenville  G.  Hayden  testifies  "  that,  about  the  last  of  June,  1846,  Doctor 
William  T.  G.  Morton  called  upon  me  at  my  ofiice.  No.  23  Tremont  Row,  and 
stated  to  me  that  he  wished  to  make  some  arrangements  with  me  that  would 
relieve  him  from  all  care  as  to  the  superintendence  of  those  employed  by  him 
in  making  teeth,  and  all  other  matters  in  his  office.  He  stated,  as  a  reason  for 
urging  me  to  superintend  his  aff'airs  in  his  office,  that  he  had  an  idea  in  his 
head,  connected  with  dentistry,  which  he  thought  *would  be  one  of  the  greatest 
things  ever  known,*  and  that  he  wished  to  perfect  it,  and  give  his  whole  time  and 
attention  to  its  development.  Being  extremely  urgent  in  the  matter,  I  made  an 
engagement  with  him  the  same  day,  according  to  his  request.  I  then  asked 
him  what  his  'secret'  was.     *0h/  said  he,  'you  will  know  in  a  short  time.'     I 


DR.  WM.  T.   O.   MORTON.  W 

BtiU  insisted  upon  knowing  it,  and  he  finally  told  roe  the  same  night,  to  wit,  the 
night  of  the  last  day  o(  June,  1846,  aforesAia,  that  *  it  was  soinethiog  he  had  dis- 
covere4  which  would  enable  him  to  extract  teeth  without  pain.*  I  then  asked 
hiin  if  it  was  not  what  Doctor  Wei  Is,  his  former  partner,  had  used,  and  he  re- 
plied, 'No !  noihing  like  it;  ^  anil,  furthermore, '  that  it  was  something  that  neither 
he  nor  any  one  else  had  over  used.*  He  then  told  me  he  had  already  tried  it 
upon  a  dog,  and  describet:!  its  cflfects  upon  him,  which  (from  his  discription)  ex- 
actly correspond  with  the  effects  of  ether  upon  persons  who  have  subje^jted 
themselves  to  its  influence,  under*  my  observation.  All  this  happened  in  June, 
1846.    lie  the«  requested  me  not  to  mention  wliat  he  had  communicated  to  me. 

"  About  a  niunth  after  this,  or  th«  first  of  August,  1846,  Doctor  Morton  asked 
me  where  he  could  get  some  pure  ether,  and  asked  me  to  go  to  Joseph  Bur- 
nett's apothecary  shop,  and  |)«rchase  a  four-ounce  vial  full  of  ether,  which  he 
Baid  he  wished  to  taary  home  with  him,  he  being  about  to  leave  town  for  Need- 
ham,  where  he  theo  resided.  And  about  the  same  time  he  explained  to  me 
the  nature  and  effects  of  ether,  «uid  told  me  that  if  he  could  get  any  patient  to 
inhale  a  certain  quantity  of  «ther  gas,  it  would  cause  insensibility  to  the  pain 
of  extracting  teet^i,  and  »e  tiwd  to  induce  me  to  take  it.  Doctor  Morton  said 
he  had  breathed  it  himself^  and  it  would  do  no  harm ;  and  he  at  the  same  time 
tried  to  induce  three  yowng  men  in  the  office  to  take  the  gas.  This  was  in 
August,  184^.  lie  was  continually  talking  about  his  discovery  to  me.  From 
Ibe  time  I  engaged  with  Doctor  Morton,  as  aforesaid,  he  frequently  stated  to 
«M  that  he  had  nearly  perfected  every  department  in  dentistry,  save  extracting 
;teeth  without  pain,  and  that  he  was  determined  to  accomplish  that  also.  But 
towards  the  last  of  September  following,  he  intimated  to  me  that,  in  some  par- 
ticulars, his  discovery  did  not  work  exactly  right,  and,  in  my  presence,  was 
tsonsulting  his  books  to  ascertain  something  further  about  ether." 

Doctor  A,  A,  Gould,  a  member  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sci- 
ences, the  AraericAn  Philosophical  Society,  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences 
of  Philadelphia,  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History,  and  the  Imperial  Min- 
^ralogical  Society  of  St.  Petersburgh,  in  his  deposition  l-  iiifies  as  follows: 

Crou-interrofatories  by  A.  Jaeksoji,  jr.^  esq.,  counsel  for  Doctor   Charles  T, 

Jadcson. 

"  lltK  Will  you  please  state  when,  and  under  what  circumstiiu'^ea,  you  firtt 
had  any  knowlet]<;e  of  Doctor  Morton  f 

*'  Answer.  I  iia.]  heard  Doctor  Jackson  speak  of  him  as  a  student ;  but  my  first 
personal  knowledge  of  him  was  in  August  or  September,  1846,  when  he  called 
to  request  permission  from  me  to  place  ray  name,  as  a  reference,  on  his  card. 

**  14th.  Will  you  please  state  what  he  said  about  destroying  pain  ? 

"Answer.  Ad  near  as  I  can  recollect,  he  said,  "and  I  will  have  some  way 
yet  by  which  I  will  perform  my  operatioui  without  pain."  I  smiled,  and  told 
nim  if  he  could  eff'ect  that,  he  would  do  more  than  human  wisdom  had  yet 
-done,  or  than  I  expected  it  would  ever  do." 

From  this  testimony,  corroborative  of  the  statement  of  Dr.  Morton,  it  does, 
ift  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  sufficiently  appear  that  he  was,  prior  and 
sBubsequent  to  the  30th  June,  1846,  intent  upon  the  discovery  of  some  anaea- 
thetic  agent  which  would  enable  him  to  extract  teeth  without  pain,,  and  tha  he 
Lad  faith  and  confidence  that  he  was  on  the  point  of  making  the  discovery. 
He  says  in  his  narrative  that  the  anaesthetic  agent  which  be  then  had  in  view 
^v  1.  <  '  liuric  ether,  and  the  proof  adduced  is,  in  the  opinion  of  your  com- 
.     jually  conclusive  in  support  of  that  fact. 

lu  the  early  part  of  August  he  communicated  to  Dr.  Hayden  the  material 
used,  and  the  course  of  his  experiments  had  exhausted  his  supply  of  ether.  He 
requested  Dr.  Hayden,  during  the  early  part  of  August,  to  procure  him  t  freah 
Bep.  Com.  80 2 


UB  BR.   WM.   T.    a.   MORTON. 

quantity  from  tbe  store  of  Mr.  Joseph  Burnett,  and  proposed  that  he  should 
inhale  it,  stating  at  the  same  time  that  he  had  already  used  it  several  times; 
but  the  proposed  inhalation  Dr.  Hayden  respectfully  declined. 

This  last  supply  procured  was  taken  to  the  country.  As,  one  day,  he  was 
giving  it  to  his  former  patient,  (the  spaniel,)  the  animal,  intoxicated,  sprang 
against  the  jar,  breaking  the  glass,  and  spilling  all  its  contents  but  a  small 
quantity.  Morton,  soaking  his  handlierchief  in  the  portion  which  remained, 
applied  it  to  his  own  mouth  and  nostrils,  and  by  deep  inspirations  inhaled  the 
vapor.  Soon  a  feeling  of  lassitude  came  over  him,  followed  by  a  complete  but 
very  momentary  state  of  unconsciousness,  as  he  states:  "I  am  firmly  convinced 
that  at  that  time  a  tooth  could  have  been  dravrn  with  no  feeling  of  pain  or  con- 
sciousness." This  was  the  first  real  verification  of  the  theory  on  mau — but  on 
himself.     Now  it  remained  to  corroborate  it  upon  others. 

This  promised  fair,  but  he  was  not  yet  satisfied.  Before  attempting  its  use 
in  public,  he  tried  another  and  more  decisive  experiment  on  himself,  which  he 
thus  describes  in  his  memoir  to  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  at  Paris, 
and  which  was  presentad  by  M.  Arago  : 

"Taking  the  tube  and  flask,  I  shut  myself  up  in  my  room,  seated  myself  in 
the  operating  chjrir,  and  commenced  iDhaUng,  I  found  the  ether  so  strong  that 
it  partially  suffocated  me,  but  produced  no  decided  effect.  I  then  saturated 
my  handkerchief  and  inhaled  it  from  that.  I  looked  at  my  watch,  and  soon 
lost  consciousness.  As  I  recovered  I  felt  a  numbness  in  my  limbs,  with  a  sen- 
sation like  nightmare,  and  would  have  given  the  world  for  some  one  to  come 
and  arouse  me.  I  thought  for  a  moment  I  should  die  in  that  state,  and  the 
world  would  only  pity  or  ridicule  my  folly.  At  length  I  felt  a  slight  tingling 
of  the  blood  in  the  end  of  my  third  finger,  and  made  an  effort  to  touch  it  with 
my  thumb,  but  without  success.  At  a  second  effort  I  touched  it,  but  there 
seemed  to  be  no  sensation.  I<gradually  raised  my  arm  and  pinched  my  thigh, 
but  I  could  see  that  sensation  was  imperfect.  I  attempted  to  rise  from  my  chair, 
but  fell  back.  Gradually  I  regained  power  over  my  limbs  and  full  conscious- 
ness. I  immediately  looked  at  my  watch,  and  found  that  I  had  been  insensible 
between  seven  and  eight  minutes. 

■  "Delighted  with  the  success  of  this  experiment,  I  immediately  announced 
the  result  to  the  persons  employed  in  my  establishment,  and  waited  impatiently 
for  some  one  upon  whom  I  cduld  make  a  fuller  trial.  Toward  evening  a  man, 
residing  in  Boston,  came  in,  suff^^ring  great  pain,  and  wishing  to  have  a  tooth 
extracted.  He  was  afraid  of  the  operation,  and  asked  if  he  could  be  mesmer- 
ized. I  told  him  I  had  something  better,  and  saturating  my  handkerchief,  gave 
it  to  him  to  inhale.  He  became  unconscious  almost  immediately.  It  was  dark, 
and  Dr.  Hayden  held  the  lamp,  while  I  extracted  a  firmly-rooted  biscuspid  tooth. 
There  was  not  much  alteration  in  the  pulse,  and  no  relaxation  of  the  muscles. 
He  recovered  in  a  minute,  and  knew  nothing  of  what  had  been  done  to  him.  He 
remained  for  some  time  talking  about  the  experiment.  *  This  was  on  the  30th 
of  September,  1846.  This  I  consider  to  be  the  first  demonstration  of  this  new 
fact  in  science. ' 

The  former  report  thus  alludes  to  that  experiment: 

The  special  circumstances  attendant  on  this  first  actual  experiment  were  moat 
fortunate  for  Dr.  Morton,  for  the  cause  of  surgical  science,  and  for  the  human 
race.  The  patient,  owing  to  his  intense  suffering,  was  glad  to  avail  himself  'of 
anything,  real  or  imaginary,  to  relieve  the  pain  which  he  felt  and  to  mitigate 
that  which  he  feared.  He  therefore  inhaled  the  vapor  freely,  and,  delighted  with 
the  soothing  lenitive,  he  continued  to  inhale  it  eagerly  until,  anaesthesia  being 
complete,  he  had  forgotten  his  past  sufferings  and  was  beyond  the  reach  of 
present  pain.  He  was  Ji  man  of  vigorous  constitution;  he  immediately  rallied, 
unconscious  of  the  operation  which  had  been  performed  and  wholly  relieved 
from  the  pain  which  so  latelj  afflicted  him.     If,  in  his  stead,  the  boy  who  sick- 


..^.^A  ,„;»],  the  inhalation,  and  whose  parents,  bel^-vin-r  Mm  n.^isoued,  thr«»atened 

on,  had  been  th«  first  subject,  the  ex;  Id  probably  have 

;mim'  ii<»  lurther;  Dactor  Morton  would  have  b.-.i,  w\fi  wm  iiut!<l  with  censure 

md  ridicule,  aud   we  do   not  thiuk  that  either  of  the  coDtestauls  would  have 

in  to  assert  his  cl.iim  tc    '       '  of  the  failure.     Considerinijf  the  re- 

r  i<«  Tint  H  mailer  of  surp.  ir  Morton  was  elate  with  his  success. 

II  V  announced  it  to  tliose  about  him,  tlioutjli  he  concealed  from 

t  ;  llaydea,  tlie  agent  with  which   .I'TPsthcsia   Iwid   been  eff.>oted. 

JI.'  iiuiJi    .1  r    !y  t.btained  tiie  certifi'-.ite  of  I  '        L,  the  subject  of  liis  experi- 

iiurit,  ;iiil  *':iMilted  with  Doctor  llayden  at  lug  his  pain-subduing  vapor 

in  hospital  practice. 

Doctor  Ilenry  I.  Bigelow,  professor  of  surgery  in  the  Massachusetts  Me<lical 
College,  a  nieinher  of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Science,  the  Boston 
S(x;iety  for  Medical  Improvement,  an  honorary  member  of  the  Anatomical  So- 
ioty  of  Paris,  corresponding  member  of  the  liiological  Society  of  Paris,  in  hia 
work  on  other  and  chloroform,  thus  alludes  to  the  condition  of  the  discovery 
at  this  period  : 

**  Towards  nine  o'clock  the  inmates  of  the  establishment  were  aroused  by  the 
arrival  of  a  patieiit.  Yet  he,  recognizing  in  the  dental  art  only  the  substitution 
gf  one  pain  for  another,  despairingly  iuquired  if  mesmerism  was  not  available 
)0  such  ordeals.  Here,  then,  was  the  long-wished-for  opportunity,  and  com- 
plete uncons«-iousness  crowned  the  experiment  with  success.  It  is  quite  proba- 
ole  that  the  world  will  not  remember  who  this  individual  was,  and  yet  it  is 
true  that  the  whole  discovery  of  which  we  are  now  speaking  exhibited  its  first 
Authentic  eflort  when  it  annulled  the  pain  accompanying  the  lesion  of  the  little 
nerve  that  animated  his  defective  molar. 

\  "  It  is  worth  while  here  to  ask,  what  was  the  position  of  the  discovery  at  this 
time!  A  tooth  had  been  painlessly  drawn,  and,  at  a  previous  time,  an  irritation 
of  the  pulmonary  air-tubes  had  been  alleviated,  with  allege*!  insensibility,  by 
the  inhalation  of  a  subtile  vapor.  Here  were  two  facts,  insufficient  for  the 
m—  "  \  generalization,  circumscribed  in  their  bearing  and  showing,  not  that 
e\  >ix  could  be  a  affected  in  a  similar  manner,  bearing  not  upon  vitality  at 

large,  bot  upon  two  specimens  of  it,  as  modified  in  these  two  individuals;  and 
proving,  at  the  most,  that  animal  vitality  could  be  thus  aff"ected  in  two  instances; 
and  not  that  it  could  be  so  in  all  instances.  Besides  this,  the  wholly  ditierent 
question  of  danger  was  not  yet  touclied  by  evidence.  If  these  two  cases  showed 
that  insensibility  could  be  thus  affected  without  danger,  two  or  three  previous 
oases  showed,  with  equal  clearness,  that  insensibility  produ<ed  death.  Knowl- 
edge, at  this  point,  rested  upon  a  few  hypothetical  facts.  I  contest  had  I  been 
then  asked  what  inference  1  considered  safe,  I  should  have  replied,  'you  hire 
succec'led  in  two  instances  only ;  and,  in  view  of  the  previous  evidence  upon 
this  subject,  it  is  qnitc  likely  that  in  two  more  instances  either  you  will  fail  to 
produce  insensibility,  or,  having  produced  it,  your  patients  will  die.*  This  seems 
to  me  the  i  ^  •    hision  upon   previous  evidence;   and  that  this 

was  the  fi.  .-  ^e   who  had    knowledge   in   such  matters  will 

be  well  rciunubeied  by  many.  I  cite  only  the  opinion  of  a  distinguished 
ohemist  in  a  neighboring  city,  who,  after  one  or  two  facts  of  insensibility,  coun- 
selled his  son  nc»t  to  risk  his  health  upon  it.  Also  a  letter  from  Sir  Bet.jamin 
Brodie,  one  of  the  distinguished  experimenters  in  physiology  of  twenty  years 
•go,  who,  in  full  view  of  all  the  facts  that  were  borne  across  the  Atlantic,  at  the 
first  announcemeat  of  the  discovery,  and  after  reflection,  still  wrote  to  Doctor 
Chambers:  *I  had  heard  of  this  before.  The  narcotic  properties  of  inhaled 
ether  have  been  long  known,  and  I  have  tried  it  on  Guinea  pigs,  whom  it  first 
•et  asleep  and  then  killed.     One  question  is,  whether  it  can  be  used  wiihs  afety.' 

"This  was  indeed  the  one  great  question  now  to  be  decided.  Another  ques- 
pofi  was,  can  insensibility  be  produced  in  all  cases  ?    Let  these  questions  be  am- 


20  DR.  WM.   T.   G.   MORTON, 

swered  affirmatively,  and  the  surgeon  would  be  justified  in  multiplying^  experi- 
ments, while  the  ralue  of  the  discovery  would  be  infinitely  enhanced. 

"  To  settle  these  important  questions,  many  instances  of  insensibility  were 
needed,  which  were  not  long  in  off*ering  themselves  to  the  tenant  of  a  largely 
frequented  dental  establishment.  Each  new  trial  added  evidence  in  geometrical 
proportion,  while  the  absence  of  serious  mishap  encouraged  hope. 

"  Here  is  a  second  point  in  the  discovery,  and  I  consider  a  second  proposition 
to  have  been  now  pretty  well  demonstrated.  This  was,  not  that  ether  might 
produce  insensibility  during  the  extraction  of  a  tooth,  ar.<!  that  the  state  of 
somnolence  might  be  unattended  with  danger,  but  that  it  could  always  produce 
insensibility,  and  that  the  danger  was  comparatively  slight. 

"  Brief  inhalation  may  be  considered  as  fairly  tested,  and  the  discovery  fairly 
demonstrated,  in  this  rapid  and  multiplied  experience. 

"Analogy,  the  degree  of  insensibility,  and  its  superficial  extent,  rendered  it 
quite  probable  that  such  insensibility  would  prove  complete  and  universal. 
An  experimentum  crucis  could  alone  determine  such  a  point ;  nor  was  it  long 
delayed." 

This  public  experiment,  and  the  circumstances  attending,  are  proved  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  your  committee.     Dr.  Morton  goes  on  to  say  : 

"Afterwards  I  made  several  additional  experiments  in  my  office,  with  various 
success.  I  administered  it  to  a  boy,  but  it  produced  no  other  effect  than  sick- 
ness, with  vomiting,  and  the  boy  was  taken  home  in  a  coach  and  pronounced, 
by  a  physician,  to  be  poisoned.  His  friends  were  excited  and  threatened  pro- 
ceedings against  me.  A  notice  of  my  successful  experiment  having,  without 
my  knowledge,  got  into  the  papers,  several  persons  called,  wishing  to  have  it 
administered.  I  gave  it  to  a  lady,  but  it  produced  no  other  eff'ect  than  drowsi- 
ness ;  and  when  breathed  through  the  apparatus  it  produced  suffocation.  I 
was  obliged  to  abandon  this  mode  and  try  the  globe,  and  procured  one  from 
Mr.  Wightman.  Placing  a  saturated  sponge  in  the  larger  end  she  breathed 
through  that.  In  this  way  she  seemed  to  be  in  an  unnatural  state,  but  con- 
tinued talking,  and  refused  to  have  the  tooth  extracted.  I  made  her  some 
trifling  offer,  to  which  she  assented,  and  I  drew  the  tooth,  without  any  indica- 
tion of  pain  on  her  part,  not  a  muscle  moving^.  Her  pulse  was  at  90,  her  face 
much  flushed,  and  after  coming  to  she  remaiii  d  along  time  excessively  drowsy. 
From  this  experiment  I  became  satisfied  of  what  is  now  well  proved,  that  con- 
sciousness will  sometimes  remain  after  insensibility  to  pain  is  removed. 

"  I  afterwards  gave  it  to  a  Miss  L.,  a  lady  of  about  twenty-five.  The  effect 
upon  her  was  rather  alarming.  She  sprang  up  from  the  chair,  leaped  into  the 
air,  screamed,  and  was  held  down  with  difficulty.  When  she  came  to  she  was 
unconscious  of  what  had  passed,  but  was  willing  to  have  it  administered  again, 
which  I  did  with  perfect  success,  extracting  two  molar  teeth.  Aft.er  this  I  tried 
several  other  experiments,  some  with  more  and  some  with  less  success,  giving 
my  principal  attention  to  the  perfecting  of  my  modes  of  administering  it." 

The  public  notice  which  had  been  drawn  to  these  trials  by  the  publication  in 
the  newspapers  induced  many  to  visit  his  office  as  patients,  and  from  motives 
of  curiosity  or  interest ;  among  them  Dr.  Henry  J.  Bigelow,  the  eminent  sur- 
geon, from  whose  notes  the  following  cases  were  taken,  and  are  good  examples 
of  the  usual  results  produced  by  the  inhalation  of  ether,  and  of  the  feelings  and 
expressions  of  patients  under  its  influence. 

"A  boy  of  sixteen,  of  medium  stature  and  strength,  was  seated  in  the  chair. 
The  first  few  inhalations  occasioned  a  quick  cough,  which  afterwards  subsided ; 
at  the  end  of  eight  minutes  the  head  fell  back  and  the  arms  dropped,  but, 
owing  to  some  resistance  in  opening  the  mouth,  the  tooth  could  not  be  reached 
before  he  awoke.  He  again  inhaled  for  two  minutes,  and  slept  three  minutes, 
during^  which  time  the  tooth,  an  inferior  molar,  was  extracted.  At  the  moment 
of  extraction  the  features  assumed  an  expression  of  pain,  and  the  hand  was 


DR,  WM,  T.    a.    MOBTOli,  21 

raised.     Up  '  ■  bad  haj  a  *fir«t-rAte  dream — very 

uuiet/ be  »  «  ^-        •'> — bad  not  the  ftlitjbleHt  couscious- 

ness  of  paiu — the  tiiiio  bad  seemed  ioug;'  and  be  left  the  rhn\r^  fe^liog  uo  un- 
easiness  of  any  kind,  and  evidently  in  a  higb  state  of  admiration. 

"A  girl  of  sixteen  immediately  occupied  tbe  cbair.  After  cougbing  a  little 
she  inlialed  during  tbree  minutes,  and  fell  asleep,  when  a  molar  tooth  was 
extracted,  after  wbicb  sbe  continueil  to  slumber  tranquilly  during  three  minutes 
more.  At  the  moment  when  force  was  applied  sbe  flinched  and  frown^-  I  rv-- 
iog  her  baud  to  her  mouth,  but  said  she  bad  been  dreaming  a  pleasant 
and  knew  nothing  of  tbe  operation. 

"A  stt)iiL  boy  uf  twelve,  at  the  first  inspiration,  coughed  considerably,  and 
required  a  ujood  deal  of  encouragement  to  induce  him  to  go  on.  At  the  end  of 
tbroo  niimif.'s  from  tho  first  fair  inhalation  tbe  muscles  were  relaxed  and  tbe 
pu  1.     L)iiri'  'i-mpt  to  force  open  the  mouth  he  recovered  his 

cc»t  ss,  and  Hi;  u.'d  during  two  minutes;  and  in  the  ensuing  one 

minute  two  teeth  were  extracted,  the  patient  seeming  somewhat  conscious,  but 
upon  actually  awaking  be  declared  '  it  was  tbe  best  fun  he  ever  saw,*  avowed 
his  intention  of  coming  there  again,  and  insisted  upon  having  another  tooth 
extracted  upon  tbe  spot. 

"The  next  p.iiient  was  a  healthy-looking,  middle-aged  woman,  who  inhaled 
the  vapor  for  fuur  minutes.  In  tbe  course  of  tbe  next  two  minutes  a  back  tooth 
was  extracted,  and  the  patient  continued  smiling  in  her  sleep  for  three  minutes 
more.  Pulse  120,  not  affected  at  the  moment  of  the  operation,  but  smaller 
during  sleep.  Upon  coming  to  herself  she  exclaimed  that  *  it  was  beautiful — 
she  dreamed  o(  htMntjj  at  home — it  seemed  as  if  sbe  bad  been  gone  a  month.'" 

These  cases,  which  occurred  successively  in  about  an  hour,  at  the  room  of 
Dr.  Morton,  are  fair  examples  of  tbe  average  results  produced  by  the  inhalation 
of  the  vapor,  and  will  convey  an  idea  of  the  feelings  and  expressions  of  many 
of  the  patients  subjected  to  the  process. 

The  gentleman  who.  had  conducted  these  experiments  determined  upon  sub- 
mitting tbe  new  pbisbnena  to  the  test  of  a  surgical  operation ;  and  there  was  a 
eertain  lib  r  '■•-  ^■BSvhich  was  instrumental  in  introducing  the  discovery 
into  tbe  M  ratj-eneral  Hospital.     Many  such  pretended  discoveries  bad 

failed.  To  i>e  a  party  to  such  public  failure  was  to  invite  an  imputation  of  lack 
of  judgment;  and  although  this  novelty  presented  peculiar  and  unequivocal 
evidence,  and  possessed  au  intrinsic  worth  which  need  have  regarded  no  oppo- 
sition, yet  a  spirit  of  liberality  and  of  discernment  is  to  be  recoi^nized  in  the 
attitude  of  Dr.  Warren,  who  assumed  the  responsibility  of  failuie,  and  of  the 
danger  that  might  well  seem  possible  to  one  who  bad  not  witn»^ssed  tbe  pre- 
vious experiments.     Ether  has  not  always  met  with  equal  consideration. 

Dr.  Hayden  says  on  the  evening  of  the  30ih  of  September,  after  the  first 
experiment  had  been  made  with  success.  Dr.  Morton  spoke  about  going  to  the 
hospital  and  usinq^  the  ether  there,  and  thus  bring  out  tbe  new  discovery. 

Dr.  John  C.  Warren  was  then  senior  surgeon  and  in  charge  of  that  hospital. 
On  the  4tb  of  October  Dr.  Morton  called  upon  him  and  laid  the  whole  matter 
before  him.  There  were  other  reasons  why  it  was  most  natural  that  Dr.  Mor- 
ton should  go  to  Dr.  Warren  ;  he  was  a  member  of  his  claj's,  and  he  had  on 
former  occ^isiuns  been  in  the  habit  of  calling  on  him  for  the  purpose  of  showing 
improvements  he  bad  made,  somewhat  out  of  the  line  of  the  dentist,  and  lying 
within  the  domain  of  surgery.     J.  Mason  Warren  says  : 

"I  first  saw  Dr.  Morton  in  1846,  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Warren,  in  Park  street, 
I  think,  between  1  and  2  o'clock.  He  came  there  to  show  me  au  artificial 
palate,  I  being  at  that  time  interested  in  operations  for  fissure  of  the  palate. 
Some  time  afterwards  he  came  there  again,  about  the  same  hour,  to  exhibit  to 
Dr.  John  C.  Warren  and  myself  some  artificial  teeth,  which,  he  sai<l,  were  con- 
structed on  a  new  plan.     Some  time  after  that,  in  October,  Dr.  Warren  in 


22  DB.  WM.   T.    G.   MORTOX. 

formed  me  that  Dr.  Morton  had  been  there  and  informed  him  that  he  had  dis- 
covered an  agent  for  preventing  pain,  I  think  he  said,  in  dental  or  surgical 
operations,  and  requested  Dr.  Warren  that  he  would  afford  him  an  opportunity 
of  trying  it  in  a  surgical  operation.  Dr.  Warren,  after  some  questions  on  the 
subject,  promised  that  he  would  do  so.  On  Tuesday,  which  I  think  was  the 
13th  of  October,  and  after  the  surgical  visit  at  the  hospital,  a  patient  was 
brought  up  into  the  operating  room  for  the  purpose  of  having  an  operation  per- 
formed. Dr.  Warren  then,  apparently  rememberinghis  promise  to  Dr.  Morton, 
said  :  '  I  now  remember  that  I  have  made  a  promise  to  Dr.  Morton  to  give  him 
an  opportunity  to  try  a  new  remedy  for  preventing  pain  in  surgical  operations,*^ 
and  asked  the  patient  if  he  should  like  to  have  the  operation  done  without  suf- 
fering. He  answered  that  he  should.  The  operation  was  therefore  deferred 
untirFriday,  the  16th  of  October." 

'  M.  Yelpeau,  who  is  named  at  the  head  of  the  commission  on  ether,  in  speak- 
ing of  Dr.  Morton,  at  the  period  he  applied  to  Dr.  Warren,  says : 

*'  Sure,  then,  of  this  fact,  he  addressed  himself  to  the  surgeons  of  the  Massa- 
chusetts General  Hospital,  and  proposed  to  them  to  apply  his  means  to  patients 
who  were  to  be  submitted  to  the  action  of  cutting  instruments.  They  hesitate 
a  moment ;  they  afterwards  accept.  Without  being  complete  the  first  experi- 
ment gave  courage  ;  at  the  second  attempt  success  left  nothing  to  desire.  The 
facts  multiply  themselves  in  a  few  days,  and  the  question  is  answered  almost  as 
soon  as  put.  No  objection  is  longer  possible  ;  the  most  incredulous  are  obliged 
to  yield  to  the  evidence ;  they  must  believe  their  eyes  ;  the  solution  of  the 
grand  problem  is  at  last  found." 

Day  after  day  rolled  on  without  hearing  anything  from  Dr.  Warren.  In  the 
meantime  Dr.  Morton  was  constantly  engaged  in  trying  experiments  at  his 
oflSce,  some  with  more  and  some  with  less  success.  Dr.  Bigelow  gives  an  ac- 
count of  half  a  dozen  experiments  witnessed  in  the  course  of  one  hour  at  Dr. 
Morton's  rooms.  From  the  day  of  the  first  experiment,  it  is  safe  to  say  that 
Dr.  Morton  hardly  knew  a  full  night's  rest  or  a  regular  meal  for  three  months. 

The  entliusiasm,  as  regards  the  new  discovery,  increased  from  day  to  day ; 
notices  multiplied  in  the  papers,  and  the  news  was  spread — it  was  received  with 
acclamation  by  men  of  science  and  high  social  position,  while,  at  the  same 
time,  it  inspired  the  poor  waiting  sufferers  at  the  hospitals  and  elsewhere  with 
confidence,  hope,  and  joy.  At  first  they  seemed  somewhat  incredulous,  as  if  it 
were  "  too  good  news  to  be  true."  Soon  all  became"  satisfied  of  there  being 
something  in  it,  on  good  hearsay  evidence,  and  some  had  ocular  demonstration 
of  what  they  sought  to  know. 

At  the  end  of  ten  long  days  from  the  time  Dr.  Morton  called  on  Dr.  Warren 
he  received  the  following  note  :  * 

"  Dear  Sir  :  I  write  at  the  request  of  Dr.  J.  C.  Warren,  to  invite  you  to  be 
present  on  Friday  morning  at  ten  o'clock,  at  the  hospital,  to  administer  to  a 
patient,  who  is  then  to  be  operated  upon,  the  preparation  which  you  have  in- 
vented to  diminish  the  sensibility  to  pain. 
"  Yours,  respectfully, 

"C.F.  HAYWOOD, 
^^  House  Surgeon  to  the  General  Hospital^  October  14,  1846. 
"  Dr.  Morton,  Tremont  Row^ 

As  the  time  drew  near  for  his  experiment  at  the  hospital  Dr.  Mortop  became 
exceedingly  anxious,  and  devoted  himself,  night  and  day,  to  the  perfection  of 
his  apparatus,  and  to  a  still  more  complete  investigation  of  the  subject. 

Among  others  whom  he  conferred  with  at  this  time  was  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould, 
who  gave  it  his  earnest  attention,  and  devoted  himself  to  making  sketches  of 
apparatus,  and  in  experimenting  and  suggesting  antidotes  for  its  unfavorable 


DR.  WM,   T.   a.   MORTON.  23 

effecU;  and  in  still  further  extemlinp  t)  Morton  the  knowledge  of  the  litf^rature 
of  fl,..  cnl.;^,  t  Oi...  u,rn\  of  apparums,  which  had  been  agreed  upon  by  him 
a-  -  over  the  old  one  used  by  Morton,  had  been  ordered  ot 

Mr.  ^  II  iiiiiriiaih,  iiif  mt'truiuent  inHker,  who  bad  promised  to  hare  it  fiuihlied 
early  on  the  n)oriiin£r  of  the  trial  at  the  hospital.  But,  as  the  hour  drew  near, 
it  '  '         '  '  .juire<l  to  finish  it,  and  Morton,  be- 

t  on  in  his  work,  until   at  hwt,  fear- 

ing lcfe>t  he  s!.t>uUi  I'l'  lou  hue,  he  Mi.ni  the  instrumt^nt  directly  from  his  liands, 
and  !«tflr(od  in  liHste  for  the  hospital,  almost  breathless  with  apprehension  and 
t'  'V  of  his  movements. 

:  taken  the  precaution  to  request  Mr.  Frost  to  accompany  him,  to 
(■  ii;  K'^  in  some  way  to  his  relief  in  case  of  failure,  and  act  as  a  voucher  as 
Fc'^'.irds  his  statements  (if  what  he  h.\d  already  accomplished.  At  this  moment 
bis  mind  was  in  one  great  whirl  of  doubts  and  conflicting  emotions.  Mixed 
with  the  fear  that  his  new  and  untried  instrument  might  not  work,  and  perhaps 
render  the  issue  abortive,  was  bis  own  vague  doubt  of  a  successful  exhibition. 

He  had  already  had  sufficient  experience  in  administering  the  vapor  to  know 
that  its  effects  were  widely  different  upon  various  persons,  and  he  could  hardly 
d  '  '  'iHt  the  case  would  be  as  favorable   as   that  of  the  man  who  was 

a(  ,  iiim.  Suppose  the  patient  shouhl  be  affected  as  some  harl  already 

been  at  hi*  house,  and  should  scream,  or  leap  into  the  air,  requiring  force  to 
keep  him  in  I. is  seat,  wf^uhl  not  the  surgeons  at  once  feel  obliged  to  interfere, 
take  t  •  t  from  his  hands,  and  i>olitely  request  him  to  retire  ?    Tfapn,  too, 

.there  '■  s  on  record  of  j>atients,  debilitated  by  disease,  dying  before  the 

eyes  of  the  operating  surgeon,  and  the  question  flashed  through  his  mind  :  "  If 
this  experiment  should  result  adversely,  shall  I  not  be  charged  with  its  fatal 
issue  t" 

A  second  unfavorable  fact  in  the  case  was  his  entire  ignorance  as  to  what  bis 
patient  might  be ;  whether  some  hardened  toper,  saturated  with  strong  drink, 
apon  whom  the  preparation  might  produce  no  more  effect  than  his  ordinary 
daily  "  nipper,"  or  some  delicate  and  timid  female,  who  would  tremble  and  be 
at  the  very  thought  of  beinij  experimented  upon, 
for  Morton  was  it  that  he  arrived  at  the  precise  moment  at  which  be 
did,  but  we  will  let  an  eye-witness  tell  the  rest  of  the  story. 

Dr.  Gould,  who  was  present  at  the  first  operation  in  the  hospital,  says :  "D 
Warren  was  altont  to  commence  the  operation.  lie  suddenly  rose  and  turned 
to  those  present,  and  said  he  had  foi  pjotten  that  he  had  promised  to  allow  Dr. 
Morton  to  give  something  which  he  thought  would  prevent  pain,  and  he  would 
wait.  Previous  to  the  operation,  Dr.  Warren,  having  waited  ten  or  fifteen 
minutes,  again  turned  to  those  present  and  said  :  'As  Dr.  Morton  has  not  ar- 
rived, I  presume  he  is  otherwise  engaged  ;*  apparently  conveying  the  idea  that 
Dr.  Morton  did  not  intend  to  appear.  The  remark  of  Dr.  Warren  brought  out 
a  great  laugh.  Dr.  Warren  then  8at  down  to  his  patient.  Just  as  lie  raised  his 
knite.  Dr.  Morton  appeared  with  an  inhaler  with  vaJven,  sucli  as  I  had  proposed, 
n  er.     All  looked  very  iucred'i  y  as  the  man 

b  led.     But  suddenly  the  ana  took   place. 

Thhs  i  H  start  of  surprise  froui  all  present.   Dr.  Morlou  coolly  informed 

Dr.  A\  I  at  his  patient  was  ready." 

We  give  the  substance  of  Dr.  Gould's  testimony,  the  order  not  being  exactly 
preserved. 

"  As  Dr.  Warren,  seizing  the  bunch  of  veins  in  his  hand,  made  the  first  in- 
eision  throu!:]:h  the  skin,  the  patient  made  no  sound,  nor  moved  one  muscle  of 
his  body.  As  the  operation  progres8e<l  all  eyes  were  riveted  on  this  novel  scene 
ia  eager  expectancy  and  amazement.  The  silence  of  the  tomb  reigned  in  the 
Urge  amphitheatre,  and  the  form  of  each  beholder  was  as  still  and  immovable 
as  the  skeletons  and  mummies  which  hnng  in  the  cases  behind  them. 


24  DR.    WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

"At  length  the  operation  was  finished,  and  the  blood  having  been  washed 
from  his  face  the  patient  was  gradually  allowed  to  come  from  his  anaesthetic  state. 
When  fully  restored  to  consciousness,  and  able  to  answer  questions,  he  gave  the 
triumphant  and  gratifying  intelligence,  '  I  have  experienced  no  pain,  but  only  a 
sensation  like  that  of  scraping  the  part  with  a  blunt  instrument/  This  arose 
from  the  fact  that,  as  the  operation  had  taken  rather  longer  than  anticipated, 
Dr.  Morton  had  several  times  removed  the  inhaling  instrument  from  his  mouth." 

Dr.  John  C.  Warren  says  : 

Answer.  I  performed  an  operation,  at  the  request  of  Dr.  Morton,  at  that  time, 
upon  a  patient  who  was  under  the  influence  of  something,  I  don't  know  what. 
I  did  not  know  then,  and  don't  know  now.  Dr.  Morton  called  on  me  some  days 
before  that  time,  said  he  had  an  article  the  use  of  which  would  prevent  pain  in 
surgical  operations,  and  asked  me  to  use  it  the  first  opportunity  I  had.  Two  or 
three  days  after,  not  having  any  private  operation,  I  employed  it  on  a  patient 
at  the  hospital. 

3d.  Was  this,  and  how  far,  a  successful  operation  as  regards  the  insensibility 
of  the  patient  ? 

Answer.  As  relates  to  pain,  it  was  perfectly  successful.  The  patient  did  not 
complain  of  pain  at  that  time,  nor  even  state  that  he  had  experienced  pain,  but, 
during  the  latter  part  of  the  operation,  he  was  sufficiently  conscious  to  speak 
and  move  freely. 

4th.  Was  it  Dr.  Morton's  request  that  you  should  use  it  at  the  hospital,  or 
that  you  would  use  it  in  a  surgical  case,  irrespective  of  place? 

Answer.  It  was  of  a  general  nature,  and,  as  I  understood,  referred  particu- 
larly to  my  private  patient,  but  not  having  any  private  patient  to  operate  on  at 
that  moment  I  applied  it  to  a  patient  in  the  hospital. 

5th.  What  was  the  operation  of  October  16,  1846? 

Answer.  It  was  an  operation  on  a  tumor  about  three  inches  long,  on  the  left 
side  of  the  neck,  a  dangerous  vascular  tumor,  deeply  situated.  It  was  removed 
in  about  five  minutes. 

6th.  Before  you  used  it  did  you  take  means,  by  inquiry  or  otherwise,  to  sat- 
isfy yourself  of  the  safety  and  probable  utility  of  this  substance  which  Dr. 
Morton  proposed  to  administer  I 

Answer.  I  asked  Dr.  Morton  whether  the  substance  he  proposed  to  me  to  use 
was  certainly  safe  to  the  patient,  and  whether  he  was  sure  it  would  be  effectual, 
as  I  had  been  anxious  to  find  something  of  the  kind  he  proposed,  and  made 
repeated  trial  of  articles  without  any  satisfactory  effect.  He  assured  me  in 
reply  that  the  substance  he  proposed  to  employ  was  perfectly  safe,  and  thought 
it  would  be  effectual. 

As  this  is  the  central  point  of  the  inquiry,  your  committee  add  a  report, 
copied  from  the  records  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital  :  "This  case  is 
remarkable  in  the  annals  of  surgery.  It  was  the  first  surgical  operation  per- 
formed under  the  influence  of  ether.  Dr.  Warren  had  been  applied  to  by  Dr. 
Morton,  a  dentist,  with  the  request  that  he  would  try  the  inhalation  of  a  fluid, 
which  he  said  he  had  found  to  be  effectual  in  preventing  pain  during  operations 
on  the  teeth.  Dr.  Warren,  having  satisfied  himself  that  the  breathing  of  the 
fluid  would  be  harmless,  agreed  to  employ  it  when  an  opportunity  presented. 
None  occurring  in  private  practice  within  a  day  or  two,  he  determined  to  use 
it  on  this  patient. 

"Before  the  operation  began,  some  time  was  lost  in  waiting  for  Dr.  Morton, 
and  ultimately  it  was  thought  he  would  not  appear;  at  length  he  arrived  and 
explained  his  detention,  by  informing  Dr.  Warren  that  he  had  been  occupied  in 
preparing  his  apparatus,  which  consisted  of  a  tube  connected  with  a  glass  globe. 
This  apparatus  he  then  proceeded  to  apply,  and  after  four  or  five  minutes  the 
patient  appeared  to   be  asleep,   and   the  operation  was  performed   as  above  , 


DR.   WM.   T.    O.    MORTON.  iS 

1.     To  the  surprise  of  Dr.  W  '        "  '  r« 

I'd   not  skriek  or  cry  out ;   '  e 

ve  his  linil>s  aud  ;  ThfHe  iiuvo- 

■  <\  to  imlicHle  the  e\  ■  •  .^  1  recovered  his 

faculiies,  he  said  he   had   experienced    none,  but  only  a  sensation  like  that  of 

icrapini^  the  part  with  a  bluut   instrument,  and   he  ever  after   continued  to  say 

he  had  not  felt  any  pain.     The  result  of  this  operation  led  to  the  repetition  of 

the  use  of  ether  in  other  cases,   and  in  a  few  days  its  success  was  established, 

ftud  ita  use  resorted  to  in  every  considerable  operation  in  the  city  of  Boston  and 

its  vicinity." 

This  waa  the  16th  of  October,  1846,  made  ever  memorable  and  glorious  at 

nr  as   man  shall   suSer  pain.     The   report   of    the   Massachusetts    General 

..   >pital  for  1848,  says :  **The  student  who  from  distant  lands,  or  in  distant 

ages,  may  visit  this  spot,  will  view  it  with  increased  interest  as  he  remembers 

that  here  was  fust  demonstrated  one  of  the  most  glorious  truths  of  science." 

Dr.  Henry  J.  Bigelow  says : 

**The  operation  of  that  day  was  incomplete  in  its  results,  for  reasons  to  be 
hereafter  indicated.  A  youn^  man  offered  signs  of  sensibility  during  and  after 
a  dissection  which  was  not  particularly  painful.  Some  powerful  drug  already 
know,  or  even  the  imagination,  might  well  have  been  suspected  of  »geocy  in 
the  phenomena. 

**0n  the  ensuing  day  a  woman  offered  herself  with  a  tumor  of  considerable 
magnitude  in   the  right  shoulder.     A  few  minutes  of  the  most  complete  and 

-sive  insersibility  served  for  its  extirpation.     No  imagination  was  here  to  be 

used.     The  droopinij  lid,  the  head  fallen  on  the  shoulder,  the  stolid  relaxa- 

.  of  the  mouth,  sui;  )   overworking  of  the  intellect,  no  rapt  uncon- 

usness,  nor  iiisi  ir.  y.     The  phenomena  were  real,  familiar  to  daily 

Hence;  *  to   the   profuundest   sleep.     This   operation  of  Dr. 

::  ivward  first  lusively  the  {»ower  of  the  new  agent  in  averting  the 

(terrors  of  the  surgical  art.     The  casual  spectator  would  have  remarked  no  ex- 

iTAssion  of  wonder  nor  unusual  excitement  in  the  bystanders  at  the  working  of 

»  miracle.     Nothing  to  awe  or  startle  marred  the  tranquility  of  the  operating 

iov-m.     Yet  I  think  those  present  will  not  soon  forget  the   conviction  of  those 

|few  moment^*,  associate  at   this  remote  day  with    the   breathless  silence  of  the 

;    wd,  and  the  unwonted  fumes  of  aroinatics  burned  to  mask  the  emanations 

;a  the  yet  mysterious  agent.  After  this,  to  the  surprise  of  Dr.  Morton,  the 
practice  was  discontinue*!,  and  for  the  ensuing  three  weeks  the  patients  were 
all  oporat'^d  np<in  as  before,  though  numerous  operations  were  daily  being  per- 
forr;  ^  own  house. 

!•  >irous  of  employing  it  in  a  case  of  amputation,   Morton  applied  to 

'  II  ly  ward,  then  on  duty,  for  an  opportunity,  as  he  had  heard  that  there  waa 
•:,  II  a  patient  requiring  that  operation  waiting  in  the  hospital. 

Dr.  Hayward  says  : 

**0n  the  first  of  November  I  took  charge  of  the  surgical  department  of  the 
hospital ;  and  on  the  following  day,  in  conversation  with  Dr.  VVarren,  I  stated 
that  I  did  not  intend  to  allow  the  medical  patients  to  inhale  this  preparation  of 
Dr.  Morton  (for  we  were  then  ignorant  of  the  precise  nature  of  it)  during  my 
■    riod  of  service,  unless  all  the  -  of  the  hospital  were  told  what  it  waf», 

1  were  sadsjied  of  the  safety  it.     Dr.  Warren  agreed  with  me  as  to 

tbe  propriety  of  this  course. 

"On  the  6lh  of  November  Dr.  Morton  called  at  my  house  and  a?ked  me  if  I 
was  willing  to  have  his  j)reparation  inhaled  by  a  patient  whose  limb  I  wns  to 
amputate  on  the  following  day.  I  told  him  of  the  conversation  I  had  had  with 
'  '• .  Warren  on   the  subject.     Dr.  Morton  at  once  said    he  was  ready  to  let  us 

ow  what  the  article  was,  and  to  give  the  surgeons  of  the  hospitals  the  right 


i 


$$:  DR.   WM.   T*    Gk   MORTON. 

to  use  it  when  they  pleased.  He  added  that  he  would  send  me  a  letter  in  the 
course  of  the  day  to  this  effect.  I  requested  him  to  direct  it  to  Dr.  Warren, 
as  he  was  the  senior  surgeon,  and  told  him  that  I  would  submit  it  to  my  col- 
leagues at  a  coBsultation  to  be  held  on  the  following  morning.  He  wrote  the 
letter  accordingly." 

"The  subject  was  maturely  considered,  by  the  surgeons,  who  were  unani- 
mously of  opinion  that  the  ether  should  be  inhaled  by  the  individual  who  was 
to  undergo  the  operation  that  day." 

The  letter  was  as  follows : 

"Boston,  Kovemher  6th,  1846. 

"Dear  Sir  :  As  it  may  sometimes  be  desirable  that  surgical  operations 
should  be  performed  at  the  Massachusetts  .General  Hospital  under  the  influence 
of  the  preparation  employed  by  me  for  producing  temporary  insensibility  to 
pain,  you  will  allow  me,  through  you,  to  offer  to  the  hospital  the  free  use  of  it 
for  all  the  hospital  operations.  I  should  be  pleased  to  give  to  the  surgeons  of 
the  hospital  any  information,  in  addition  to  what  they  now  possess,  which  they 
may  think  desirable  in  order  to  employ  it  with  confidence.  I  will  also  instruct 
such  persons  as  they  may  select,  connected  with  the  hospital,  in  the  mode  ofi 
employing  it.  This  information,  I  must  request,  should  be  regarded  as  confi- 
dental,  as  I  wish  for  ample  time  to  make  such  modifications  as  experience  may 
suggest  in  its  exhibition.  It  is  also  ray  intention  to  have  persons  suitable  in- 
structed, who  will  go  wherever  desired,  for  a  reasonable  compensation,  and 
administer  it  for  private  operations,  thus  enabling  any  surgeon  to  employ  it  in 
his  private  practice  whenever  he  may  have  occasion.  I  think  you  will 
agree  with  me  that  this  will  be  wiser,  until  its  merits  are  fuller  established, 
than  to  put  it  into  the  hands  of  everybody,  thereby  bringing  discredit  upon  the 
preparation  by  its  injudicious  employment.  Should  you  wish  me  to  administer 
at  any  of  the  operations  to-morrow,  I  shall  do  so  with  pleasure  ;  and  should 
the  above  proposition  be  deemed  worthy  of  being  entertained,  I  shall  be  ready 
to  make  the  arrangement  as  soon  as  informed  of  your  wishes. 

"W.  T.  G.  MORTON 

"Dr.  Warren." 

"Park  Street,  JVovemher  6th 

-  "Dear  Sir:  I  beg  leave  to  ackno^vledge  the  reception  of  your  polite  letter; 
I  shall  lose  no  time  in  laying  it  before  the  surgeons  of  the  hospital. 
"I  remain,  respectfully,  yours, 

"J.  C.  WARREN." 

Dr.  Hay  ward,  in  speaking  of  this  operation,  says:  "It  was  my  fortune  to 
perform  the  first  capital  operation  on  a  patient  rendered  insensible  by  the  inha- 
lation of  sulphuric  ether.  *  *  *  *  * 
It  rarely  falls  to  the  lot  of  a  professional  man  to  be  the  witness  of  a  scene  of 
more  intense  interest.  The  operating  room  was  crowded  ;  many  were  obliged 
to  stand.  Besides  the  class  of  students  in  attendance  on  the  lectures,  numbering 
more  than  a  hundred,  and  many  of  the  principal  physicians  and  surgeons  of 
the  city  and  neifjhborhood,  there  were  present  several  clergymen,  lawyers,  and 
other  individuals  from  the  various  callings  of  life.  When  1  entered  the  theatre, 
before  the  patient  was  brought  in,  I  found  it,  to  my  surprise,  filled  in  every  part, 
except  the  floor  on  which  the  table  stood,  with  persons  on  whose  countenances  was 
depicted  the  almost  painful  anxiety  with  which  they  awaited  the  result  of  the 
experiment  they  were  about  to  witness.  I  simply  told  them  that  I  had  decided 
with  the  advice  of  my  colleagues,  to  allow  the  patient  on  whom  I  was  to 
operate  to  inhale  an  article  which  was  said  to  have  the  power  of  annulling 
pain.     The  patient  was  then  brought  in.     She  was  a  delicate  looking  girl  of 


DU.   V,M,   T.    G.    MORTON.  27 

r  noo,  who  ha. I       "      '   *     ;i  h)npf  time  from  «  scrofulous 

int.      It  ha<l  at  irato*!  :   th«TO    were   Hxt^rnive 

'■  the  joint;  ll  'ilceratH<l,  v  v 

118,  and  synij.t'  rrha<lali..  .    .o 

nee. 

as  she  was  wel]  arranpfed  on  the  table  I  toM  her  that  I  should  let 

I  breathe  somt'thincf  l^hii^h  I  hoped  would  provent  her  from  sulferinnr  much 

III  the  opt-ration,  and  that  she  need  not  be  afraid  of  breathiui^  it  freely. 

"As  the  ether  was  at  the  time  administered  by  means  of  a  iarsfe  and  clumsy 

iistrumcnt,  which  required,  to  some  extent,  the  co  operation  of  the  patient,  it 

iras  desirable  that  the  amputation  should  bo  done  as  rapidly  as  poa^ibie.    Every 

'  I  iherefore,  was  arranired  with  this  view.     I   decided  to   perform  the  flap 

I).     One  person  was  to  compress  the,  artery,  another  to  withdraw  the 

-s,  a  third  to  hand  the  inptrumentp,  and   a   fouith   to   watch    the  pulse.     I 

ispe<l  the  patient's  limb  with  my  left  linnd,  and  held  the  amnutatinjr  knife  be- 

1  me  in  my  rij  ully  cone*  w.     The  mouth  piece  of 

inlialinn:  itistn  vis  then  put  i  .  and  she  was  directed  to 

After  breathinnf  in  this  way  a  short   time,  the  nostrils 

;  ^     .    ,  -     ihat  all  the  air  that  went  into   the   lungs   must   fitst   pass 

the  machine,  and  of  course  be  mixed  with  the  vapor  of  the  ether.    She 

...i.cd  with  perfect  ease,  and  without  struggling,  and  in  aliout  three  minutes 

111  the  time  the  instrument  was  put  into  her  mouth  Dr.  Morton  said,  *Bhe  is 

idy.'     A  deathlike  silence  reigned   in   the  room;  no  one  moved,  or  hirdly 

ithed.     I  ]>aRsed  the  knife  directly  through  the  limb,  and  brought  it  out  as 

idly  as  I  could,  and  made  the  upper  flap.     The  patient  gave  no  sign  of  feel- 

'  or  consciousness,  but  looked   like  one  in  a  deep,  quiet  sleep.     Every  other 

Ml  the  room  took  a  full  inspiration  that  was  distinctly  audible,  and  seemed 

hat  they  could  now  breathe  again.     The   second    flap  was   then    made, 

Uiiie  sawtd,  five  arteries  were  tied,  and  as  I  was   tightening   the   ligature 

'>n  the  sixth  and  la«t  she  groaned,  bring  the  first  indication  of  sensibility  that 

i  beeji  given.     Nothing  more  was  done  than  to  bring  the  flaps  together,  cover 

L-.c  stump  with  cloihs  dipped  in  cold  water,  and  apply  two  or  three  turns  of  a 

|roller  to  keep  them  in  p'ace.     Her  consciousoess  soon  returned  ;  she  wm  wholly 

ic'norant  that  the  operation  had  been  done.     For  some  time  she  would  not  be- 

ve  it,  and  said  that  she  had  felt  nothing  till  I  tied  the  last  artery.   The  opera- 

•  tion  lasted  a  minute  and  three  quarters,  not  including  the  time  required  to  tie 

Ithe  arteries.     I  did  it  rapidly,  though  it  has  been  done  in  less  time,  because  T 

'  ired  that  the  insensibility  might  pass  off,  and  we  bad  no  means   then,  as  we 

..  ive  now,  of  continuing  it  as  long  as  is  necessary." 

I     Dr.  J,  Mason  Warren  says  his  father,  on  the  day  the  preceding  operation  was 

^Iporforraed,  removed  a  portion  of  the  jaw  from  a  female,  who  was  a'so  reudere<l 

•nsible  by  the  ether,  also  administered  by  Dr.  Morton.     The  next  case  was  a 

ient  of  my  own,  November  12,  in  which  the  patient  was  entirely  unconscious 

ile  under  the  influence  of  the  anaesthetic  agent    given  by  Dr.  Morton;  this 

N   IS  a  female  at  the  west  end  of  Boston,  in  the  vicinity  of  Myrtle  street.     The 

.  operation  was  the  removal  of  a  tumor  from  the  arm.     I  believe  that   was   the 

ti  <t  private  operation  performed  with  ether,  so  far  as  my  knowledfje  goes.   The 

\l  time  was  on  the  twenty-first  of  November,  on  a  patient  fri'in  whom  I  re- 

ved  a  large  tumor  of  the  thigh  at  the  Bromfield  Uouae.     The  eiher  in  this, 

in  the  other  cases,  was  given  by  Dr.  Morton.     From  this  time  until  March  I 

ii  id  a  series  of  surgical  operations  in  private  practice,  in   many  of  which  Dr. 

Morton  Was  present,  and  administered  the  ether. 

Another  important  case  that  soon  followed  was  that  of  a  man  at  an  advanced 
age,  who  was  afllicte  1  with  a  paralysis  of  the  lower  extremities,  owing  to  a  dis- 
ease of  the  bones  of  the  spine. 

For  the  relief  of  this,  and  to  prevent  the  extension  of  the  disease  in  the  bones, 


28  DK.   WM.   T.    G.    MOETON. 

it  was  decided  necessary  to  cauteriEe  him  with  the  actual  cautery  the  whoh 
length  of  the  back,  on  each  sid|  of  the  spine.  How  painful  this  would  be,  un 
less  with  the  sensation  benumbed,  the  slight  burn  of  a  finger  can  give  some  idea 
He  inhaled  the  ether,  and  soon  was  lying  in  a  quiet  and  easy  slumber.  Thei 
the  surgeons  taking  the  irons,  heated  to  a  white  heat,  passed  them  over  his 
white  and  tender  skin.  As  the  hot  iron  hissed,  and  the  flesh,  blackened  by  th( 
intensity,  shrunk  crisply  away  before  it,  without. one  g»oan  or  movement  fron 
the  patient,  the  enthusiasm  of  those  present  knew  no  bounds,  and  had  it  no' 
been  for  the  stillness  demanded  in  the  place,  and  the  exigency  of  the  occasion 
they  would  so  far  have  forgotten  all  propriety  as  to  have  broken  out  into  tumult- 
uous applause ;  nor  was  this  subdued  when  the  patient,  on  his  return  to  con- 
sciousness, declared  himself  ignorant  of  the  performance  of  the  operation,  anc 
informed  the  bystanders  that  he  had  experienced  a  most  delightful  dream,  anc 
had  experienced  more  agreeable  sensations  than  he  had  felt  for  many  a  day. 

Dr.  Bigelow  says :  "A  hundred  promiscuous  cases  rapidly  occurred  ;  often  ii 
the  face  of  hundreds  of  spectators,  not  one  of  whom  attributed  the  results  to  de 
ception  or  imagination.  The  mass  of  evidence  swelled  as  it  rolled  onward,  montl 
after  month,  to  every  part  of  this  country  and  of  the  civilized  world;  and  yet  ir 
November,  1847,  more  than  a  year  after  the  discovery,  we  find  it  stated  that  ir 
one  of  the  largest  hospitals  in  North  America  ether '  had  not  been  tried  at  all.' 

"For  the  sake  of  humanity,  if  not  of  science,  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  no  hos- 
pital gates  are  barred  against  ether  at  this  late  day." 

*'  The  success  of  the  discovery  is  very  encouraging  and  its  application  exten 
sive.  It  made  its  mark  immediately,  fixed  and  indelible,  on  the  records  of  thd 
medical  faculty  of  the  world.  The  report  of  the  experiments  in  the  medica 
hospital  of  Boston  was  received  with  delight  in  England  and  on  the  continent 
by  the  most  enlightened  members  of  the  profession,  and  sulphuric  ether  and  its 
kindred  etliers  were  immediately  adopted  and  took  their  place  in  medicinal  prac 
tice  as  anaesthetic  agents.  They  have  been  adopted  in  our  army  and  navy,  anc 
no  sum,  though  told  by  millions,  would  compensate  for  their  loss  or  abandon 
ment  at  this  day.  The  value  of  the  gift  made  by  Dr.  Morton  to  his  country  is 
indeed,  incalculable.  But  in  its  results  involved  the  ruin  of  his  private  fortune." 

Augustus  A.  Gould,  physician,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says : 

"  Invaluable.  It  would  amount  to  an  immense  sum  if  each  one  who  under- 
goes an  operation  would  contribute  what  he  would  pay  rather  than  dispenst 
witSi  it.     I  am  unable  to  fix  a  money  value  upon  it." 

Henry  J.  Bigelow,  physician  and  surgeon,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says: 

"A  million  dollars  a  year  as  well  as  any  other  sum,  because  the  revenue  de^  "^' 
rived  from  those  who  should  be  compelled  either  to  forego  its  use  or  to  pay  foi  ^ 
it  would  be  immense,  incalculable." 

Jacob  Bigelow,  physician  and  surgeon,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says : 

"I  conceive  its  value   to  be  such  that  if  it  was  only  to  be  purchased  witl 

large  sums  of  money,  millions  of  dollars  would  readily  and  properly  be  paid  bj 

persons  who  are  subjects  of  the  pain  it  is  competent  to  avert  or  relieve." 

J.  Mason  Warren,  physician  and  surgeon,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says : 
"  If  you  mean  in  money,  I  consider  it  at  least  one  hundred  thousand  dollarsi 
But  its  value  is  beyond  all  money;  it  is  beyond  computation.  When  I  say  on< 
hundred  thousand  dollars,  I  mean  that  I  think  that  is  more  likely  the  sum  whict 
perhaps  might  be  given  Dr.  Morton  as  a  recognition  of  his  share  in  the  discov- 
ery, just  as  Dr.  Jenner  received  about  such  a  sum  for  vaccination.  I  think  i 
it  was  showr  that  more  than  one  was  concerned  in  the  discovery,  each  ought  tc 
have  a  hundred  thousand  dollars." 


H.  Q.  Brigham,  surgeon  dentist,  being  sworn,  says : 
"  Five  hundred  thousand  dollars." 


(0 


*^    "  The  value  caoDot  be  expressed  in  money,  but  it  is  a  great  blessing  to  man 


DB,    WM.   T.    O.    MORTOir.  29 

E,  B.  Warner,  house  pbjsician  to  the  northern  dispensary  in   the  city  of 
wYork: 

**It  is  of  immense  value,  and  its  worth  is  beyond  comprehension  in  dollars 
ind  cents." 
John  n.  Griscomi  M.  D.,  New  York,  being  sworn,  says: 
""  iiniary  value  (»f  said  discovery  cannot  be  estimnted,  h.infr  beyond 

.      n,  HS  is  that  of  human  life  and  the  relief  of  human  sutl'  ring." 
lohn  Torrey,  chief  assayer  at  the  United  Slates  assay  oflBce  and  consulting 
viuist: 

'It  is  extremely  difficult  to  estimate  its  value  in  money.     I  have   said  that 
\r    ton  ought  to  have  a  monument  of  gold  as  high  as  Trinity  church 
I  see  no  cause  to  alter  my  opinion." 

liobert  F.  Weis,  M.  D.,  surgeon  to  the  New  York  hospital,  in   the  city  of 
w  York : 

"  Its  value  is  incalculable." 

Godfrey  Aignes,  M.  D.,  house  physician  to  the  New  York  dispensary.  New 
iork,  being  sworn,  says: 

I 

Jonas  P.  Loines,  house  physician  to  the  eastern  dispensary  in  the  city  f  New 
fork,  being  sworn,  says: 

"  The  discovery  of  its  use  is,  as  anaesthesia,  worth  in  the  neighborhoo  1  of  one 
i.iilion  and  a  half  dollars,  so  far  as  can  be  known,  to  this  country." 

Isaac  Cummings,  house  physician  to  the  Demilt  dispensary,  city  of  New 
lYork: 

"The  value  of  said  discovery  is  one  million  dollars  and  upwards." 

J.  Henry  Watts,  house  physician  to  the  northwestern  dispensary  in  the  city 
f  New  York : 

"  The  value  of  said  discovery  is  incalculable,  and  has  been  a  great  blessing 
o  mankind." 

Prom  the  first,  and  for  several  years  in  private  practice,  and  in  many  public 

^  jj.n8titution8,  it  met  with   the  most  determined   and   persistent   opposition.     By 

^me  its  efficiency  was  denied;  by  others  it  was  declared  to  be  a  poison,  which, 

not  fatal  at  once,  led  in  the  result  to  fatal  consequences.     On  this  point,  Dr. 

; -nry  J.  Bigelow  says  :    ' 

"Subsequently  to  the  discovery  of  ether,  and  not  a  great  while  after — I  mean 

e  discovery  of  ether  inhalation — ti.ere  was  a  veiy  great  difference  of  opinion; 

:  t,  as  regards  its  safety.     Many  people  maintained  that  it  was  dangerous. 

rninent  surgeons  have  pertinaciously,  and  in  the  most  surprising  manner, 

i  to  this  opinion   to   the  present  day,  objecting  to  its  use.     At  an  early 

riod  certain  religious  grounds  were  urged  against  its  adoption.     Dr.  Morton, 

-  far  as  I  know,  uniformly  and  perseveringly  urged   it  upon  the  medical  pro- 

-sion  and  upon  the  world," 

Dr,  Gould  says : 

"  34th.  Was  there,  or  not,  and  how  long,  any,  and  how  great,  effort  made 
gainst  the  use  of  ether  ? 

"  Ans.  There  was  a  strong  prejudice  against  it  in  this  city,  and  more  espe- 
cially elsewhere;  the  administration  of  it  was  denounced  generally,  and  many 
iHlicles  were  written  against  it  in  the  medical  and  daily  journals.  I  don*t  know 
my  particulars  further  than  writing  articles  and  denunciations  in  private  con- 
versations." 


so  DR.    WM.   T;   G.   MORTOIf. 


m 


"There  was  much  indignatioa  and  disapprobation  from  the  profession,  espe 
cially  the  dentists,  and  also  in  several  instances  by  patients.  In  one  or  tw< 
instances  prosecution  was  threatened^  not  particularly  on  account  of  the  mod 
of  administration,  but  for  administering  it  at  all."  The  preconceived  notiocl  tlat 
and  settled  theories  of  the  physicians  were  sadly  jostled.  Not  a  few  grew  irr: 
table  and  resented  the  interference.  They  closed  their  ears,  shut  their  eye: 
and  folded  their  hands.  They  refused  to  touch  or  in  any  way  pollute  there 
selves  with  the  unclean  thing.  They  had  quite  made  up  their  minds  that  paii 
was  a  necessary  evil,  and  must  be  endured.  They  scouted  the  attempted  innc 
vatioD,  and  averred  that  no  good  could  come  of  it.  i 

Says  Dr.  Bigelow : 

"  It  has  been  well  said  that  the  first  attitude  of  the  world  towards  a  gre? 
discovery  is  incredulity,  and  then  hostility;  and  this  was  well  exemplified 
the  reception  of  this  announcement  at  the  South.     Three  weeks  elapsed  befor 
any  notice  of  the  subject  appeared.     Then  came  the  doubts  of  those  sagaciou 
and  experienced  philosophers  who  were  not  easily  to  be  deceived." 

In  January,  1847,  a  New  York  medical  journal   announced  that  "the  las 
special  wonder  has  already  arrived  at  the  natural  term  of  its  existence.     It  ha 
descended  to  the  bottom  of  that  great  abyss  which  has  already  ingulfed 
many  of  its  predecessor  novelties,  but  which  continues,  alas!  to  gape  unti 
iumbug  yet  more  prime  shall  be  thrown  into  it." 

The  New  Oileans  Medical  Journal  says,  in  the  same  month  :  "  That  the  leaclisju 
ing  surgeons  of  Boston  could  be  captivated  by  such  an  invention  as  this  excit(  ^k 
our  amazement."  "  Why,  mesmerism^  which  is  repudiated  by  the  savans 
Boston,  has  done  a  thousand  times  greater  wonders." 

A  leading  medical  periodical  in  Philadelphia  says:  "We should  not  considfci 
it  entitled  to  the  least  notice,  but  that  we  perceive,  by  a  Boston  journal,  \h.i 
prominent  members  of  the  profession  have  been  caught  in  its  meshes."  ] 
was  "fully  persuaded  that  the  surgeons  of  Philadelphia  would  not  be  seducej  k\ 
from  the  high  professional  path  of  duty  into  the  quagmire  of  quackery  by  th 
will-o'-the-wisp."  fDtio 

In  November,  1847,  more  than  a  year  after  the  discovery,  it  had  not  bee  ««(i 
tried  at  all  in  the  Pennsylvania  hospital,  one  of  the  largest  in  North  Americ  & 
iTbe  council  of  Zurich  prohibited  the  use  of  ether.  Congress  withheld  its  agenci  JlHici 
when  it  might  have  assuaged  the  agony  of  the  wounded  soldier.  coasii 

■  Even  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  within  whose  halls  his  inaugural  e:  meaos 
periments  were  made,  and  to  which  he  had  an  especial  right  to  look  fur  suppo  «p«i 
and  encouragement,  began  to  regard  the  discovery  with  distrust,  and,  with  man  tmlji 
other  institutions  of  like  character,  temporarily  barred  its  doors  to  the  new  agen  fDliii 

Objections  based  on  religious  grounds  were  urged  against  the  employment «  »iiicl 
ether.  Pain,  it  was  argued,  was  the  natural  and  intended  consequence  of  tb  M 
primal  sin,  and  therefore- any  attempt  to  do  away  with  it  must  be  wrong.  Thes  f«t  n 
objectors  failed  to  see  that  their  argument,  if  it  proved  anything,  proved  tc'  iWs 
much,  since  it  held  with  equal  cogency  against  any  remedial  agency  whatever  iDa 
and,  indeed,  if  carried  into  theology,  would  undermine  its  very  central  doctrin'  Wt!,j 
redemption.  Others  opposed  the  anaesthetic  on  the  ground  that  pain  was  sal?  ^ 
tary,  and  that  its  annihilation  would  be  hazardous  to  the  patient.  And  8  ., 
eminent  physiologist  expressed  the  doubt  whether  there  were  a  true  advanta^  *' 
in  suppressing  pain.  "  It  is  a  trivial  matter,"  said  this  stoic,  "to  suffer,  and 
discovery  whose  object  is  the  prevention  of  pain  is  of  slight  interest." 

Id  Paris  the  announcement  of  the  discovery  was  received  with  all  but  indi 
ference.     Volpeau,   Roux,   Magendie,  and   others,  politely  declined   using  i\  Nei 
discovery.  ""liiei 

Letters  came  pouring  in  upon  Dr.  Morton  from  all  over  the  civilized  worli  Jenij 
many  of  them  upbraiding  him  with  having  announced  the  claims  of  a  humbu    ' 
The  Parisian  academicians  charged  him  with  preniaturely  publishing  his  dif| 


Ma! 


DR.    WM.    T.    G.    IfdfrPilK  Mi 

<?ry,     lie  rtceired  cor  stADt  visits  from  professions)  gentleni(-p,  whocnrnmnirr! 

'.ime  with  speculHtive  doul'ts,  <|Utstionin^  the  Hccuracy  of  hih  cxpeiiim  i  '". 

'  '  '       *  V,'  ilian  this,  it  wa«  Kll»'ji«(i 

».      "A   fatal    haliit/'   it 


.i.t*  weit*  wiHj.j»cil    ia    j»rt»tui. 

.  the  h«'use  all  to  hiniSi'If."      I 

1  the  U80  of  impure  ether  1}  ■■>  liequuut.  indeed,  tliat  pro»- 

'ion  was  threatened  for  aduiu              ^     :  Meanwhile,  all    eyes  were 

ed  OQ  Dr.  Morton  as  the  respousible  penou,  and  he  felt  that  something  ibuaI 

.1...    .i,..ne  ,I..,;.;v..  vi..i>  l,e  tkkett,  '^'■■'  '*♦  r»n,...  .,r   tl.g  discovery  would   fall 

')ue(l.     II  ce,  in  his  memoir  to  the 

I   aut^iiiv,  luiL  me  leSult  of  H  iik -ugiiiini  coii.iuilalioa  WHS,  ihat    liO  bet- 
>  t'ould  be  devised  to  rigidly  confine  this  new  and   powerful  aiT'-ncy  to 
'  '   .    '  '         'i  -.  than  the  i 

in   tainp*  I 
.10  time,  1  ,,?aion  to  1 

.  tluly  qua  iiticle  wi; 

'Ver  doubted  that  :j  the  pateiiL 

a-*  the  public  goo.;       ^  ;  •'"  such  reiml  i  s 

^j  require.     At  any  rate,  he  was   deiermiued    to  stem   the  tide 

-^  -  .liii.^f  th»'  use  of  ether,  and  it  was  due  to  his  family  to  secure 

from  ex  pobt  facto. claimants  who  might  arise.    The 

...vo^:  ^..cumstances,  p:oeure<!,   and   simultaneously  with  its 

',  throug)i  the  lale  John  G.  Warren,  free   permissiuu   to  such 

Hj.^tiLuiions  as  he  chose  to  name,  the  free  use  of  ether.     TJie  pat- 

.  remedied  a   few  only  of  these  evils;  most,  of  them  continued  iu 

r  lull  intensity  long  after  it  n\ 

rom  the  first,  and  for  many  }  ton   made  vigorous  exertions  to 

odure  his  discovery  to  the  public,  aiiu  Lo  !'• 
of  itH  bent  fits,  and   the  best   mod-s   of  :. 

Htions,  setting   for'.  -,  and   its  best   inoii--   of 

-  uporj  the  human  s\  ing   the   apparatus  iL^-n 

-idered  requisite  to  its  successful  administration,  would  be  the  most  etfectual 

.     atis  iif  bringing   his  discovery  to  the  knowledge  of  the   public,  he,  at  great 

■•ij  f!  -  •,  caused  large  amounts  of  information  to  he  printed  and  circulated,  not 

'    '     '    dl  sections  of  the  United   Stn*   v  ^  ■•*   in   Europe.     The  effect  of  these 

ions  was  to  almost  immediate  general  attention  to  the  disconery, 


laber  of  the  Suffolk  bar  : 

Uichard  11.  Dana,  counsellor  at-law  -  savs  : 

'  I  am   familiar  with   it.     I  have  k  ! orts  of  Dr.  Morton 

I)   bring  forward    the  discovery  aiid   to    .  is  f^lative  thereto. 

jife  has  <on8tantly  been  making  such  effo:!^;  .. 1  the  matter  up  with 

il  energy,  and   has  encountered  difficulties  wliich  I  think  would  have 

;  ..,  >i  almost  any  other  man.     I  have  always  thought  that  a  di«''"7"i''hing 

rit  in  him  has  been  that  he  had  the  courage,  1  may  say  the  hai  >  per- 

.iji^svere  in  his  experiments  with  sulphuric  ether,  in  a  manner  whi<  h  a  m  at  any 

"3llier  person  would  have  feared   to  adopt,  nc til   he  had  demonstiated  that  it 


32  DE.   WM.   T,   a.   MOETON. 

might  be  used  with  entire  safety,  and  would  produce  the  eflPect  of  absolute  in- 
sensibility." 

Peleg  W.  Chandler,  counsellor-at-law,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says : 

"  From  what  I  have  seen  and  heard  in  this  community,  I  have  no  doub< 
that  he  has  dtvoted  himself  mainly  to  the  subject  referred  to,  for  many  years 
with  great  industry,  perseverance,  zeal,  and  ability,  and  he  seems  to  have  la- 
bored under  every  discouragement." 

"  Whatever  may  have. been  the  personal  merits  of  his  discovery,  I  do  no' 
believe  it  would  have  been  in  use  to  this  day  if  he  had  not  followed  it  up  ai 
he  did." 

*'  Doctor  Morton  met  with  embarrassments  enough  to  dishearten  most  men 
I  have  always  felt  that  his  remuneration  for  the  vast  benefit  to  the  world  con 
ferred  by  his  discovery  has  been  totally  inadequate.  For  one,  I  feel,  and  al 
ways  have  felt,  grateful  to  him  as  one  of  the  greatest  benefactors  of  mankin( 
of  the  present  age." 

As  it  was  obvious  that  until  the  nature  and  mode  of  applying  said  discover] 
was  more  fully  understood  than  was  practicable  upon  the  first  introductior 
thereof,  it  might  fail  of  success,  by  reason  of  ignorance  or  inexperience  on  th 
part  of  those  atteraptiog  to  employ  it,  Dr.  Morton  found  it  necessary  to  engagi 
experienced  assistants,  instruct  them  in  the  application  of  bis  discovery,  an(j 
send  them  forth  over  the  country,  to  bring  it  to  the  notice  of  medical  and  sun 
gical  men.  These  parties  he  provided  with  the  expensive  inhaling  apparatu' 
then  used,  and  with  large  quantities  of  high-priced  ether,  it  being  necessar;' 
that  it  should  be  chemically  pure,  in  order  to  produce  proper  ansBsthetic  eff'ectj 
The  assistants  themselves  were  generally  young  physicians,  of  professional  edu 
cation,  good  talents,  and  social  position,  calculated  to  personally  inspire  conf 
dence  where  the  discovery  might  be  regarded  with  distrust.  Many  of  ther, 
relinquished  their  private  practice  to  thus  aid  in  disseminating  informatio 
respecting  the  discovery,  and  had  to  be  well  compensated,  in  addition  to  th 
payment  of  their  heavy  travelling  expenses,  and  to  the  cost  of  the  ether  and  th 
apparatus  with  which  they  were  supplied,  thus  adding  large  expenditures  t 
those  otherwise  in  :urred.  One  of  Dr.  Morton's  assistants,  a  nephew  of  D 
John  C.  W.rTen,  on  whose  recommendation  he  was  engaged,  testified  as  follow, 
concerniTig-  the  expenditures  of  the  introduction  and  the  promulgation  of  th 
discovery : 

Edward  AA'arreu,  being  sworn,  says: 

"From  my  actual  knowledge,  while  engaged  in  behalf  of  the  applicant,  i 
before  stated,  and  from  information  otherwise  received,  I  state  that  from  the  tin 
of  said  discovery,  for  the  period  of  two  years  or  upwards,  Dr.  Morton  has  spei 
nearly  all  his  time,  strength,  and  energy  in  the  most  constant  and  strenuous  e 
ertions  to  introduce  said  discovery  to  the  public,  and  the  result  of  all  whit 
was  that  the  applicant's  business  was  utterly  destroyed,  his  health  material" 
injured,  and  be  was  irrecoverably  involved  in  debt.  For  the  purpose  of  intr 
ducing  said  discovery  he  has  employed  many  other  persons,  and  procured  to  1 
composed  and  published  many  pamphlets  and  other  documents,  for  all  which  1 
has  paid  lar^e  sums  of  money,  as  well  as  in  travelling  and  hotel  expenses,  cou 
sel  fees,  anc  f  -r  a  great  variety  of  other  services  performed  by  different  persoi 
in  the  same  matter.  The  whole  past  fourteen  yeans  have  been  devoted  by  hi 
almost  exclusively  to  this  discovery." 

As  Dr.  Morton's  practical  acquaintance  with  etherization  became  more  € 
tended,  he  ascertained  that  the  inhaling  apparatus,  which  was  elaborate  ai 
expensive,  was  not,  after  all,  necessary.  In  Paris,  as  stated  by  Dr.  Henry 
Bigelow  in  his  pamphlet  entitled  "Ether  and  Chloroform,"  experiments,! 
majority  of  which  had  been  failures,  were  successful  when  Dr.  Morton's  inhalii 
apparatus  arrived,  and  not  until  that  apparatus  had  been  used  did  those  gr^  Hieof 


moi 

he 
hd 

iBtro 

k 
mi 

DO  J 

iapo 
ma 

iniiit 
^t 

Di 
iiallj 
calciil 
Jfticlf 
persoc 
ftmfer 


DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MOKTOV.  33 

111  and  Tloux,  docl.irc,  in  iho  proponro  of  t|^o  two  ncadr mlf*3.  that 

tu-   «:i-v'i>,  I  >   %..i.-7  **agIori«iU.^  conquest  for  liuiniuiity."     Yrt  poor  aftrrwards 

Dr.  Morton  (!<'mon9trnt«Ml  that  tlie  pimple  application  of  a  fpon«3:o,  Rjitnmtpfl  with 

'         im1  applio»i  directly  to  tli    ^        Vi  and  no«trils  of  the  patient,  was  the  moH 

t.>rj'  motlo  of  a«lmini>t  •  vapor.     Ppr?onally  thf?*  was  to  him  a 

thrrc  wa.s  no  u>e  for  tli  ]tnrchar»e(!  or  c  1   for  hy  him, 

•i<r  on  h?ind  or  in  proc<  tnrr.     Thif*  ;"  th^  follow- 

I      'on. 


.lofpph  liumett,  fccinsr  swam,  says: 

:    yon  have  examined  all  the  item*'  of  wiid 
.  j    .;  L  .!..:,_..- lor 'inhaling  appanitn.f,' or  ]>ortion3  thereof, 

and  whether,  from  your  knowledge  of  the  information  existing 
,u  ill'  1  I'  ^ii  '.  times  said  x:harge:5i  are  dated,  on  the  part  of  Morton  or  any 
other  person,  the  ?nm3  so  charged  for  the  iteni:^  named  were  deemed  necessary 
or  rea:»onahlc  to  bring  said  discovery  before  tlie  public  Also  state  what  wa.^ 
the  character  of  your  said  knowledge. 

"Answer.  In  my  opinion,  from  the  in  f  i  I  had  on  the  s  '  *  illy, 

at  tie-  time,  I  should  say  they  were  not  w  ible  for  the  pu  icd, 

having  in  view  the  fact  that  at  first  there  wa.s  opposition  to  the  iiher,  and  that 
it  se«  m 'd  to  be  necessary  to  give  unusual  facilities  to  medical  people,  such  as 
funiislung  thetn  with  apparatu>s  without  charge,  &Cm  to  induce  them  to  test  the 
discovery.  1  give  this  as  opiuion  merely.  1  have  exauiined  the  items  inquired 
aI)out.  ily  knowK-dge  was  derived  from  being  qnite  conversant  with  the  early 
history  of  the  ether  discovery," 

O.  P.  Drake,  apparatus  and  instalment  maker,  being  sworn,  says : 
"Answer.  I  do.  He  did  make  great  attempts.  He  spent  a  great  deal  of 
money  in  them,  txnd  lost  a  great  deal.  They  commenced  about  the  time  I  first 
knew  him.  They  were  continued  whenever  I  had  any  knowledge  of  him.  He 
had  a  large  establishment  in  Tremont  Row,  and  operators  there  to  introduce  the 
discovery.  If  it  had  not  been  for  these  efforts  the  thing  never  would  have  been 
introdnc  rl,  pcrbips,  for  a  long  time.  They  were  exceedingly  persistent  and 
eaniest;  \ «  i  y  much  so." 

A.  E.  Giles,  being  sworn,  says: 

•  '"         •    Yes;  1  have.     In  1847  I  T     •   "^^      w-  of  his  efifort^  in    "      "       ilf. 
I  ^^  yi'd  by  him,  and  know  th  >  'rt^  have  been  p(  ;  u\d 

comiiii    1        They  have  been  attended  ^\  ,  time,  and  labor,  with 

no   s..f;M.ii  :niy  or  adequate  rcsultn.     1  (  i  uvery  to  be  the  most 

imp'-rtint  and  beneticial  to  mankind  of  i  ul  agr*.     Difficulties  arose  be- 

canst   11'  M,,!,.  ^fnerally  had,  at  first,  tin  i'  '.•  inhalation  of  sulphunc  ether 

Wis  is.     I  have  always  consi  <  verance  of  Doctor  Morton 

•n  iuL.  .,,..o;.jg  the  di.scovery  to  the  v.w,..i  ,....,  i..,   ....liu  thing  whicli  ultimately 
I'came  the  opposition  to  it  arising  from  the  cause  named." 

Doriug  the  whole  of  the  time  abo^-e  referred  to.  Doctor  Mort<in  wa.s  contin- 
ually having  cireubUed  through  this  country  and  Europe  printed  publications 
calculated  to  bring  his  discovery  into  use,  and  was  procuring  the  publication  of 
irticbjs  ia  leading- journals,  setting  forth  tb^-  b..M..tits  of  his  improvements.  He 
jersonally  visitrd  >evej-al  of  the  princip  t' the  United  States  in  order  to 

^>nfer  with  practitioners  who  were  adopung  m^  discovery,  and  he  kept  np  an 
eusive  correspondence  in  which  he  indicated  tho  safety  and  urged  the  general 
I  ISO  of  etheiization.     From  the  testimony  of  several  editors  and  publishers  show- 
lug  the  extent  and  variety  of  Doctor  ^lorton's  labors  in  promulgating  his  infor- 


34  DR.    WM.    T.   G.  MORTON. 

Elizur  Wright,  now  insurance  commissioner,  but  well  known  as  an  ex-editor, 
being  sworn,  says : 

"  2d  interrogatory.  Have  you  any  knowledge  of  any  efforts,  at  any  time,  made 
by  said  Morton  to  introduce  his  said  discovery  to  the  public,  to  give  the  latter 
knowledge  of  it,  and  to  bring  it  into  general  use'?  If  yea,  how  long  since  did 
such  efforts  commence,  to  your  knowledge  1  How  long  were  they  continued? 
What  has  been  their  character  as  respects  earnestness  and  persistence  1  With 
what  success  have  they  been  attended  ?     If  you  know,  state  fully. 

"Answer.  I  have.  They  commenced  in  about  1846.  They  have  been  con- 
tinued ever  since,  so  far  as  I  know,  and  I  have  known  up  to  within  two  or  three 
years.  They  have  been  zealous,  indefatigable,  and  enthusiastic.  They  must 
have  given  great  knowledge  to  the  public  about  the  discovery.  He  has  pub- 
lished reams  about  it.  I  have  written,  myself,  I  suppose,  a  dozen  articles  in 
relation  to  it. 

**  3d  inteiTogatory.  Do  you  consider  said  Morton  a  man  of  energy  and  per- 
sistence of  character  ?  Has  he,  so  far  as  your  knowledge  extends,  displayed  those 
qualities  in  a  marked  degree,  in  bringing  said  discovery  into  public  use  ]  If  yea, 
state  what,  in  your  opinion,  would  have  been  the  result  as  to  said  discovery,  had 
the  same  not  been  kept  persistently  before  the  public  by  said  Morton. 

"  Answer.  He  is  a  man  of  great  energy.  I  think  he  has.  It  might  have  been  Ik 
made  by  others,  but  it  wouldn't  have  been  brought  into  use  so  soon  but  for  j  k 
Morton." 

Samuel  Isl.  Hobbs,  late  editor  Boston  Atlas  and  Bee,  being  swoni,  says : 

"  I  do  know  a  great  many  such  efforts.  They  commenced  about  the  time  I 
first  knev/  anything  about  him.  They  have  been  kept  up,  to  my  knowledge, 
ever  since,  up  to  a  short  time.  He  has  driven  the  matter  just  as  hard  and  as 
energetically  as  a  man  could  all  the  time  I  have  known  about  him.  They  have 
met  with  the  success  of  bringing  the  discovery  very  prominently  before  the 
public." 

David  Clapp,  printer  and  publisher  of  Boston  Medical  Journal,  being  sworn* 
says : 

*'  I  was  familia\r  with  his  efforts  when  he  was  here.  These  efforts  commenced 
about  the.  year  1846.  They  were  continued  whenever  I  knew  anything  about 
them.  He  always,  seemed  to  be  very  much  engaged  in  them,  and  persevered 
constantly.  So  fa?'  as  I  know,  1  think  they  certainly  had  the  effect  to  draw 
great  attention  to  tile  discovery  on  the  part  of  the  public. 

"Answer.'  Ido;^  more  than  the  avetage.  Yes,  I  should  think  it  had.  I 
should  think  it  would  not  have  been  known  without  his  efforts.  In  1847  DrJ 
Morton  bi-wught  his/  discovery  before  Congress,  and  urged  its  adoption  into  the  sto^ 
medical  department  of  the  United  States  armies  engaged  in  the  Mexican  war. 
The  pommittee  to^  whom  the  subject  was  referred,  however,  terminated  their 
investigations  on  t  he  reception  of  a  few  letters  unfavorable  to  the  discovery, 
written  by  those  who  were  beginning  to  zealously  array  themselves  against  itslifrm 
adoption.  So  anyaous  was  Dr.  Morton  to  give  the  soldiers  and  sailors  engaged 
in  the  campaign,  the  benefits  of  etherization  that  he  urged  its  adoption  in  the 
War  and  Navy  .bepartments,  stipulating  that  each  administration  of  the  vapoi 
should  cobt  hut  one  or  two  cents.  Owing  to  the  professional  distrust  with  which  allils, 
innovations  ori  oldl-cstablished  practice  are  regarded,  this  offer  was  also  rejected.* 

Indeed,  n^jthing  but  the  most  persevering  and  determined  efforts  on  the  pail  ^^ 
of  Dr.  Mort'on  prevented  the  disuse  of  the  discovery.  'For  weeks  after  the  tw( 
public  trial.'p  at  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital  there  was  no  application  o; 
etherizatiorf ,  and  patients  wore  operat/<3d  upon  as  before.  But  the  enthusiastic 
discovenr  was  determined  that  the  public  should  enjoy  the  inestimable  blessings 
ni  liis  (];  I  ovcry,  and  he  fitted  up,  at  his  own  expense,  apartments  for  its  appli  % 


hix 


pa.  WM.    T.   G.    MORTOm  35 


tion.     By  the  pa3nnent  of  a  coosldemblo  bonw  ke  dMiiBad  the  immcdiato  Pur- 

rcnd<?r  of  the   lonsoB  of  a  buildin^z:  ndjacent  to  his  office  in  lJ()?»ton,  which  hv 

immediately  had  jiroperly  fumisheil  mu\  pre|>ared  for  the  perfomianc**  of  oprr;i- 

n  all  who  miirlit  dr.-^irt'  to  puhmit  to  them  under  th»'  n       '      '"  A' 

«n.     At  the  fiirno  timo  ho  niTnif'd  pevtrHJ  jinsi>i;intH  t"  f 

•rly  all  educaud    j»i.\>^i- 
{or  their  time.     Yi  i   lii** 
rrmunrratioti  nrrivrd  hy  him  I  -id   l>ut   little  or  nothino:,  a«  until 

the  6ucce?!?  and  pafcty  of  the  «.  inc  linnly  t'Stabli.><he(!,  the  larire 

number  of  thoj«c  who  submitted  to  tilicrization  did  ho  either  from  curiosity  or 
gt  th"  «•  ini.  <r  solicitation  of  Dr.  Motion  or  his  assistants. 

13  :  ts  and  expenditures  which  have  been  bnefly  det;iihd.  Dr.  lilorton 

was  a|.^.  i:i  nily  succeedin"^  in  brincriiiL;  his  discovery  bt  fore  the  ))ublic,  when  he 

was  arretted  by  a  formidable  opposirio!i.  which,  for  a  time,  jiamlyzed  his  exer- 

1  involved  him  in  pecuniary  (iiib.uTas-nv'nts  of  a  ruinous  n.-itun*.     Thi.^ 

I  fii"8t  manifested  itself  in  an  orgTuiizc  d  attack  upon  him  and  his  dis- 

:y  by  a  lar^  number  of  the  dental  profession  in  Boston,     'i'his  attack,  and 

^position  from  ihi?  source.  wa.s  followed  r.j)  for  a  peat  leng'^h  of  time  with 

'  \'irul<*nce,  its  originators  nssortinp:  and  proftv^sin^  to  cite  authentic 

'n-ive  instances  of  actual  cas«  s  in  which  ether  had  produced  the  most 

oTs  uj>oii  patients  who  had  been  treated  with  it.     Publi-lu'd  matter 

1  by  these  parties  throughout  the  country,  with  the  design  and 

!r  of  sthring  np  a  general  feeling  of  distrust  and  hostility.     To  such  an 

,f  ....v..  t],e.^e  measures  carried  tliat  in  a  short  time  a  violent  tide  of  public 

■xcited  against  said  discovery;  to  overcome  which  his  time  and 

M  fjuired  for  a  protracted  period.     Widely  circulated  articles  in  lead- 

•al  journals  in  aiffercnt  parts  of  the  United  States  were  published 

Tth  the  danger  of  the  new  ngr>nt,  artd  strongly  urging  the  abolition  of 

if  on  the  part  of  the  modiml  profession,  and  thf  disrnuntenancing  of 

•lie  at  large.     In  c'  '*  of  the  l'  'ion  aroused  by 

!it  pvA  systematic  Dr.  Mort<  imfl  the  public 

''    to  his  disco\ery,  and  to  such  a  d.gnc  that  in  a  short 

ileserted  by  his  patients.     Plence  he  was  foicod  to  relin- 

.1  his  nji.irinu  nt.-.  and  as  he  had  received  but  a  trilling  recompense,  as  has 

;;  iilnady  stated,  for  Operations  therein  performed,  ih.  expense  incurred  by 

li<    ;  ;.   :         of  the  lease  and  the  cost  of  fitting  up  hft  him  in  an  (mbarrassed 

ill  li,  w.iile  h*^  v.as  tlie  object  of  widespread    md  vitiilent  attacks,  and  his 

)very  was  heralded  as  not  only  worthless. but  as  injurious.     These  facts  are 

■  substantiated  by  a  large  amount  of  testimony  from  leading  physicians, 

"Ons,  and  business  men  of  Boston,  from  which  a  few  extracts  are  selected : 

11  1  : y  .1.  Bigiilow,  M.  D.,  physician  and  surgeon,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says: 

'  •       "de.    Great  pr       '  n- 

;:ned.  even  tf  !it 

■      ■  'IJ- 

whether  it  was  safe,*  he  would  v»  v  been  indicted  for  man- 

pthter,  in  rashly  and  ignorantly  expe::...  •:  -d  ■  ii  an  untried  and  powerftil 
nt. 

He  has  always  been  full  of  it.  Before  it  was  generally  adopted  he  did,  I 
uld  think,  everything  which  a  man  could  to  introduce  it." 

Augustus  A.  Gould,  physician,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says  : 

"  There  was  a  strong  opposition  to  it  in  this  city,  and  more  especially  cUe- 

,  rhere.   The  administration  of  it  was  denounced  generally,  and  many  articles  were 

ritten  against  it  in  the  medical  and  daily  journals.     I  don't  know  that  any 


36  DR    WM.    T.   G.  MORTON. 


tlOD 


thing  further  was  attempted  than  writing  articles,  and  denunciations  in  private 
conversations. 

"  Dr.  Morton  wrote  and  talked  too.  I  have  seen  several  pamphlets  prepared, 
I  suppose,  at  his  instance  and  at  his  expense. 

*'  While  he  boarded  with  me,  which  was  two  or  three  months  during  its  earliest 
administration,  he  was  overwhelmed,  day  and  night,  in  managing  the  administra- 
tion and  introduction  of  ether.  He  became  very  nervous,  and  lost  strength.  Aa 
to  his  business  I  have  no  acquaintance. 

"  There  was  much  indignation  and  disapprobation  from  many  of  the  profes- 
sion, especially  from  the  dentist's,  and  also«in  several  instances  by  patients.  In 
one  or  two  instances  prosecutions  were  threatened,  not  particularly  on  account 
of  the  mode  of  administration,  but  for  administering  it  at  all,  and  for  the  injurious 
effects  supposed  to  be  in  consequence."  L. 

Joseph  Burnet,  druggist  and  chemist,  of  Boston,  being  sworn,  says : 

"  Interrogatory  7.  How  much  of  Dr.  Morton's  time  was  devoted  to  the  intro- 
duction and  defence  of  ether  during  the  first  six  months  or  year  after  its  intro- 
duction ? 

"  Answer.  I^should  say  almost  entirely. 

"  Interrogatory  8.  What  had  been  the  state  of  his  business  up  to  that  time  ? 
What  effect  had  these  labors  of  his  upon  it  ? 

"  Answer.  It  had  been  at  times  very  flourishing,  and  was,  I  think,  a  growings 
business.  These  labors  of  his  injured  his  business,  of  course.  He  neglected  it, 
and  it  fell  off. 

"  Interrogatory  9.  Had  his  labors  in  the  matter  of  ether  any,  and  what,  effect 
on  his  health  1  .        ' 

"Answer.  It  injured  his  health  and  affected  his  whole  nervous  system — this 
constant  excitement.  It  rendered  hira  weak,  so  much  so  that  he  was  obliged  to 
employ  a  physician ;  he  took  medicine  at  that  time,  and  active  remedies. 

"Interrogatory  10.  Whether  or  not,  after  the  introduction  of  ether.  Dr.  Mor- 
ton enlarged  his  premises,  and  had  numerous  assistants  whom  he  had  not  before 
had? 

"Answer.  Yes>  he  enlarged  his  premises,  and  I  remember  two  or  three  extr* 
assistants. 

"Interrogatory  11.  Wliether  or  not,  after  the  introduction  of  ether,  Dr.  Mor-? 
ton's  rooms  were  thronged  by  persons  who  wished  to  avail  themselves  of  the 
painless  extraction  of  teeth  ?  ^ 

"  Answer.  A  great  many  persons  went  there  to  have  their  teeth  extracted, 
without  pain.     I  never  saw  his  room  filled.  j 

"He  labored,  very  constantly  and  very  energetically  in  employing  agents^, 
publishing  books,  and  advertising.     There  was  a  feeling  of  considerable  hostility 
on  the  part  of  the  dentists  towards  Morton.   They  held  a  meeting  or  meetings  on 
the  subject,  and  published  a  circular,  which  I  heard  one  of  Morton's  agents  say,^^' 
he  met  with  in  almost  every  State  of  the  Union."  P^P^^^ 

In  order  to  refute  the  assertions  of  his  opponents,  and  to  overcome  the  op^*    * 


E 
etheri 


position  to  the  more  general  introduction  of  his  discovery,  Dr.  Morton  the  morej 
industriously  put  in  circulation  facts  demonstrating  its  value.  The  mass  of  in- 
foimation  received  by  him  in  letters  from  scientific  men  and  eminent  practi- 
tioners at  home  and  abroad,  the  regular  reports  made  to  him  by  his  own  pro- 
fessional assistants  throughout  the  country,  with  the  results  of  his  own  practice 
and  continued  researches,  were  all  carefully  digested  and  at  once  published.  He 
thus  disseminated  a  large  amount  of  new  and  valuable  infoimation  at  biief  in- 
tervals, which  convinced  the  most  sceptical,  instructed  those  professional  men 
who  were  disposed  to  use  the  newly  dipcovered  agent,  and  indoctrinated  the 
people  of  the  Old  and  New  World  with  a  well-founded  faith  in  the  use  of  anses- 
thetic  agents.     Many  medical  men  in  the  United  States  who  had  at  first  looked! 


Hi 

k   ■ 


DR.    WM.    T.    G.    MORTON.  S7 

with  di.^tnist  ujwn  what  T  '  <\  as  an  innovation  on  th(M'  liuil 

Bystim  of  ])rnctic«'.  now  '  that  they  wltc  forced  to  .  !icir 

opinion  hy  :  wliich  cnian.Ucd   f  ur- 

ircons  and  ju  '         .  '  •*  rcpnlilidliod  and  i  ''Wt 

Jtha  United  8tate8  by  Dr.  Morton  and  those  whom  he  had  enlisted  in  promulga- 
ting the  new  discovery. 

The  cost  of  preparinj^  and  of  diatributiiij:  thes*e  documents,  tlie  necessity  for 
ihem  eiietinjj:,  as  before  naid,  for  an  extended  Knij^li  of  time,  was  very  j^reat, 
And  there  is  abundant  evi<lence  that  but  for  Dr.  Morton's  indefati<:jable  ctForts  at 
this  time,  involving  the  ruin  of  his  health,  his  professional  practice,  and  his  pe- 
cuniary mcjins,  the  discovery  would  have  been  driven  out  of  use,  and  the  jiublic 
would  have  been  deprived  of  its  benefit.     These  assertions  are  thus  estubUshed: 

George  Hayward,  M.  D.,  being  sworn,  says : 

"  Ever  since  I  have  known  Doctor  Morton  he  has  seemed  to  me  to  think  of 
nothing  but  ether,  and  of  making  the  world  admit  his  claim  to  a  proper  pronor- 
ion  of  the  merit  of  the  di}»covery.     1  consider  that  his  labors  to  give  the  oen- 

rt  of  it  to  the  public  could  hardly  be  exceeded  by  any  one." 
J.  Mason  Warren,  physician  and  surgeon,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says : 

"  I  have  known  considerable  about  such  efforts,  and  they  have  always,  as  far 
kas  my  means  of  information  extended,  been  earnest,  persistent,  and  well  calcu- 
Jated  to  effect  a  speedy  recognition  of  the  value  of  etherization.  It  early  be- 
Kjiuue  widely  adopted,  and  since  then  he  has,  when  I  have  seen  him,  been  con- 
etautly  engaged  in  establishing  his  ri;j;ht  to  his  pre'ponderatiug  share  in  making 
tthe  discovery." 

Theodore  Metcalf,  of  Boston,  being  sworn,  says  : 

"  I  have  known  of  freouent  attempts  by  Doctor  Morton  of  the  nature  inquired 
about.  From  the  first  of  iiis  bringing  out  said  discoveiy,  I  have  had  knowhjdge 
that  li'^  devoted  himself  to  it  constantly,  pursuing  the  matter  unceasingly  and 
wi  '  -ing  ener^'v — I  may  say  inthusiasm.     Indeed,  I  have  never  knoAvn 

an\  )out  him  when  he  has  not  seemed  entirely  wrapped  up  in  etlieriza- 

tion.     He  has  constantly  been  working,  and  writing,  and  publishing  about  it." 

Robert  J.  Burbank,  counsellor-at-la\v,  Boston,  being  sworn,  says  : 

"  Dr.  Morton  did  make  great  efft>rts,  in  the  winter  of  184»'5-'46,  to  introduce 
to  the  public  his  discovery,  and  he  haa  been  active  in  such  efforts  ever  since* 
He  is  a  man  of  ven/  great  energy,  and  in  my  bchef  he  has  applied  hitnscli* 
hpith  all  his  energy  to  the  introduction  of  his  discovery  to  the  public." 

J.  P.  Putnam,  being  duly  sworn,  says  ; 

"  Ever  since  I  have  known  anything  about  him,  he  has  been  wrapped  up  in 
etherization,  doing  all  he  could  to  2)ush  it,  and  to  estiiblish  his  rights  to  his  share 
in  making  it."     ^  • 

Medical  men  now  admit  the  value  and  importance  of  the  discovery  in  glowing 
lauL'HML'e.  The  venerable  and  sago  Doctor  Warren,  who  performed  the  above 
operation,  says  :  , 

"  A  new  era  has  opened  to  the  operating  surgeon  f  His  visitations  on  the 
most  delicate  ])art8  are  performed,  not  only  without  the  agonizing  screams  he 
has  been  accustomed  t^  hear,  but  sometimes  ^vith  a  state  of  perfect  insensibility, 
\m\  occasionally  even  with  the  expression  of  pleasun^  on  the  jiart  of  the  patient 
Who  could  have  imagined  that^rawing  the  knife  over  the  delicate  skin  <»f  the 
face  might  produce   .1  >n  of  unmixed   delight?     ThA  the   ■  ;..] 

twisting  of  instrumeii  most  sensitive  bladder  niiglit  1h>  ace  .    \,\ 

1  beautiful  dream  ?     That  the  con:  *   anchyl  •-  lid  co-exist 

,  'with  a  celestial  vision  I     If  Ambro.  andLouL-,       .    1  .i,  and  Ches- 


3S  '  DE.    WM.    T.    G     MORTON. 

selden,  and  Hunter,  and  Cooper,  could  see  what  our  eyes  daily  witness,  liow 
would  they  long  to  come  among  us  and  perform  their  exploits  once  more !  And 
with  what  fresh  vigor  does  the  living  surgeon,  who  is  ready  to  resign  the  scal- 
pel, grasp  it,  and  wish  again  iro  go  through  his  career  under  the  new  auspices !  " 

The  grave  and  sedate  Listen  says : 

"Hurrah!  Rejoice!  Mesmerism  and  its  professors  have  met  with  a  'heavy 
blow,  and  great  discouragement.'  An  American  dentist  has  used  ether  (inhala- 
tion of  it)  to  destroy  sensation  in  his  operations,  and  the  plan  has  succeeded  in 
the  hands  of  Warren,  Hayward,  and  others,  in  Boston.  Yesterday  I  amputated 
a  thigh,  and  removed,  by  revulsion,  both  sides  of  the  greal  toe  nail,  without  the 
patient  being  aware  of  what  was  doing,  so  far  as  regards  pain.  The  amputa- 
tion-man heard,  he  says,  whart  we  said,  and  was  conscious,  but  felt  neither  the 
pain  of  the  incisions,  nor  that  of  tying  the  vessels.  In  short,  he  had  no  sensa- 
tion of  pain  in  the  operating  theatre.  I  mean  to  use  it  to-day,  in  a  case  of 
stone.     In  six  months  no  operation  will  be  performed  without  this  precaution." 

The  importance  of  Dr.  Morton's  discovery  having  thus  been  fully  established, 
it  speedily  met  Avith  the  recommendation  of  the  medical  officers  of  the  national 
government,  and  was,  by  the  authorization  of  the  proper  departments,  introduced 
into  the  public  service  in  the  army  and  navy,  but  without  any  compensation 
being  then  or  ever  made  to  him  for  such  appropriation,  and  without  reference 
to  the  careful  protection  thereof  which  he  had  secured  by  the  letters  patent. 

Although  the  public,  wheti  apprised  of  this  disregard  by  government  of  its 
own  promised  protection  of  the  rights  of  the  discoverer,  at  once  commenced  to 
avail  themselves  of  the  discovery.  Dr.  Morton  had  secured  a  great  advantage 
from  his  letters  patent.  Had  it  been  known  that  all  could  administer  and 
experiment  with  the  then  mysterious  agent,  when  its  marvellous  power  was 
first  announced,  and  before  it  had  been  fully  and  fairly  tested  by  scientific 
men,  thfe  most  disastrous  results  might  have  followed. 

John  0.  Wan-en,  p.  34,  "Etherization,"1847,  says:  "It  was  proposed  in 
France  to  pass  an  ordinance  to  prohibit  the  sale  of  ether,  excepting  under  the 
prescription  of  a  physician."  (For  reasons  more  particular,  see  p.  33,  same  as 
above.)  While  protected  by  the  letters  patent,  this  agent  was  wholly  in  the 
hands  of  professional  men,  instructed  by  Dr.  Morton  either  in  person  or  through 
his  assistants,  and  care  was  taken  that  only  a  pure  article  was  used.  Accidents, 
which  might  have  been  frequent  and  fatal  if  quacks  and  pretenders  could  have 
used  the  discovery,  without  Instruction  or  information,  were  guarded  against, 
and  the  employment  of  so  dangerous  an  instrument  by  burglars  or  other 
criminals  was  effectually  prohibited. 

Havino-  perfected  his  discovery,  surrounded  it  with  scientific  safeguards,  and 
received  the  indorsement  of  the  leading  practitioners  of  Europe  and  America, 
Dr.  Morton  had  no  longer  any  desire  for  protection  agains|  what  otherwise 
might  have  been  a  fatal  and  pernicious  use  of  the  agent  which  lie  had  so 
carefully  introduced  for  the  relief  of  suflering  humanity.  Desirous  that  it  should 
be  widely  and  generally  used,  he  had  ever  felt  that  he  would  receive  his  reward 
from  the  nation  rather  than  from  individuals,  and  that  the  profession  and  the 
public  would  regard  the  mere  question  of  patent  as  very  insignificant  compared 
with  the  discovery  itself,  or  the  gratitude  due  for  it ;  besides,  a  patent  in  the 
profession  to  which  Dr.  Morton  belongs   is  not  the  subject  of  unfavorable 

comment.  t     i       t^     n»r  i     i  j-  i 

No  sooner  was  it  conclusively  established  tliat  Dr.  Morton  had  discovered  a 
remedial  agent,  of  priceless  value  to  sufi'ering  humanity,  and  that  it  had  been 
api)ropriatc^d  by  the  general  government,  than  the  medical  and  surgical  staff 
of  the  hospital  in  which  ho  made  his  inaugural  experiments  united  in  an  appeal 
to  Con^^ress  that  he  should  be  reimbursed  for  his  great  outlay  of  money,  and 


DR.   VrSl.   T.    G.   MORTON.  39 

ni)pro])natily  rcmuncrntrd  for  tho  mat  boon  wliich  he  li.ifl  ronf.rrcd,  not  only 
upon  the  nation,  but  «[>on  tho  world. 

Much  has  bo(  n  saiJ,  when  ppoakinp:  of  tho  difficnlfirs  unrh-r  which  Dr. 
Morton  has  labored,  of  tho  pocuninr}'  lo«««»('.-<  whicli  hnvr*  rcf^Tiltrd  to  iiini  in 
cont^equencc  of  the  discovoxj-.     It  I  i   stated  in  broad  tenn^  that  tiiey 

were  heavy,  but  the  figures'  of  the  s'.  .  mselvoa  can  alon*-  t'iinii?h  a  proper 

realization  of  bow  large  tbeise  were : 

IVilliam   T.  G.  Morton  in  account  with  hi»  discovery,  from  October,  1846,  to 

1863.  Dr. 

1S47  :  Tranelatinjr  and  publi^bing  several  editions  of  report  of  Ameri- 
can ca5<  'mt  documents  for  use  abroad,  with  cxp(  n.-ios 
of  their  i  >  -  ion,  with  ether  aiul  apparatus,  together  with 
postage,  ireighi  duties,  aud  cost  of  foreign  correspondence. .  $2,  860 
Various  iirofes-sional  aud  scientific  men,  for  services  rendered 
in  promulgating  discovery,  collecting  cases,  demonstrating 
value  where  opposition  existed,  togetbcr  with  their  travel- 
ling expenses* 3, 162 

Various  literary  gentlemen,  for  procuring  favorable  opinions  of 
the  pret*s,  preparation  of  replies,  and  other  papers,  with  sal- 
ary of  private  secretary 2,  100 

Printing  and  publishing  of  papers  and  pamphlets  during  intro- 
duction of  discovery,  newspaper  articles,  circulars,  &c.,  &c.         4,  326 

Ether  distributed  among  professional  mcnt 2,  640 

.\    ;,  i;  .    ^  di.-tributed  among  professional  men| 3,  060 

.Aii'ai.i  u-  remaining  unsold 2,  000 

Deficiency  in  patent  account§ 2,  000 

Hotel  and  travelling  expenses  from  time  of  discovery  to  date, 
with  hack-hire,  telegraphing,  expressing,  d^c,  &c.,  $1,00' 

per  amiumjl i  / ,  .320 

Printing  aad  publishing,  &;c.,  from  1847  to  date^ 5,  999 

For  services,  to  Messrs.  Webster,  C'.  *  ^Virlisle,  Curtis,  Whi- 
ting, Dana,  Cornwall,  and  oth*  _     iicr  with  advice  and 

otiier  servici  -  '   '<d 12,5*30 

Expenses  for  t  i /i  jterpetuumat  Boston,  Ilartford,  and 
other  ci  adiug  examination  of  witnesses,  drawal  of 
papers,  i  i  expenses.  Sec 4, 870 

•These  were  usually  young  pbysiciftDi,  who.  xrhenever  a  fatal  case  or  non-soccets  was 
rei>orte<l,  ««  whs  cou^tlntly  being  done  durrai^  ilie  davB  of  op[K)sition,  were  iiutructed  in 
the  method  of  administration,  and  s<;  '  '  ''  t  :  ^T(>rton  to  counteract  the  feeliuj?.  Visits 
were  paid  by  them  to  New  York,  Phi  treal,  and  even  some  of  the  cities  of  the 

far  west. 

fThis  will  not  seem  &<>  when  it  is  recollected  that  at  the  time  Doctor  Morton 

rii:\,lr-  h^.;  .]■><•<. V. TV   th  \r>]   t.iir.'  washed  sulphiiric  rth.  r  w.ig  saircely   found 

w  no  call,  and!  :  :my  use  for  it,  few 

'      lirst  year  after  tii.  ry,  it  was  prepared 

ex\>re;'^ly  fur  I>ucU>r  Murts^a,  aud  thid,  with   the  btroog  bottles  mnuuiactured  for  its  safe 
cost  nearly  one  dollar  per  pound. 

truments,  at  lir-'  ;  but  by  gradual  alteration. 

•  contrirtg.  th.  .  d  to  $7  or  $3. 

■  '  t  '  I'Tii.ii  protession,  where  a  pitent  Is  not 

rit  kept  an  account  of  expenses  and  the 

^  includes  all  tho  exp>erises.     Those  who  have  en- 

.._:..',  or  have  livel  winter    •>  r  « Infer  at  Washington, 

can  fully  appreciate  why  it  should  be  even  much  more. 
^  Items  not  clussifie«L 


transmit? 

J' 

on.  c< 

receii.ia.      1 11 

li Large  as  t!. 
deavored  to  pu 

40  DE.   WM.   T.   G.   MOETON. 

Becording  of  testimony  in  Boston $169 

Cost  of  manufacture  of  nitrous  oxide  gas  for  experiment  at 

Washington* 50 

Expense  for  testimony  of  medical  and  surgical,  literary,  scien- 
tific, and  other  gentlemen,  also  assistants  to  aid  in  collecting 
the  same,  stationery,  copying,  printing,  binding,  postage, 
and  distributing  the  same  to  still  further  refute  opponents, 
overcome  opposition,  expense  of  the  suit  suggested  by  the 
President  of  the  United  States  as  a  prerequisite  to  paying 

Doctor  Morton 10,  255 

Interest 42,  000 

Sacrifice  of  income  17  years,  proved  to  be  worth  $10,  000  per 
annum,  but  put  down  in  this  account  at  only  one-half  that 
'  snmt 85,  000 


Total 200,  561 


Joseph  Burnett,  esq.,  a  chemist  of  Boston,  testifies  as  follows : 

"  Interrogatory  8.  What  had  been  the  state  of  his  business  up  to  that  time  ?  ■ 

What  effect  had  these  labors  of  his  upon  it  1 

"  Answer.  It  had  been  at  times  very  flourishing,  and  was,  I  thinlj:,  a  growing 

business.     These  labors  of  his  injured  his  business  of  course.    He  neglected  it, 

and  it  fell  off." 

In  this  condition  of  things,  the  petitioner,  on  the  23d  of  February,  1849,  filed 
his  petition  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  asking  compensation  for  his  ser- 
vices to  his  country  in  the  discovery  and  the  sun-ender  to  the  public  use  this 
most  important  medicinal  agent.  The  matter  was  fully  and  carefully  investigated, 
and  the  committee,  after  a  most  careful  consideration  of  the  matter,  expressed 
the  opinion  that  the  said  petitioner  was  the  true  discoverer,  but  referred  the  ques- 
tion of  compensation  to  the  House,  and  nothing  more  was  done  about  It. 

In  the  year  1852  he  again  petitioned,  and  after  a  very  thorough  examination, 
a  select  committee  of  the  House  agreed  to  and  drew  up  a  report  in  his  favor, 
which  was  not  actually  presented  to  the  House  for  want  of  time,  but  was  certi- 
fied to  by  the  Clerk  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  The  report  so  prepared 
considered  the  evidence  as  to  each  and  all  the  claimants,  and  concluded  in  favor  of 
the  claim  of  Dr.  Morton.  They  prepared  a  bill  for  his  relief,  but  the  business  of 
the  House  rendered  it  impossible  to  present  it.  In  their  prepared  report  the  select 
committee  say :  "  The  committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives  and  the  Mili- 
tary and  Naval  Committees  of  the  Senate  fully  concur  in  the  rec(?mmendation." 

^  This  was  for  the  trial  demanded  by  Doctor  Morton  to  disprove  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  congressional  committee  the  claim  of  Horace  Wells,  by  showii^g  the  inert  character  of 
the  agent  for  the  purposes  of  anaasthesis. 

t  This  sum  is  probably  much  below  the  truth.  The  gross  receipts  of  Doctor  Morton,  from  his 
business,  have  been  shown  in  a  previous  chapter.  On  the  1st  of  May,  1817,  (that  is,  but  a 
few  weeks  before  his  business  was  ruined  by  the  causes  before  stated,)  au  agreement  was 
made  with  Messrs.  Blaisdell  &  Hay  den,  by  which  they  were  bound  lo  pay  Doctor  Morton 
50  per  cent,  on  all  the  gross  receipts  from  the  business  then  on  hand  and  to  come,  he  to  be 
at  no  expense  for  rent,  materials,  tools,  &c.  One  item  of  the  business,  then  under  way, 
and  mentioned  in  the  agreement,  was  twenty  full  sets  of  teeth,  valued  at  about  $4,000. 
The  books  of  Doctor  Morton  were  examined  for  threo  successive  year^  previous  to  his  dis- 
covery, and  the  net  profits  were  found  to  bo  ten  thousand  per  annum.  Doctor  William 
Leavitt,  who  kept  Doctor  Morton's  books  several  years,  says  he  always  understood  his  prac- 
tice was  worth  about  ten  thousand  dollars  per  year.'  Only  one  half  of  the  stated  amount 
of  income  is  estimated  in  the  above  account ;  this  for  seventeen  years  would  amount  to 
$8S,000,  the  ittm  in  the  account. 


Vll,.)\^.    T.    O.   ^OBTON.  41 

The  cliairrann  of  tho  Bclect  conamhtec,  finding  it  impoesiblu  to  got  the  bill  up 

n  the  IIou:*(',  ami  f<'«'ling  tlu'  great  wrong  of  witlilioliliiig  n.'niuufration  from  oiiu 

'     '     '   '        souiuch  for  tb<' puMic  Hurvicc,  addrcstcil  a  li'ttor  to  tliochairmau  of 

on  Naval  Affairs  of  tin'  House*  of  RcpntfciitativcH.  the  object  of 

\\  w.i.-  to  urgo  upon  bis  considrration  t^  'i-abib'ty  h    '  icty  of  at- 

iig  the  bill  Hoby  bini  jiropurcd  to  tlan.  ul  navy  a;  iui  bill  for 

!ii*n  eu.-*uing  year.     The   cbainnan  of  thai  toninntivc  .i  Irttrr  to 

^(Tri'tary  of  tbc  Treasury,  the  War,  and  Navy  Dcpartm  i  wborahe 

\  ed  nplir."*,  rotating  the  ir  opiui«>n  of  the  vast  value  of  the  btiou  conferred 

;.    I  his  country  by  Dr.  ^Morton,  accompanied  by  a  report  from  the  chi«f  of  the 

Juroau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery  of  the  navy.     The  matter  way  submitted  to  the 

.Dnsideration  of  the  Military  and  Naval  UommitteeB  of  the  Senate,  and  each, 

J  n^solution,  recommended  an  amendment  to  the  army  appropriation  bill  in 

1'  ^ving  words : 

To  enable  the  President  of  the  United  States  to  procure  the  aiurunder  of 
10  ]  '  ■  ued  to  AVm.  T.  G.  Morton,  on  the  12th  day  of  November,  1846, 
»r  li:  :y  of  the  anaesthetic  properties  of  sulphuric  ether,  one  hundred 

lousaiid  dollars." 

Which  resolution  was  moved  in  the  Senate  by  Dr.  Borland,  but  being  ont  of 
le  usual  course  of  biu^iness,  was  lost,  kaWng  the  matter  again  at  large,  the 
!aim,  however,  supported  by  the  opinion  of  the  ^lilitary  and  Naval  Committees 
I'  the  Senate. 
Early  in  the  second  session  of  the  32d  Congress,  1S52,  the  subject  was 
l?OUffht  before  the  Senate  on  the  memorial  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  later  in  the  ses- 


on  upon  petition  of  the  members  of  the  Massachusetts  ^Icdical  Society,  on 

hich,  as  on  former  occasions,  counter  claims  were  presented.     The  chairman 

'  *hc  committee  having  examined  the  case,  very  fully  expressed  u  reasoned 

■')n  in  favor  of  the  claim  of  Dr.  Jlorton  ;  but  the  accumulated  evidence  then 

I  to  over  1,000  pages,  and  a.«^  tin  :  not  time  to  disc;  !   settle 

on  fully  in  the*  two  houses,  it  mined,  at  tbi  ion  of 

ner,  that  LU  appropriation  made  for  the  benetit  ot  the  dis- 

!;•»  titlr*  to  discovery  to  be  in  a  court  of  justice.     This  waB 

)  the  anny  appropriation  bill. 
:  II         .    This  bill  pJtssed  the  Senate 

rain  in  15^34,  but  with  no  better  success  in  the  House. 

It  seeming  impossible,  from  causes  wholly  irrespective  of  the  question  of  right, 
obtain  relief  by  the  action  of  Congress,  and  being  encouraged  by  the  favor- 
»k5  reports  from  committe^es  to  whom  the  claim  was  referrt»d,  and  the 
roTable  notice  of  executive  and  military  officers,  he  deteiinined  to  apply  at 
ce  to  the  I'rosident,  believing  it  to  be  cjuite  within  his  power,  as  commander- 
-chief  of  the  anny  and  navy,  to  give  an  order  that  would  comf)el  the  compen- 
tion  which  i"   '  '.  '  '  '    '       Mr,  accordingly,  on  the  loth  (^ 

me,  lSr)4,  ;  I  to  the  President  of  the  I 

ates: 

jTo  /*/*  (xccUcncy  tlie  President  of  the  Umited  States,  and  tlie  Hon.  the 
^Secretary  of  War,  the  Secnfdru  nf  the  Xmi/,  and  the  Scrrcf(j///  <>f  the 
Treasitry  uf  tJiC  United  Stat < 

••nio  '  ^  Mortun,  M.  I  >.,  respectfully  ro}u<'s«iits  and 

ikes  k  ;i<  I.  is  the  original  and    first  disc  )\-crf»r  of 

actie.'.!  :  i.  and  lliat  helm'  >   patent  of  the  I'u  ^       .-S 

said  V,  and  for  certain   :  ^  i'lyi"?  ^ho  same;   ^  lid 

4ers  patent  be^ar  date  the  twelfth  day  of  November,  in  the  year  184(5.  and  do 
ant  to  the  undersigned  and  his  assigns,  f«)r  the  term  of  fourteen  years  from 
9  date  thereof,  the  exclusive  right  and  liberty  of  using,  and  vending  to  others 


4S 


DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 


to  be  used,  the  said  discovery  of  practical  ansestliesia;  to  which  said  letter 
patent,  of  record  in  the  United  States  Patent  Office,  he  respectfully  refers. 

"  The  undersigned,  from  motives  which  must  be  .apparent  from  the  nature  c 
the  subject,  and  relying  upon  the  justice  and  magnanimity,  first,  of  his  ow; 
government,  and  then  of  all  other  civilized  governments,  has  not  hithert 
exercised  his  legal  rights  by  suits  at  law  for  damages,  or  injunctions  to  preven 
the  use  of  a  discovery  which  has  happily  proved  so  beneficent  to  humanit;) 
Nor  would  he  now  take  any  step  by  way  of  departure  from  his  previous  courst 
but  that  his  forbearance  is  sought  to  be  turned  to  his  disadvantage,  and  objectio] 
is  made  to  granting  compensation  by  an  act  of  Congress,  on  the  ground  that  h 
ought  to  enforce  his  right  under  his  patent  against  the  officers  of  the  Unitd 
States  using  his  discovery  in  the  military,  naval,  and  marine  service,  and  agains 
all  persons  violating  the  same. 

*'  These  considerations  have  determined  the  undersigned  to  adopt  this  cours( 
He  therefore,  with  great  reluctance,  respectfully  asks  that  the  encouragemen 
given  to  private  individuals  to  violate  his  patent,  through  the  non-observanc 
thereof  by  the  government  itself,  may  be  no  longer  continued,  and  that  the  honoi 
able  Secretaries  will  either  purchase  the  right  to  use  said  discovery  in  the  respe(| 
tive  branches  of  the  pul)h*c  semce,  or  that  they  Avill  immediately  issue  the  neces 
sary  orders  to  the  medical  officers  and  others  under  their  official  control  i 
desist  from  further  infringing  his  patent  right  in  the  premises.  j 

«  WM.  T.  G.  MORTON,  M.  IX 

"Washington,  June  15,  1854." 

This  petition  was  accompanied  ■with  the  recommendation  of  a  majority  i 
the  two  houses  of-  Congress,  and  with  favorable  reports  from  the  medic 
bureaus  of  the  War  and  Navy  Departments,  which  your  committee  here  subjoii 

"The  undersigned,  members  of  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representativd 
concur  in  recommending  that  the  right  to  use  Dr.  Morton's  discovery,  commonl 
called  'practical  anaesthesia,'  be  purchased  for  the  public  service,  or  that  tl 
use  thereof  be  discontinued,  because  the  government  is  manifestly  bound  b 
its  own  patent,  duly  issued,  to  respect  the  said  discovery  as  private  propert 
and  because  '"private  irrojperty^  ought  not  to  be  'taken  for  public  use  witho 
just  compensation  '  "  * 

This  was  followed,  as  will  be  seen,  by  one  hundred  and  fifty  signatures. 
these,  Mr.  Mallory,  Mr.  Seward,  and  Mr.  Weller  signed  under  the  followii 
qualification :  "  I  respectfully  suggest  that  the  patentee  of  the  anajsthel 
agent,  known  as  Dr.  Morton's  discovery,  should  receive  from  the  United  Stat 
a  liberal  compensation  for  their  past  and  future  use  of  it." 

United  States  senators. — James  C.  Jones,  John  Bell,  Tennessee.     Geor 
W.  Jones,  Iowa.     Ben.  Fitzpatrick,  C.  0.  Clay,  jr.,  Alabama.     A.  G.  Brow 
S.  Adams,  Mississippi.     James   Shields,  J.  D.  Bright,  Illinois.     J.  P.  Walk 
Henry  Dodge,  Wisconsin.     J.  B.  Thompson,  Kentucky.     Charles  T.  Jam( 
Philip   Allen,  Rhode   Island.     J.  W.  Williams,  H.  Hamlin,  Maine.     Charl( 
Sumner,  Julius  Rockwell,  Massachusetts.     James  Cooper,  Pennsylvania.     Jo|  ^ 
B.  Weller,  W.  M.  Gwin,  CaUfornia.     J.  M.   Clayton,  Delaware.     W.^K.  ^ 
bastian,  R.  W.  Johnson,  Arkansas.     Sam   Houston,  Texas.     Wm.  H.  Sewa 
New    York.     Arch.   Dixon,   Kentucky.     J.   P.   Benjamin,   Louisiana.     B. 
Wade,  S.  P.  Chase,  Ohio.     S.  R.  Mallory,  A.  C.  Dodge,  Florida. 

Representatives  to  Congress. — Samuel  P.  Benson,  Sanmel  Mayall,  E.  '  | 
Faiiey;  I.  Washburn,  jr.,  T.  J.  D.  Fuller,  Maine.     Samuel  II.  Walley,  Ah  %^ 


i 


o  Constitution  United  States,  Amendment,  Article  V. 


fe^ 


BR.    WM.    T.    O.    MORTON.  43 

V  Witt.  (1»:ul«'.^  W.  Uph:im/I"  I'    T'"       J.  Z.  Goodricli.  N.  IM^anks, 

.,  K(hv:ir(l  I>i(kinson,  J.  Wiley  1   L.  Crofkor.  Massichuactts. 

Iv.ili  Si!  ill.  X'nmont.     B.  H.  'rii»u>t..ii,  'lUoa.  Davis,  UIlhIc   Island.     Thos. 

/.  Cnininiii-.  T.  R.  We8tbrook,  .lohn    WhcH-ler,  Grrrit   Smith,  Pft«T  Rowe, 

niliam  M.  'I'wood,  Charlrs  Hu-hcs,  (}.  Dran,  Jared  V.  Peck,  R.  W.  IVckham, 

Ishop  IVikiiiH,  Henry  Bonnc-tt,  Goorgo  Hasting:^.  A.  Oliver,  Klw  V<»rk.     A. 

.   Ii[.   Pcnninfrton,   Georj^    Vail   Now   Jcrff»*y.      Roland   Jones,    I^mieiana. 

LfML^itk   K  Wri-ht,  Thomas   B.  Floirnce,  W.  H.  Witt.-,  Asa  Packer,  Ner 

[i(Mle»wnrth,  Jolin   Robhins,  jr.,  W^illiam   Everhart,  Joseph   R.  Chandler,  J. 

lancy  Jones,  ('.  M.  Stranb,  G.  B.  Giirti^,  Thomas   M.  liowe,  Pennsylvania. 

aeoh'Sh-.wer,  iMaryland.     G.  R.  Riddle,  Delaware.     H.  11.  Johns-. n.  Thriinas 

iehey,  Lewis   D.  Campbell,  W.  R.  vSapp,  J.  R.  Giddings,  Kd.  Wade,  M.  U. 

iehols,  J.  S.  Harrison,  J.  L.  Taylor,  A.  Harlan,  Oliio.     W.  A.  Richardson, 

ames   Knox,   E.  B.  Waslibnrne,  J.  ().  Norton,  Jolm    Wentworth,   Richard 

atps,  J.  C.  Allen,  Willis   Allen,  Illinois.     H.  L.  Stephens,  Michi;:an.     8ion 

[.  Rogen:,  W.  S.  Ashe,  R.  C.  Pnryear,  John  Kerr,  H.  M.  Shaw,  North  Caro- 

"*nH.     James  L.  Orr,  P.  8.  Brooks,' W.  W.  Boyce,  L.  ^l.  Keitt,  South  Carolina. 

A.  Reese,  Georgia.     James  Ab<-rcrombie,  W.  R.  Smith,  J.  F.  Dowdcll, 

i  'iillips,  Alabama.     A.  E.  ^laxwell,  Florida.     William  Barksdalo,  William 

irry,  D   B.  Wright,  W.  1^  Harris,  O.  R.  Singleton,  Mississippi.     Samuel 

imrhers,   M.  Oliver,    John   G.  Miller,  James   J.  Lindsloy,  A.  W.  Lamb, 

li--ouri.     A.  B.  Greenwood,  Arkansas.     F.  K.  Zollicoffer,  William   Cullom, 

1'  '      • '   e.  R.  M.  Bujrg,  Fred.  P.  Stanton,  N.  G.  Taylor,  Wm.  ^L  Church- 

>  e.     John   C.  Breckinridge,  William  Preston,  L.  M.  Cox,  R.  H. 

!ou,  John  M.  Elliot,  James  S.  Chrisman,  C.  S.  Hill,  Kentucky.     D.  Stuart, 

iiigan.     Ben.  C.  E;i.stman,  Jc^hn    B.  Macy,  Daniel   Wells,  jr.,  Wisconsin, 

i'l  ^face,  lediana.     Bcmhart  Henn,  J.  P.  Cook,  Iowa.     P.  H.  Bell,  Texas. 

.  A.  McDougall,  31.  S.  Latham,  T.  S.  Russell,  California. 

"Navy  Department,  July  25,  1854. 

'♦Sir:  The  printed  documents,  &c.,  having  relation  to  anaisthctic  agents, 

•hich  were  left  by  you  'at  the  department,  were  referred  to  Surgeon  Whelan, 

hief  of  iIm^  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  who  has  returned  them  with  a 

■  ■  V  containing  some  general  expressions  of  the  value  and  importiince  of  such 

ts  in  medicine  and  surgery,  a  copy  of  which  you  will  fiud  ouclosed,  together 

1  the  printed  papers  referred  to. 

"1  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

-J.C.DOBBIN. 
"W.  T.  G.  MuRTo.N,  M.  D., 

'' National  notch  Washington,  D.  Cr 


J  "Navy  Depart.me.nt, 

**  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Sursrcri/,  Juhj  24,  1854. 
M    **SlR:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowlei^ire  the  receipt  of  y<.ur  mmmnnication  of 
{the  2lst  instant,  covering  sundry  documents  on  the  subj<H-t  of  anajsthetic 

iilf.eents,  submitted  to  the  Navy  L>- ^    :....  ut  by  Dr.  Morton,  in  which  'my  views 
bing  the  subject-matter  presented'  are  requested. 

Without  desiring  to  involve  myself  in  the  controverted  point  of  the  dipcovery 

>f  anoesthetic  agents,  the  objects  of  the  department  in  its  n?ference  of  the  sub- 

'  "•^  to  this  bureau  may  possibly  bo  subserved  by  some  general   exi  of 

\\-  value  and  importance,  and  the  almost  universal  employnit.iit  of  t '  ts 

i  r  different  names,  but  nearly  identical  in  effect  and  mode  of  administration, 

I  vast  proportion  of  grave  injuries  and  painful  diseases.  , 

"So  general  is  the  use  of  aniesthetic  aL^-   •     -     li  is  the  e-  '      •  '■o- 

esaiou  in  the  uniformity  and  safety  of  ti.  ,i  .  ^  cis,  that  n^  _  -y 


44  .  DR.    WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 

would  be  divested  of  one  of  their  ablest  allies  if  any  circumstance  should  aris 
to  deprive  them  of  the  employment  of  a  class  of  pain-destroying  agents  whos 
populfirity  and  appreciation  keep  pace  with  their  diffusion.     I  regard  the  dis 
covery  of  anffisthc-sia  as  one  of  more  importance  in  many  senses  than  any  o'  * 
those  triumphs  of  gunius  which  have  conferred  immortality  and  fortune  on  theii^'' 
authors ;  for  it  alone  interests  every  condition  and  calling  of  humanity,  and  is  a  ' 
widespread  in  its  application  as  the  primal  cause  of  pain,  which  it  so  effectualb 
destroys. 

"  I  believe  there  is  scarce  an  intelligent  physician  or  surgeon  in  either  hemi 
^sphere  who  has  not  had  occasion  to  use  these  agents,  and  whose  judgment  doe 
not  indorse  their  value. 

"  Sulphuric  ether  was  adopted  in  the  navy  soon  after  the  discovery  of  it 
peculiar  properties;  it  still  continues  to  be  largely  used,  and  for  some  years  ha 
formed  an  item  in  the  'allowance  table  of  medicines.' 

*'In  one  of  the  documents  accompanying  your  communication,  a  report  by  , 
select  committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  (first  session,  thirty-secon(  ^^ 
Congress,  pages  86  and  98,)  will  be  found  two  communications  from  the  thei 
chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  which  so  fully  embody  my-owi' 
opinions  of  the  value  and  importance  of  anaesthetic  agents  that  I  respectfulhl  P 
invite  your  attention  to  them.  In  the  same  document  (pages  102,  et  scq.)  ar 
recorded  the  commendatory"  opinions  of  numerous  medical  officers  of  the  navj? 

"The  character  of  anaesthetic  agents  seems  now  to  be  settled  beyond  dispute!'"' 
their  great  importance  in  medicine  and  surgery  is  recognized  by  a  unanimity  oj  *''' 
opinion  rare,  indeed,  in  medical  matters ;  for  throughout  the  profession  ansesthesi.j 
is  not  inaptly  hailed  as  one  of  the  greatest  boons  conferred  by  science  on  sufferl  ^^ 
ing  humanity.  '  ^^ 

"  To  estimate  the  pecuniary  value  of  such  a  discovery,  if  I  am  called  upon  t''  ^'^ 
do  so,  is  not  so  easy  a  matter.  If  the  action  of  the  British  Parliament  in  th 
case  of  Jenner — one  of  closest  analogy — be  received  as  a  standard  of  judgment!  ^1 
the  sum  of  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  the  amount  named  oil  several  occa^  |J 
sions  by  Congress,  does  not  appear  to  me  to  be  beyond  the  worth  of  this  onb!  ff^ 
panacea  for  most  of  the  ills  that'  flesh  is  heir  to. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,  IP' 

"W.  WIIELAX. 

"Hon.  J.  C.  Dobbin, 

"  Secretary  of  the  Navy." 


At  the  same  time  that  the  reference  was  made  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Xav^ 
to  the  medical  bureau,  the  communication  which  had  been  handed  the  Secretar 
of  War  was  referred  by  him  to  the  medical  bureau  of  the  army,  as  is  shown  b, 
the  following  reply : 

"Surgeon  General's  Office,  July  17,  1854.  Lp 
"  Sir  :  A  communication  addressed  to  the  President  of  the  United  States  am 
to  the  Secretaries  of  War,  of  the  Navy,  and  of  the  Treasury,  by  William  T.  Gfir. 
Morton,  M.  D.,  in  which  the  writer,  after  representing  that  he  holds  letters  paten 
of  the  United  States  for  the  discovery  of  'practical  anaisthesia,'  requests  tha  t 
the  right  to  use  that  discovery  in  the  public  service  be  purchased,  or  that  order  « 
be  issued  to  the  medical  ancl  other  officers  under  government  control  to  desit^  ad 
from  further  infringing  his  patent  right,  having  been  referred  to  me  for  a  report 
I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  foHowing  remarks : 

"The  great  importance  and  value  of  practical  anaesthesia  has  been  rccognizei 
and  admitted  by  j)hysician8  and  surgeons  throughout  the  civilized  world.  Fo 
my  ow^  vi{!ws  on  this  point,  and  for  evidcnice  that  washed  sulphuric  ether  ani 
other  aniEsthetic  agents  are  regularly  supplied  to  and  used  by  the  UKulical  otlScer 
of  the  army,  you  are  respectfully  referred  to  the  enclosed  copy  of  a  connnunicn 


\\ 


i)R.    W5f.   T.   O    'MORTON'.  ^ 

;^r1<1rf»««o*1  hv  mo  in  TV  Vortnn,  nn  th^iPt  of  Mnrrh  IH/Jg,  anH  vonr  nttPn- 

■■  .     .V     .       ..  -       .  ^         ^  ,  ^  •  ^   .,    .\;,.f 

id 
:»J  ill  one  of  tin-  puiui»lilrtrt  ticcoittpaQy* 


I 


1    info 

i:c    puri-... ■<.   .,    ^v. 

ru 

1,  in  viitiii'  of  ;i   y 

ri 

my  vrmarks  more  particularly  to  tlio  -  now  prew»ntcd 

..  n,  IhavctorttHtotli.it  if  it  should  .•^:    .  .  ..  .:>(  ir  to   tli^sc 

'lo  ability  and  the  authority  to  dwidc  that  the  h  '<y 

>n  do  really  cover  the  exclusive  rijht   -^  «!--■...'  ••..-  i .  ;,, 

liortc  anx-'thetic  agents  which  lia^i  I' 

of  medicine  and  sn  _ *  -  -^ 

iiment  of  the  Unit 

I   !-   Ill  J  •  Dr.  Morton  lor  the 

tlior  to  dt  luri  her  employment 

for  autesLlielic  purj)u8esi  or  to  acc^uire  the 

1  to  Dr.  ^torton's  communica- 

1 1  )usc  of  Repre.-^eututives  •  con- 

lat  tlie  right  to  use  Dr.  Morton's  di.scovery,  commonly 

ihe^ia,"  bo  purchased  for  the  public  ser\ico>  or  that  the 

f  be  discontinued,  becauue  the  government  is  manift  stly  bound  by  its 
it,  duly  i^^sued,  to  respect  the  .-^aid  discovery  ad  private  property,  and 
))rivate  property"  ought  not  to  be  "  taken  lor  public  use  without  just 

_'  that  the  army,  navy,  and  commercial  marine  of  the  United  States 

1  in  the  benefits  arising  from  a  discov- 

tlity  is,  *  one  of  tli<'  jrnatest  boons  ever 

'  !y  instructed  so 

i:  which,  in  my 

trom  the  government  for  the  past 

^  .  iiy,  navy,  marine  corps,  and  marine 

'•3. 

.  ..V  * i I  bestowed  upon  Dr.  Jennor,  the  discoverer  of  vac- 

<>n  (to  which  the  discovery  of  practical  anaesthesia  may  properly  be  com- 

I )  the  sum  of  thirty  thousand  pound.s.     The  select  committee  of  Congress, 

liave  had  this  subject  under  consideration,  have  recommended  that  the  sum 

'       '     ^    '  id  dollars  be  appropriated  to  Dr.  Morton  for. the  privilege 


:h  of  ih-                 '-03  it  war^ 

^  '    T  V  '    ve,  by  the  governments. 

h\  to  ^W                 -  of  the  d 

rid. 

it  of  com]                       i'^ 

•   rr«portt                           I 

•  the 

.<um 

com- 

•of 

tie-  1! 

.    ;     -.-/•■.      I                 ^    \  ./;::  Com- 

1 to  the  patentee  for  all  his  right  in  the  premises, 

li..*l 

:^r.   ..:.  ;.:  .:.>  ...^cuvery 

be  given  to  the  world  at  large. 

i< 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very 

respectfully,  yonr  obedient  servant, 
"THOMAS  LAWSON, 

"  Surgeon  General. 

Hon. 

Jeffkrson  D.wis, 

**  Secretary  of  War." 

President  at  first  seemed  favombly  impre?sed,  and  promised  to  forbid  the 

ether  or  ;         '  '  <lined  to  .       1 

leutofaj'.  .  ....  -  1    ;.  ■  _'ht.     The]'  :    r, 

on  his  suggestion,  brought  suit  against  one  of  the  Unit«?d  States  otticerd 


46,  DR.   WM,   T.   G.   MORTON. 

who  had  used  this  discovery  in  the  marine  hospitkl,  and  after  two  years  ai 
expending  a  good  deal  of  money,  received  a  judgment  against  him. 

On  the  rendition  of  this  judgment  a  new  administration  was  in  power.     T'L 
record  of  the  trial  and  judgment  was  taken  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasur 
inasmuch  as  the  marine  hospitals  were  under  that  executive  department,  but  tl 
gentleman  (now  a  member  of  the  confederate  go-veniment)  stated  that  befo 
settling  he  M-ished  Dr.  Morton  to  test  his  claim  by  bringing  further  suits,  aia 
did  nothing  whatever. 

This  transaction  appears  by  the  accompanying  statement  of  a  conversati^ 
with  the  President,  which  took  place  in  the  presence  of  Mr.  Barksdale,  of  Mi  jn 
sissippi,  and  published  as  early  as  1858,  and  a  letter  of  the  honorable  Willia  i 
H.  Witte,  member  of  Congress,  addressed  to  the  President  of  the  United  Stat( 
detailing  his  conversation  with  him  on  the  subject : 

On  emerging  from  his  sick-room,  in  the  early  part  of  May,  1855,  in  compar 
with  Mr.  Barksdale,  of  Mississippi,  through  whose  agency  it  had  been  arrange 
Dr.  Morton  held  an  audience  with  the  President,  and  then,  for  the  first  tim 
learned  the  result  of  this  two  years  of  "  circumlocution."  ^  Before  jiaying  any  su 
for  the  patent,  the  government  wished  a  legal  decision  on  the  case ;  it  had  d 
cided  that  a  judgment  should  be  procured  against  it,  so  that  it  should  be  coi 
pelled  to  make  restitution.  In  reply  to  the  President,  who  asked  why  a  suit  hi ' 
not  been  before  brought.  Dr.  Morton  replied,  fJial  oicing  to  the  peculiar  nature 
Ms  discover y,  he  had  never  wished,  to  take  legal  steps  for  redress  ;  that  he  he 
all  along  been  led  to  suppose  that  the  government  would  in  the  end  act  honestl 
and,  for  the  good  of  humanity,  do,  of  its  own  free  will,  an  act  of  justice,  towhic 
it  was  repugnant  to  human  nature  to  compel  it.  To  this  the  President  repli( 
that  no  feeling  of  that  kind  need  deter  him ;  that  the  prosecution  was  to  be  f 
its  use  in  the  public  service,  and  a  mere  form,  as  the  decision  of  the  court  wou 
give  them  authority  for  immediate  action.  He  then  proposed  that  a  suit  shou 
be  commenced  against  some  surgeon  of  the  government  service  who  had  at  son 
period  used  the  discovery;  that  the  suit,  when  brought,  should  be  consider! 
as  brought  against  the  government  and  not  against  the  surgeon,  and  that  tl 
government  should  shoulder  all  the  responsibility.  He  closed  by  saying,  th 
when  it  was  decided  that  the  government  was  violating  Dr.  Morton's  patent  tl 
government  would  pay,  and  that  Dr.  Morton  might  t?ike  his  choice  as  to  the  ti 
bunal  before  which  to  have  the  case  tried. 

"  Sir  :  Tli£  honorable  the  Attorney  General  has  this  morning  infonned  c 
that  the  government  declines  acting  at  this  time  in  the  case  of  JJr.  Morton,  a 
signing  as  a  reason  that  the  patent  covers  too  much,  and  also  that  the  Secretaj 
of  War  does  not  favorably  consti'ue  the  scientific  question  involved — in  fact  ai 
effect  denying  the  validity  of  the  patent. 

"As  an  answer  to  the  first  point  it  is  only  necessary  to  repeat  the  clear 
unequivocal  assurance  made  to  me  on  more  than  one  occasion  by  your  excct 
lency  that  the  binding  force  and  validity  of  the  patent  should  not  be  disturbe  j^^ 
should  not  be  adjudicated  by  the  executive  ministerial  authority  of  the  gover  ^^ 
ment,  but  that  it  should  be  construed  by  the  import  obviously  expressed  by  ^  j, 
face,  and  that  Dr.  Morton  should  be  dealt  with  in  the  premises  according  ^^ 
that  spirit  of  partiality  and  rigid  justice  which  it  becomes  the  power  of  a  gre  ^^ 
government  to  extend  toward  one  of  its  own  citizens. 

**  In  reply  to  the  objection,  now  for  the  first  time  presented  by  the  Secretai  j^ 
of  "War,  I  beg  leave  to  refer  to  his  own  report  made  to  your  excellency,  in  whic  ,^! 
after  discussing  the  scientific  view  of  the  case,  he  concludes  with  the  cleai*  e:  jv 
pression  of  his  opinion  that  Dr.  Morton  is  the  person  to  whom  compensati  ^ 
ougljt  to  be  made,  and  that  the  only  point  left  undecided  by  him  is  the  meth* 
in  whieii,  and  the  extent  to  which,  payment  ought  to  be  made. 

**  With  this  report  you  expressed  yourself  so  well  satisfied  that  upon  one  c 


DR.   WM,   T.   G.   MORTONi  4f 

yon,  with  pen  in  hand,  did  me  the  honor  to  counsel  with  mo  liow  the 

r  to  ill,    ■  s  not  to  nse  th«'  ;    ii  ;*!  Pcttlemrn^  had  b.cn  raadt) 

!|it  I..  I  :<)  bt'st  aen'C  i -f  Dr.  ^Morton,  aiul  ihcrrby 

juMi     i!  chiim. 

^  .  M  V  t  occasion  kind  enongh  to  desire  me  to  pay  to  Dr.  Mot- 

^    ;!  r  t!i;it   lu-   .-liould  not  remain  in  \\'  ) 

'i  v.iih  ycuir  assurance  that  the  matter -I 

-tod,  and  that  you  preterred  to  close  the  businesi*  with  me  ratiicr  than 
...    yer,  at  th*^  same  time  giving  him  the  advice  not  to  spend  his  money  in 
lawyers,  as  there  waa  no  necessity,  there  being  notliing  in  it  which  you 
couhl  not  s<*ttlc. 

was  in  this  aspect  of  the  case,  relying  upon  your  declaration  and  absolute 

.    hat.  1  was  induced  to  render  to  Dr.  Morton  pecuniary         nee  which 

cie^  of  his  situation  imperatively  required.  n<v(r  <  that  you 

tiiii  to(]>)  your.-»elf,  orto  ]        *      '  ,'  ■   -.  an  act  the  ju.-*lice  and 

ity  of  which  you  hnd  ii!  ted. 

^-  And  yet,  now, ;;:  lapse  ofy«  '^/il/^s  imiueed  to  come  liere  often, 

^l   ;:hvays  at  the  of  my  in  -   at  home,  1  am  told  that  there  is 

.  Iiiiijr  in  the  case;  that  the  government  refuses  to  acknowledp*  the  slightest 

liry  in  thee  laim  ;  but,  shielding  itself  behind  legal  quibbles  and  scientific  tech- 

nlities.  coolly  and  complacently  pronounces  its  fonncr  assurances  and  promises 

'oiiipensation  and  justice  a»  nothing — as  nothing,  because  it  refuses  now  to  do 

,ia-  it  repeatedly  declared  should  be  done. 

•  Well,  sir,  we  must  make  submission,  and  we  do  submit  in  that  feeling  which 

111  <l  helplessness  makes  to  wrong  and  }>ower. 

'  '  conclusion,  sir,  permit  rae  to  express  the  regret  that  you  did  not  in  your 

urse  with  me  upon  the  subject,  <^  al  with  mo  in  such  a  manner  as  to  pre- 

iii  HI"  {':• -n  i!!\    lviti_r  myself  (relying  upon  y  i nances)  lai'gely  to  my 

j'uiiii'.y  (1-  i.i\ ,;;  I.  u  .  as  well  as  to  my  person  licatiou. 

,         "I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  obedient  servant. 


VTM.  ir.  VriTTE.' 


1' us  far  the  efforts  of  the  petitioner  to  obtain  r^-   >  .    ;.,     labor, 

1  and  corporeal,  his  services,  his  pecuniary  ex;  in  giving  to  his 

y  the  inestimable  boon  of  his  discovery,  were  aii.  im  •».  with  anxiety,  dis- 
ttment,  and  loss.     But  he  at  last  met  with  sympaiby  o>  cheer  him  and 
'  \         M  him  in  iiis  hi  '     ;  >  i''  '       '     '       ;  '  *       )   '-i- 

^on  of  the  Un:  I 

tlio  fact  of  the  (V  value,      i  ^  ,:    :  - 

i-ir  with  the  st'^te  «•:  aiy  and  all  t  'P'-  ■  ,   - 

11  r  at  all  worthy  of  ei>-  <1  in 

,  111  their  lee tuiT-rooms,  an  .  ■ -l  by 

in  all  parts  of  the  civilized  ^\.•ll(].     After  fall  e  ■;: 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  experini -nts  runnii::„'^  ; 
tlie  prolbssion  has  «all  become  satisll'  1 

stbefic  agent  and  its  kindred  ethers  ;  aiu:  .. 
are  convinced  that  the  petitioner,  Dr 
iaisis  abun' ••     V  -hown  by  the  pror«  .   .     _ 
York,  and  Pli  i.  which  your  ceni!a;;!i     1;  .- 

annex  as  deservni^'    -u   attention  of  the  6enat«'.     it  i- 
t  ry  ehte  of  their  pretV-sion,  who,  in  a  matter  that  so  de. 
likely  to  be  deceived.     Your  committee  offers  no  apol 
proceedings  in  full.     The  importance  of  the  subject  j'.  ....     . 

<|  mands  it. 


48  DR.   WM.    T.    G.   MORTON. 


Testimonial  to  Dr.  Wm.  T.  G.  Morton. 

BosTOTi,  Massachusetts,  United  States  of  America,  1861. 

More  than  fourteen  years  have  elapsed  since  the  first  application  of  sulphu 
ether  as  an  anaesthetic  ag*ent. ,  During  this  period  its  use  has  been  extended  oa 
the  whole  civilized  world ;  it  has  been  employed  in  private  dwellings,  hospita 
and  upon  the  field  of  battle,  and  has  been  hailed  as  the  most  beneficent  g 
conferred  upon  mankind  since  the  discovery  of  vaccination.  It  has  enabl 
every  human  being  to  contemplate  pain,  disease,  and  death  with  comparati 
composure ;  and  its  loss,  Were  such  a  thing  possible,  would  be  universally  i 
garded  as  a  calamity  to  our  race. 

The  ansestiietic  properties  of  ether,  if  before  known,  had  never  been  beix 
practically  applied,  and  except  for  the,  courage,  energy,  and  perseverance  of  I 
Morton,  they  would  not  probably  have  been  applied  to  this  day.  The  pecul 
claim  of  Dr. .Morton  is  not  merely  that  he  introduced  the  use  of  ether,  but  tl 
he  first  demonstrated  the  fact  that  the  human  system  can  be  safely  reduced  t/ 
condition  in  which  it  becomes  unconscious  of  the  sufferings  of  disease,  the  pr 
of  surgical  operations,  and  the  pangs  of  childbirth.  The  same  purpose  li 
since  been  -effected  by  chloroform  and  other  agents,  but  it  is  not  assuming  t; 
much  to  say  that,  except  for  the  demonstration  of  this  great  fact  of  the  pc 
vsibility  and  safety  of  anaesthesia,  their  employment  would  never  have  liej 
suggested.  '  i 

But  while  all  mankind  have  been  benefited,  Dr.  Morton  has  been  a  loser, 
a  large  amount,  by  his  exertions,  in  a  wordly  point  of  view ;  and  in  consequen 
of  the  time  consumed,  the  expenses  incurred,  and  the  suspension  of  his  pi 
fessional  labors,  he  is  less  advantageously  situated  than  before.  This  does  r 
seem  just,  and  it  is  now  proposed  to  procure  and  present  to  him  an,adequ; 
te.rtimonial,  not  as  a  compensation,  (for  a  full  compensation  is  in  its  nature  i 
possible,)  but  as  a  remuneration  for  his  expenditure,  and  an  expression  of  t 
deep  and  grateful  sense  entertained  by  his  fellow-creatures  of  the  inestimal 
benefit  he  has  conferred  upon  them. 

With  the  view  of  obtaining  effectual  co-operation  in  other  places,  a  meeti 
of  a  committee  of  fifty  gentleinen  was  held  at  the  house  of  Dr.  J.  Mason  W; 
ren,  January  26,  1861,  and  as  a  result  of  this  meeting  the  following  organizati 
lias  been  adopted.  The  aid  of  the  medical  profession,  and  the  public  in  gener 
is  now  respectfully  solicited  to  assist  in  carrying  into  effect  this  laudable  pi 
pose.  It  is  proposed  that  a  public  subscription  be  instituted,  the  avails  of  whi 
shall  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  Amos  A.  Lawrence  and  John  Lowell,  of  Bostc 
trustees,  to  be  held,  appropriated,  and  invested  for  the  benefit  of  Dr.  Mopt 
and  his  family. 

President. — D*'.^  James  Jackson,  emcritua  professor  of  theory  and  practice 
medicine,  Harvard  University. 

Vice-Presidents. — Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow,  president  American  Academy  of  Ai 
and  Sciences;  Dr.  George  Hay  ward,  consulting  surgeon  Massachusetts  Genei 
Hospital ;  Dr.  S.  D.  Townsend,  surgeon  Massachusetts  General  Hospital ;  Edwa 
Reynolds,  consulting  surgeon  Massachusetts  General  Hospital;  0.  C.  Feltc 
LL.D.,  President  Harvard  University;  Dr.  John  Horaans,  president  Mj 
flachusetts  Medical  Society,  consulting  physician  Massachusetts  General  H( 
pital;  Dr.  John  Jeffries,  consulting  surgeon  Massachusetts  General  Hospit? 
Jared  Sparks,  LL.D.,  Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  late  president  of  Harva 
University;  Robert  C.  Winthrop,  LL.D.,  president  of  the  Massachusetts  H 
torical  Society. 

General  Committee. — Dr.  John  C.  Dalton ;  Daniel  Treadwell,  formerly  Rii: 
ford  professor  in  Harvard  University j  Dr.  Charles  G.  Putnam;  Dr.  Danie^ 
Slade;  Dr.  Henry  I.  Bowditch,  physician  to  Massachusetts  General  Hos^  ^ 
Z/r.  ffcury  G.  CYarA,  surgeon  to  jSTassaciiusettB  15*01161-^'  iioapiW;  i'ir.  Oii 


^K.    WM.   T.    G.    MOUTOK.  Qfe 

Wendell  TIolm«»fi,  profcFsor  of  Anatomy  and  phvf'l'^losrr  In  TTnrVard  tJnivrrsity; 

Dr.  J.   Mapon  Wnrron,  surg^eon   to  th'-    ^'  '  il   Hofpitnl ;   Dr. 

Robort  W.  Ifooncr.  i^nrgron  to  ihe    M -i  '  ■   Hvo  and   Ear 

Infirmary;  l)r.  vVilliam  J.  Dalr ;  Dr.  llrnry  J.  liii^clow.  .  M:u-*sachu- 

sptt."*  (nMirral  Hor«pitnl;  Dr.  rii;ir](-^    K.  Buckinf^ham ;   Dr,   '       ^     U.  Ljmap; 

Dr.  tMward  H.  Clarke,  j  latcria  mcdica  in  Harvard   UuiverirflJJ; 

!^  Dr.  Lullu'r  PHrk>'.jr.;   Dr.  J.  l.,...i.   I  pham. 

Exrnifirr  committrr. — Dr.  Jolm  Wjirc,  lato  profpppor  of  theory  and  practice 
*  medicine  in  HanTird  University;  Dr.  Davi^l  W.  Cliecvrr,  Dr.  J.  N.  Borland. 

;   r.  C.  D.  Homuns.  Dr.  Robert  Ware.  Dr.  James  C.   White.  Dr.  Richard  BI. 
I  iladir-^s.  Dr.  Calvin  (f.  Page. 

j       Tiu  fffes. — Amos  A.  Lawi-ence,  treaenrer of  Harvard.  University ;  John  liOwell. 
i       Secrcfanj. — Francis  Minot,  phyeician  to  MassachusettB  General  Hospital. 

\ ,  Proceedingt  in  behulf  of  the  Morton  testimnnial. 

^       At  a  meeting  of  medical  gentlemen,  held  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Jacob  Bigelow, 

,   on  the  evenine:  of  Jainiary  26,  ISGl,  for  the  purpose  of  bringing  before  the  com- 

^  i.i     ■'     •'       '      H  of  Dr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton  to  a  substantial  recompense  for  the 

hits  c»)nferred  on  mankind  by  the  discovery  of  the  anaesthetic 

'  u  -  ot  sulphuric  ether,  Dr.  John  Homans  was  elected  chainnan,  and  Dr. 

I  .  .;.    -  Minot,  secretiry,  and  the  following  resolutions  were  adopted: 

1.  Rcsofrrd,  '['hat  this  meeting  view  with  jj^reat  interest  and  satisfaction  the 

;  ')vem<'Ut  inaugurated  in  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia,*  in  behalf  of  the 

"         1  testimonial,  and  tak^  this  occasion  to  renew  their  expression  of  approval 

^i:;  ;    ^.  mpathy. 

J       2.  J  If. sol  red,  That  the  meeting  commend  the  subscription  proposed  for  the 

'T  ti'stimonial  to  the  favor  and  support  of  the  American  people,  and  most  cordially 

in  in  the  commendation  bestowed  upon  it  by  institutions  and  scientific  men 

1  liiroughout  the  country. 

1      3.  Rjtsolvcdn  That  in  view  of  the  present  condition  and  objects  to  be  attained 
Vy  the  ti'stimonial,  it  is  expedient  to  make  an  immediate  effort  to  take  up  a  gen- 
:  ill  subscription  in  this  community,  which  is  the  scene  of  Dr.  Morton's  labors 
and  fxpeiimtnts,  and  the  city  where  the  discovery  was  made,  and  the  testimo- 
nial ha<l  itj»  origin. 

4.  //  That  a  commiftee  b»»  appointed  by  the  chair,  from  gentlemen  out 
of  the  I  :i,  to  call  on  this  community  and  solicit  donations  and  subscrip- 
rons  in  bchalt  of  the  testimonial,  with  power  to  make  ad'ditions  to  their  number 
Hiid  substitutiims,  and  to  take  such  other  actiou  as  they  may  deem  expedient  to 
promote  this  object. 

5.  Iltsohed,  That  a  committee  of  medical  men  be  appointed  by  the  chair  U-^ 
ci^nfer  with  the  committee  on  subscriptions  as  to  the  most  efficient  meant  of 
accomplishing  the  end  in  view. 

6.  Rrsolvcd,  That  it  is  expedient  to  appeal  especially  to  thoao  who  have  been 
«|  relieved  by  etherization  from  intense  pain,  that  they  may  have  an  opportunity 

to  contribute  according  to  their  means. 

On  motion  of  Dr.  Bowditcli,  the  secretary  was  reouested  to  notify  the  raem- 
n'ra  of  both    committees  of  their  appointment,  ana    to    desire   them  to  moi.M 
J  together  at  such  time  and  place  aa  he  may  see  expedient,  to  aury  out  the  objccL^ 
I  of  this  meeting. 
iji       The  chair  appointed  the  following  committees : 

il  Laymen. — Amos  A.  Lawrence,  17  Milk  street;  Charles  Amory,  54  Ci#V 
I'xchange;  J.  Ingersoll  Bowditch,  54  State  street;  John  Lowell,  42  Conft 
•street;  John  T.  Stetson,  8  Milk  street;  William  Appleton,  jr.,  24  Tremont 


\ 


•  Paget  62  to  64. 
Rep.  Com.  89 4 


♦^  /  DB.   WM.   T.   G.  MORTON. 

street;  Moses  Williams,  jr.,  105  State  street;  Daniel  S.  Curtis,  4  State  street; 
Joliu  Joseph  May,  corner  Broad  and  State  streets;  Martin  Brinimei,  48  Beacon 
street;  A.  W.  Spencer,  13  Congress  street;  Samuel  Frothingham,  jr.,  o9  Frank- 
lin street;  Thomas  J.  Lee,  60  State  street;  Warren  Sawyer,  7  Blackstone 
street;  J..  D.  W.  Joy,  17  Milk  street;  Prescott  Bigelow,  1  Postoffice  avenue; 
Joseph  Burnett,  27  Central  street;  John  H.  Thorndike,  29  Edinboro'  street; 
B.  W.  Taggard,  29  Cornhill ;  Gardner  Brewer,  Federal,  corner  Franklin  street; 
Theodore  Metcalf,  39  Tremont  street;  P.  W.  Chandler,  4  Court  street;  Thornton 
K.  Lothrop,  42  Court  street;  Charles  T.  Bandall,  Devonshire,  between  Frank- 
Un  and  Summer  streets;  G.  S.  Hillard,  Niles  Block,  School  street;  James  T. 
"fields,  corner  School  and  Washington  streets;  William  G.  Weld,  Edward  T. 
EastLu.iu. 

Medical.: — James  Jackson,  Jacob  Bigelow,  George  Hayward,  John  Ware, 
John  Homans,  S.  D.  Townsend,  John  Jeffries,  A.  A.  Gould,  Henry  I.  Bow- 
ditch,  0.  W.  Holmes,  John  H.  Dix,  Charles  G.  Putnam,  J.  Mason  Warren, 
Henry  J.  Bigelow,  Henry  G.  Clark. 

JOHN  HOMANS,  M.  D.,  C^ai7m<r».     f 
'•■  Francis  Minot,  M.  D.,  Secretary,  -^  ' 


The  following  address  is  set  forth  by  a  sub-committee  appointed  at  a  meeting 
b^ld  at  the  house  of  Dr.  J.  Mason  Warren,  in  pursuance  of  the  foregoing 
object: 

Boston,  March  4,  1861. 

Sir  :  We  beg  leave  to  address  you  in  regard  to  the  claims  and  services  of 
Dr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton,  as  connected  with  the  discovery  of  producing  insensibility 
to  pain  by  theansestlietic  effects  of  sulphuric  ether.  That  this  diseovery  has  been 
an  inestimable  blessing  to  mankind,  and  that  it  is  regarded  as  one  of  the  most 
iniportant  applications  of  science  to  the  uses  of  life  that  has  been  made,  even  in 
this  age  of  improvement  and  progress,  is  beyond  dispute.  i 

While  there  is  not  an  entire  unanimity  of  opinion  as  to  Dr.  Morton's  claims! 
to  "^le  priority  of  the  discovery,  all  who  have  investigated  the  subject  agree  that' 
the  pre-eminent  merit  of  first  establishing  by  experiment  what  was  before  only 
a  surmise  or  a  conjecture  is  his ;  and  that  without  his  courage,  energy,  and  per- 
severance, the  discovery  would  not  have  been  put  into  practical  operation.     This 
is  enough  to  make  Dr.morton  one  of  the  benefactors  of  his  race.     His  discovery 
is  now  in  use  all   ov^r  the  civilized  world;  everywhere  it  is  lightening  tha 
trying  duties  of  the  medical  profession ;  soothing  the  pain  of  the  suffering,  and 
what  is  hardly  less  valuable,   taking  away  that  apprehension  of  pain  which, 
to  the  nervous  and  sensitive,  is  like  suffering  itself. 

But  Dr.  Morton  has  experienced  the  common  fate  of  inventors  and  dis- 
i^ovierers.  So  far  frOm  being  a  gainer,  he  has  been  a  loser  to  a  very  large 
/imount,  by  the  sacrifices  and  expenses  incurred  by  him  in  introducing  hi» 
Jiscovery  and  vindicating  his  claims.  It  is  not  proposed  to  bestow  upon  Dr. 
Morton  a  pecuniary  eqiiivalent  for  his  discovery;  indeed,  the  worth  of  a  diB- 
covery  like  his  is  not  susceptible  of  a  money  value,  though  some  approximation 
to  it  may  be  made  by  considering  what  sum  mankind  would  be  willing  to  give 
for  such  a  blessing,  supposing  tbey  had  it  not.  But  we  think  he  is  justly 
v?ntitled,  not,  merely  to  a  return  of  all  expenses  incurred,  but  to  some  further 
expression  of  the  grateful  sense  which  his  services  to  humanity  have  every  where 
jty^akened.  Thirty  thousand  pounds  were  given,  in  two  succcssi\  c  gidnts,  by 
The  l^ritish,  Parliament  to  Dr.  Jenner;  and  no  one  would  deem  a  like  sum  an 
extravagant  remuneration  for' the  civilized  world  to  bestow  upon  Dr.  Morton. 

The  undersigned,  a  committee  ajipointed  at  a  mcoting  of  geutlemen  of  th« 
medical  and  other  professions,  held  at  the  house  of  Dr.  J.  Mason  Warren,  on 
Tuo«day,  February  26,  Jiave  the  honor  to  address  you  on  this  subject,  and  to 


DB,    WM.   T.    G.    MORTON.  ^61 


icit  yoiir  aid  mbehMf  of  the  object  rth.     Sueh  contributions  as  ytru 

V  see  fit  to  make  will  be  received  by  Amo8  A.  Ijawn^nce  or  John  Lowell,  wlx» 

li.ive  consented  to  act  as  truateea  of  the  fund  which  may  be  collected,  "r  >'V  my 

member  of  the  joint  committee  on  the  Morton  testimonial. 

JOHN  IIOMANS, 
JOHN  WARE. 


la 


GEO.   S.  UILLARD,    f -'^''»'«*''«^'- 
CHAS.  G.   PUTNAM,  j 
Francis  Minot,   Secretary. 

I     The  undersigned  having  been  appointed  trustees  of  the  fund  to  be  raised  a^* 
a  testimonial   to   Dr.    Morton   for   hid    discovery   of  etherization,   and    having 

.  t'pted  this  trust,  deem  it  their  duty  to  state,  for  the  infonnation  of  thone  wb<» 
iuuy  be  asked  to  contribute,  that  it  is  not  di'signed  merely  to  present  him  wilh 
an  honorable  memento  of  the  services  which  he  has  rendered  to  mankind,  but 
to  afford  him  relief  from  the  embarrassments  which  his  discovery  has  brought 
upon  him. 

It  is  necessary  for  us,  therefore,  to  say  that  Dr.  Morton  has  sacrificed  all  hJT 
property,  and  all  the  profits  of  his  profession,  in  introducing  his  discovery,  and 
'  ^'lir*hing  his  claim,  and  that  \w,  has  seriously  impaired  his  health  ;  that  b*- 

;.,.  .ad  to  obtain  compensation'  from  the  government  for  the  use  of  ether  by 
the  army  and  navy,  though  a  bill  has  been  twice  passed  through  one  house  of 
Congress  for  that  purpose,  and  that  he  has  no  hope  of  any  public  compensation. 

Undrr  these  circum.-^tances,  is  it  a.'»king  too  much  to  bestow  on  one  who  is  the 
author  of  the  most  beneficent  discovery  of  this  age,  the  means  of  an  ample  sup- 
port for  himself  and  his  family?  * 

Believing  that  all  w  ho  have  experienced  the  inestimable  benefits  of  ether  in 

its  various  forms  in  alleviating  pain,  or  who  have  seen  its  efi'ects  upon  others, 

yr'-}\  ^  i  m  it  a  privilege  to  give  some  substantial  proof  to  the  discoverer,  of  their 

ition  of  its  value;  we  forbear  to  give  the  details  of  his  labors  and  his 

mLstortunes.  { 

AMOS  A.  LAWRENCE,  )    ^     ,^ 
JOHN  LOWELL,  /    ^'""^^^T' 

;,  Boston,  March  Ay  1861. 

♦BSTIMOMAL  OF  THE  MEDICAL  PROFESSION  OF  PHILADELPHIA,  NEW  YORK.   ANB 

BOSTON.  ' 

Proceedings  of  the  medical  prqfesnon  of  Philndelphia,  in  hehxilf  of  W.  T.  G. 

Morton,  M.  D, 


A  me«»ting  of  the  members  of  the  medical  profession  who  1  .  '  tbf 

'totimonia^  in  behalf  of  Dr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton,  was  held  at  the  h  .:», 

ffijpnice  street,  on  Monday,  March  20,  1860;  when,   on   motion,  Ur.    \\  lidon 
JUewell  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  Dr.  T.  H.  li.iehe  was  chosen  secretary. 

The  folio.;  '  '   then  offered,  and  having  beea 

'hwadbvth.'-  1:  r 

'       '<v;v.-.  ..     K    ..    ..-.     .   .  .  hae 

i]h  sately  enr 

"And  wbr  ,.  .1  ,  ;  •         ,^ion,  and  through  it  of  tbe 

public  generally,  was  directed  to  this  fact  by  Dr.  Wm.  T.  G.  Morton,  of  Boston, 

ijWho  first  practically  demonstrate.!  tli  if  <t}ir.r  piov  }>-.  <..r..iv  "^.-1  l.v  inhalation 

^  ?|()r  annulling  pain,  in  the  Mat^  on  the  16th 

ifjL  October,  1846,  a  severe  eurgi^nl  v^-ui-iiivii  *>*«:>  cULcc-ciun^  ^        1  by  the 


52  DE.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

late  Dr.  John  0.  Warren,  without  pain  to  the  patient,  .whilst  under  the  influence 
ether  administered  by  Dr.  Morton : 

"And  whereas  our  national  government,  whilst  admitting  the  claims  of  D 
Morton,  has  failed  to  reward  him  for  thirf  groat  service  to  his  country  and  1 
humanity : 

*'  Resolved,  That,  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  the  world  is  indebted  to  D 
Morton  for  having  practically  proved  the  value  and  safety  of  ether  as  an  anae 
thetic  agent,  and  that  he  is,  therefore,  entitled  to  the  lasting  gratitude  of  mankint' ! 

**  Resolved,  l^h^i  WQ  cordially  recommend  to  our  fellow-citizens  the  nation;! 
testimonial  fund,  lately  commenced  in  Boston  and  New  York  in  behalf  of  D 
Morton,  and  that  we  will  do  all  in  our  power  to  influence  them  to  subscribe  1 
the  same. 

Resolved,  That,  for  the  purpose  of  facilitating  the  subscriptions,  a  copy  of  the? 
resolutions,  duly  authenticated  by  the  officers  of  this  meeting,  be  furnished 
Messrs.  Brown  Brothers  &  Co.,  the  receivers  for  this  city,  together  with  sue 
other  documents  in  explanation  of  the  testimonial  as  may  be  approved  by  tt 
officers  of  this  meetino^." 

On  motion  the  secretary  was  directed  to  transmit  a  copy  of  these  resolutioi 
to  Dr.  Morton. 

On  motion,  adjourned. 

WILSON  JEWELL,  Chairman. 

T.  H.  Bache,  Secretary. 


Testimonial  of  members  of  the  medical  profession  of  Philadelphia,  in  behalf  t) 
William  T.  G.  Morton,  M.  D.,  to  their  fellow-citizens. 

February  15,  1860. 

The  vast  importance  of  the  effect  of  the  inhalation  of  ether,  in  preventiu 
and  suspending  pain,  has  long  ceased  to  be  a  matter  of  doubt  among  the  men 
hers  of  the  medical  profession,  and  is  too  well  known  to  the  intelligent  citizei 
of  Philadelphia  to  need  any  further  exposition.  Etherization  has  been  tested  i 
countless  instances,  under  a  great  variety  of  circumstances,  during  more  tha 
twelve  years  of  constant  employment  by  thousands  of  operators  ;  and  the  resu 
of  this  unsurpassed  experience  is  decisive  in  confirmation  of  its  safety  and  efl 
ciency  as  a  suppressor  of  physical  suffering,  and  a  powerful  assistant  of  tl: 
healing  art. 

Believing,  therefore,  that  anaesthetic  inhalation  is  the  most  available  and  p«  ^' 
tent  means  of  alleviating  pain  yet  employed  in  the  practice  of  surgery,  an<[;' 
consequently,  that  it  is  one  of  the  greatest  gifts  to  humanity  of  the  present  ag 
we  cannot  but  regard  the  original  and  successful  introducer  of  this  invaluab; 
boon  as  entitled  to  the  warm  gratitude  of  mankind. 

We  believe  the  practical  originator  of  anaesthetic  inhalation  to  be  Dr.  Williai 
T.  G.  Morton,  of  Boston,  Massachusetts,  in  whose  behalf  we  are  happy  to  bef 
witness  in  this  testimonial. 

We  are  convinced  that  he  is  the  one  who  first  resorted  to  ethereal  inhalatio 
for  the  purpose  of  producing  insensibility  to  pain  in  a  patient  while  undergoiu 
flr  surgical  operation,  and  that  he  is  the  one  who  first  succeeded  in  effecting  th 
reeult.  He  was,  indisputably,  the  first  to  urge  the  anaesthetic  properties  of  tl: 
rapor  of  ether  upon  the  attention  of  the  medical  profession,  and  thus  succeede 
in  establishing  the  practice  of  anaesthetic  inhalation. 

We  therefore  take  great  pleasure,  and  at  the  same  time  perform  an  act  «j 
duty,  in  recommending  the  claims  of  Dr.  Morton  to  the  favorable  considerati 
of  our  fellow-citizens,  and  would  cordially  urge  upon  them  the  propriety  '< 
showing  their  estimate  of  his  services  by  a  substantial  acknowledgment,  such^ 


DR,    W>f      r     a.    MORTON.  53 

from  an  call;:  <»mmunity  to  one  wlio  has  conlerrcd 

»    i!M'Stil!nl>l< 

in  the  Old  World  •  v  iusUnc^s 

■■Afwr  h.iM'  l>'-cii  !'  aud  paid 

l.nl  hem 
V- ..  '     i  ■  ■   ■  ■"■  i    ""  <'*"  ♦•ti»«r- 

>!i  iiaa  ouiy  ilic  mure  tiraily  et^iablisheU  it^  pudiliuu  by  dtuuoubUaiiug  itf 
.  >iii<l  .1.  vtlopiug  its  uwfiiIne«*H. 

I  government  has  adniitt<  d  the  justice  and  importance  of  Dr.  !M(m"- 

:i  the  introduction  of  ethereal  anaiBtheaia,  but  has  neglected  to  pio- 

r  reward. 

I  •  circumatances,  the  plan  of  individual  contribution  baa  l^en  boc- 

1  lid  tij  by  the  cillzenri  of"  Doj?tt>n  and  New  York  a**  the  lu-tfi  Huit«d 

::  ■  tcmppr  of  our  people,  and  the  moat  likely  to  reach  a  aatiafactory  cod- 

■*  Ai!  w  offered  to  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  to  uhiie  wtth 

tcii  ;ime  work  of  benevolence  aud  justice  ;  and  it  is  in  this 

•  to  interest  them. 

>\  r  'V  I    .     ;liat  our  townsmen,  in  whose  liberality  and  sense  of  right 

C  have  great  conddence,  may  join  Ud  in  rendering  the  tribute  to  his  merits  and 

■  'O'-Hsitiea  which  has  elsewhere  been  accorded  to  ]iim  mtw]  ulii.]?  \v<-  l>.li.  \>;  him 

-erve. 

Vn'ucr.4ty  of  PcnnsyLcaniu. — George  \^.  Wood,  Al.  D.,  piui'cadur  of  theory 
i^ftid  practice  of  medicine ;  Hugh  L.  llod^p,  M.  D.,  ])rofessor  of  obstetric?  and 
f  women  and  children;  Jo-'        '        m,  M.  D.,  professor  of  mate- 
id  pharmacy;   Rol)ert  Yj.  K  i    D.,  prole.-»sor  of  clumistry  ; 
ida,  M.  D..  professor  of  anat(jniy. 
•   ,..^un  Medical  College. — Joseph  Pancoaat,  M.  D.,  professor  of  general, 
1  iptive,  and  surgical  anatomy ;  Chas.  D  Meigs,  M.  I).,  professor  of  obstet- 
,..,1  ,1J.,...^.  -.  ,.f  women  and  children  ;  Franklin  Ii;\ch<',  M.  D.,  professor  of 
1  D.  Gross,  M.  D.,  profeK>or  of  institutes  .ind  practice  of  sur- 
:    I.  i>.  :m  Kitell.  M.  Dm  professor  of  materia  modica  and  general  them- 
es ;  Samu"'!  H.  Dickson.  M.  D..  professor  of  practice  of  medicine. 
.,  /            '            "  "              '      •    ■                  —13.  Ilowai-d  Rand,  M.  D.,  pm- 
--'                                                                               i  )..  professor  of  practice'  of  niedi- 
:   Lewi..  J                 .,.M.  D..  .  .;  William  S.  Hal- 
M.  D.,  pi                 '  snrjrery  :                                                  .  M.  D.,  professor  t>f 
jti                                                                                        r  of  institutes  of  mcdi- 

"^  V         r^lcuMta  Hospital. — \\  iiiiam  \V  .  Gerhard,  M.  D..  physician  ;  James  J. 
\  u  k,  M.  D.,  physician  :  .John  ForKvih  Meigs,  M.  D..  physician  ;  Francij^  G. 
h,  M.  D,  physician  ;  .Joseph   Pancoast,  M.  D.,  surgeon;  Edward  lVa<», 
'  '    <  irrrrw.n;  Kdward  Hart.-home,  M.  D.,  surgeon. 

•a  Hospital. — ^S.  D.  Gross,  M.  D.,  surgeon;  D.  H.  Aguew,  JI. 

II  ;  R.  J.  Levis,  M.  D.,  surgeon ;  K.  S.  Kenderdinc,  M.  D.,  snrpeou  ; 

Mavbnrry,  M.   D.,   physician  ;  J.  L.  liudlow.   Af.  D.,  phvsiciaii ;  C. 

1  Tutf.  M.  D.,  physician;  .lolin  Wiitb.ark,  M.  D.,  physician  ;   H.  A. 

-e.  JL  D..  ]thysician  ;   I^wis  D.  Harlow.  M.  D.,  physician  ;  William  D. 

^'      '  n;  J,  Da  C'ostn,  M.  D.,  physician. 

Littell.  M.  D..  rin'ir*H>n  ;  Addinell  HoMSnn.  M.  !>.,  9^xn- 

'  '  am  Hunt.  M.  !  '  m  :   S.  L. 

1.    .  1  fse,  ^L  D.,  pi^;  .Juiues  J. 

■  L  D.,  physician  ;   A.  Doui^lasr*  Hall,  physician. 

i.^       npal  HoitpUd  of  Philadelphia. — J.  C.  Morris,  M.  D.,  physician ;  li. 

^   artshome,  M.  D.,  physician ;  J.  Da  Costa,  M.  D.,  phyewiau ;  Wm*.  Mayburrv. 


Si  iJrV  wk.  T.  G.  mortonI 

M.  D.,  physician;  William  Hunt,  M.  D.,  surgeon;  H.  E.  Drayton,  M.  D.,  sur^ 
geon  ;  R.  S.  Kenderdine,  M.  D.,  surgeon.  ^ 

Charity  Hospital  of  Fhil.adclphia. — P.  B.  Goddard,  M.  D.,  surgery  ;  Wil ' 
Kam  H.  Pancoast,  JVI.  D.,  surgery ;  Z.  Eing  Jones,  M.  D.,  eye,  ear,  and  urinary  ^"^ 
organs;  H.  St,  Clair  Asli,  M.  D.,  diseases  of  children;  Burroughs  Price,  M ^; 
D.,  diseases  of  digestive  organs,  brain,  and  nervous  system ;  A.  W.'  Griffiths  ^^ 
M.  D.,  obstetrics  ;  Alexander  C.  Hart,  M.  D.,  diseases  of  women  ;  W.  |3.  Weath  ^' 
orly,  M.  D.,  diseases  of  respiratory  organs;  B.  Updegrove,  M.  D.,  diseases  o^ 
tbte  skin ;  J.  L.  Ludlow,  M.  D.,  fevers  and  general  diseases.  ^ 

S.t.  Joseph's  Hospital  of  Philadelphia. — William  V.  Keating,  M.  D.,  physi^' 
cian  ;  S.  Wier  Mitchell,  M.  D.,  physician;  William  Keller,  M.  D.,  physician'^ 
A.  Bournonville,  M.  D.,  obstetrician ;  J.  H.  B.  McClellah,  M.  D.,  surgeon  '^ 
Wm.  Byrd  Page,  M.  D.,  surgeon;  John  H.  Brinton,  M.  D.,  surgeon;  JosepP 
Leidy,  M.  D.,  pathologist.  '  •        "      _  «  D. 

.  Children'' s  Hospital  of  Philadelphia. — -Wm.  Pepper,  M.  D.,  consulting  phy  S' 
sician  ;  John  F.  Meigs,  M.  D.,  consulting  physician  ;  F.  W.  Lewis,  M.  D.,  ati^^ 
tending  physician;  Wm.  R.  Dunton,  M.  D.,  attending  physician;  R.  A.  E^^^ 
Penrose,  M.  D.,  attending  physician  ;  T.  H.  Bache,  M.  D.',  attending  physician  J 

Ptnnsylvania  Hospital  for  the  Insane.- — Thomas  S.  Kirkbride,  M.  D.,  phy 
sician  in  chief;  Edward  A.  Smith,  M.  D.,  resident  physician. 

City  Hospital  of  Philadelphia. — John  Bell,  M.  D. 

Mo  y  amen  sing  Prison. — Henry  Yale  Smith,  M.  D. 

Board  of  Health.—^.  B.  Goddard,  M.  D.,  president. 

Ploward  Hospital. — S.  D.  Gross,  M.  D.,  D.  D.  Clark,  Mi  D.,  general  anc 
■special  surgery ;  J.  A.  Meigs,  M.  D.,  diseases  of  the  chest ;  J.  Klapp,  M.  D 
diseases  of  digestive  organs;  O.  A.  Judson,  M.  D.,  diseases  of  the  skin;  G.  B 
Morehouse,  M.  D.,  diseases  of  brain  and  nervous  system ;  W.  Darrach,  M.  D 
fevers ;  E.  McClellan,  M.  D.,  diseases  of  females  ;  Charles  Neff,  M.  D.,  disease 
of  the  urinary  organs. 

College  of  Physicians  of  Philadelphia. — George  B.  Wood,  M.  D.,  president 
Franklin  Bache,  M.  D.,  vice-president ;  Edward  Hartshorne,  M.  D.,  secretary 
J,  Rodman  Paul,  M.  D.,  treasurer;  John  Bell,  M.  D.,  HughL.  Hodge,  M.  1) 
Charles  D.  Meigs,  M.  D.,  R.  La  Roche,  M.  D.,  Benjamin  Hornor  Coates,  M.  D 
Lewis  P.  Gebhard,  M.  D.,  William  Darrach,  M.  D.,  Theophilus  E.  Beesley,  ^\ 
D.,  Wiliam'W.  Gerhard,  M.  D.,  Joseph  Pancoast,  M.  D.,  D.  Francis  Condi( 
]\L  D.,  Squire  Littell,  M.  D.,  Anthony  Bournonville,  M.  D.,  Joseph  Carson,  M 
D.,  Thomas  S.  Kirkbride,  M.  D.,  Francis  West,  M.  D.,  Edward  Peace,  M.  D 
William  Pepper,  M.  D.,  David  C.  Skerrett,  M.  D.,  John  D.  Griscom,  M.  D 
Paul  Beck  Goddard,  M.  D.,  Alfred  Stdle,  M,  D.,  John  J.  Reese,  M.  D.,  Joh 
Forsyth  Meigs,  M.  D.,  Lewis  Rodman,  M.  D.,  Francis  G.  Smith,  M.  D.,  Wasl 
ingtou  L.  Atkie,  M.  D.,  John  Neill,  M.  D.,  Samuel  D.  Gross,'  M.  D.,  Anthon 
E*  Stocker,  M.  D.,  Gouverneur  Emerson,  M.  D.,  James  E.  Rhoads,  M.  D.,  1 
Steward^^on,  M.  D.,  E.  Wallace,  M.  D.,  Joseph  Klapp,  M.  D.,  Samuel  L.  Ho 
litigsworth,  M.  D.,  John  L.  Ludlow,  M.  D.,  John  H.  B.  McClellan,  M.  D.,  Wi 
Ham  V.  Keating,  M.  D.,  D.  Paul  Lajus,  M.D.,  Thomas  S.  Reed,  M.  D.,  Richar 
H.  Townseiid,  M.  D.,  Isaac  Remington,  M.  D.,  John  B.  Biddle,  M.  D.,  Henr 
E.  Drayton,  M.  D.,  Caspar  Morris,  M.  D.,  James  J.  Levick,  M.  D.,  Josep 
Lcidy,  M.  ,D.,  Wilson  Jewell,  M.  D.,  Henry  Harishornc,  M.  D.,  William  Kello 
ML  Dm  William  Mayburry,  M.  D.,  Thomas  Hewson  Bache,  M.  D.,  James  \ 
Emh.n,  M.  D.,  Joseph  Hopkin.son,  M.  D.,  William  H.  Hooper,  M.  D.,  Addine 
Iltjwsun,  M.  D.,  David  Gilbert,  M.  D.,  B.  Howard  Rand,  M.  D.,  William  Hun 
M.  D.,  R.  A.  F.  Penrose,  M.  D.,  William  H.  Gohrecht,  M.  D.,  William  I 
Stroud,  M.  D.,  Nathan  L.  Hatfield,  II.  D.,  S.  Wdr  Mitchell.  3L  D.,  John  I: 
Bi'liituu,  M.  D.,  Francis  W.  Lewis,  M.  D.,  Samuel  Lewis,  M.  D.,  T.  DiUard,  3 
D.,  G.  11.  Robinett,  M.  D.,  S.  C.  Brincklc,  M.  D. 

Philudt'lp/tia  County  Mcd>c<il  Society. — IscUic  Remington,  M.  D.,  president 


iRJ  WM.   T.   O.    MORTON.  50 

■'  r-'      t.M.  1).,  J. K-.  Carson)*:©.  .^  !.1^dnt?;'1r  "'^  V'" '"'^i.  M.  D.. 

.  D.  (iros.s  M.  D..  D.  Franr  M.  D.,  \  .  M.  t).. 

i.li  l';;!:t.)nst,  M.  D..  Cliajirs  D.  M.  igs  M.  1'.,  R.  K.  \l  1 ).,  Kdwanl 

ce.  M.  1)..  J.hu  l^  II,  M.  I)..  S.  Liitrll,  M.  1)..  W.  W  M.  I)..  D 

MH,  ^f.  D.,  A  '  >:u  M.  D..  J.  ir.  13.   ^  '     A. 

..  M.  n..  1>.  1  V  '..  i:.  \Var,l,M.  1).,  S.  \.  \)., 

M.  J).,  K.  11.  Townsjoud.  M.  I).,  T.  M.  DivMljii.*.  M.  D.. 

i.  1).,  Anlliouy  HouruonvilU-,  M.  D.,  W.  K.  GillMit.  ^I.  1).. 

i:.  Bet'sley,  M.  D.,  R.  -S.  Kiuilcidim',  M.  D.,  C.  F.  W'i  \)., 

'1    Af    1)     \hUn  Q.  Slielmcrdiue.  M.  D..  Robert  C  S 

M   D.,  Lf'vi  Curtis,  M.  D.,  Samiul  K  Wy 

]).,  Aupjustiis  0.  Koiinionvillr,  ^{.  1).,  .j.  w.  iium 
M.  D.,  G.-..r-o  B.  Wood,  M.  D.,  FranlcHn  Bacho,  }{ 
.,  S.   I.,  uutticui,  M.  iX,  Alfred  Still.',  M.  1)..  V'""'    a  V.  Ke*tlug,  M.  B.. 
ugh   L.  llodgo.  M.  D.,  .To?('|di  Loidv,  M.  D.,  J I  tshorne,  M.  D.,  Wil- 

W'lY^r,  M.  X)..  Paul  B.  (Jodard,  Si.  D.,  B.  U.  (..  '    I).,  M.  M.  Levis, 

D.,  Franris  Wo-t.  M.  T).,  L^wh  1\  ITarlnw,  M.  D  Uodmaii,  M.  D., 

^\  M.  D.,  J.  '  M.  U.,  \  ifunt,  M.  1)., 

i.  I)..  K.  .1     :  ^       i<:.  B.  Sir:        .       \l.  1).,  John 

on-.'M.  i).,  Wiiiiam  Harris,  M.  D..  Joiiii  Wiltbank,  M.  D.,  W.  H.  (Jpbrccht 
©.,  Samuel  Jackson,  M.  D.,  A.  Owen  tirillo,  M.  D.,  Willi;im  D.  lloyt,  M.  1)., 
c  J.  Zicj;ler,  M.  D.,  Warfhington  L.  Alice,  M.  1).,  William  Curran,  M.  D.. 
Darrach,  M.  !>.,  James  J.  1 -— ^   ^1.  D.,  J.  Forsyth  Mt  igs,  M.  1).,  William 
OQpcr,  ^l.  D.,  Thomas  Ii(  he,  M.  D.,  John  1).  (Tridcom,  M.  D.,  E. 

lt«ton  Jicks'^n,  M.  D.,  A.  \V.  t.iiiiir',  M.  D.,  J()se})h  Klapp,  M.  D.,  Owen 
M.  D.,  rhdip  De  Yoiing,  M.  1).,  J.  F.  Bird.  M.  D..  K.  H.  LfM^,  M.  D.. 
.  :M.  D.,  W.  Keller,  M.  D.,  11.  Evans,  M.  D..  1'  W.  HmstM 

.6.,  Rohicx,  M.  D„  Gr.  EmerBrm,  M.  D.,  Char!  1.  1).,  T).  C. 

ISk»i.' :;,  M.  li.,  Wiiliam  Notion,  31.  1>      '         '^^'        '  '     -     'lin. 

M.  \K.  A.  S.  M.'Munav,  M.  D.,  W.  II.  (  ,.ih. 

^      '  V,  M.  D.,  A.  11.  Fi>l!,  xM.  1>.,  B.  n.  U.aeon,  M.  D.. 

.    !>.,  E.  McCMlan,  M.  D.,  L.  P.  Gebhard,  M.  D..  Wm. 
,  M.  D.,  Wm.  Clendaiiiel,  M.  D.,  Andrew  Chee!?eman,  M.  D.,  Jaroef« 

: 11.  M.  I).,  Joseph'Herita-e.  M.  D.,  J.  llersbev.  M.  1).,  Wm.  Bvrd 

!   .^c  M.  ]).,  O.  J.  Widter,  M.  D.,  W.  N.  Johnson,  M.  D..'E.  F.  Lo^iko,  AI.  D.. 

.A.  L.  Kennedy,  M.  D..  J.  M.  Corse,  M.  ]>     Ai„..ham  Helffenstein,  M.D.,  R.  W. 

ijRichie,  M.  D.,  A.  FriekL-,  M.  D.,  Wm.  A  M.  D.,  John  F.  I^mb,  M.  D., 

"n    D.  Bonner,  M.  D.,  W.  S.  Forbes,  M.  i>..  V>  inthrop  Sergeant,  M.  D.,  S.  0. 

•  ton.  M.  D.,  d.  Uii^krtt.  M.  D..  E.  Seholfield,  M.  D. 

Vr/»  Mfiu-ul  A  '       i)h  R.  Miyan,  M.  D.,  president;  L.  P. 

.  M.  D..  vicf  ;  '.  Atkinr^on,  M.  D.,  8«<rf-t^iry ;  William 

T.  1).,  Porr< -p«  \' ;  J.  Henry  "-  M.  1>.,  treiwmrer  ; 

ld,M.D.,R.i.  .M.I)..J.J.  s  d,M.IX,A.M. 

cuiii,  Al.  D.,  John  Rhein,  M.  D.,  A.  O.  Boumonville,  M.  !>.,  J.  M.  Ka'^d»«ton» 

,    D.,   L.  CuriLs  M.  D.,  Owen  04<r.  M.  D.,  T.  W.  Crai^e,  M.  D.,  TImo.  A. 

Deimn. .  M.  D.,  J.  S.  Hill.  M.  D..  S.  N.  Troth,  M.  I).,  L.  S.  iSomers.  M.  1).,  D. 

Gilbert,  M.  D.,  R.  S.  Koiiderdine,  M.  1).,  R.  Q.  Shehnerdine,  M.  D.,  M.  M.  Levif, 

M.  D.,  L.  D.  Uarlvw,il.  !>.,  R.  J.  Levir*.  M.  D^W.  L.  Atlce,  M.  D.,  C.  Wittig. 

M.  D.,  S.  Updig.ove,  il.  i).,  B.  Price,  M.  D. 

Medical  Society  nf  the  State  of  Ptnimylvaniai — ^D.  P.  Condio,  M.  D.,  presi- 
dent. 

Phihulelphia  Medical  Socicfy. — R.  I-A  Roche,  M.  D^  president ;  John  Neill, 
M.D..  V  :  A.  E.  Stockcr.  M.  D., 

Fati^  'y  of  Pkiladcfphia, — A  M.  D.,  president ;  R.  La 

Roche,  .M.  iJ.,  £.  ilart."*home,  M.  I).,  vice-preiidcnu ;  J.  Da  Coata,  M.  D.,  eec- 
retary;  John  K.  Kane,  assistant  secretary. 


56  ,         DR.    WM.   T.    G.    MORTON. 

Biological  department  of  the  Academy  of  Natural  Sciences  of  Thiladeli  /' 
yhia. — Joseph  Lcidy,  M.  D.,  president;  W.  F.  Atlee,  M.  D.,  recorder.  ^^\ 

Profession  at  large. — 0.  P.  Turner,  M.  D.,  0.  A.  Judson,  M.  D.,  L.  D.  Bod-  ^ 
vier,  M.  D.,  John  Gegan,  M.  D.,  Samuel  Tucker,  M.  D.,  Andrew  J.  Smiley,  M. 
D.,  C.  S.  Wurts,  M.  D.,  James  W.  Bacon,  M.  D.,  J.  R.  McClurg,  M.  D.,  E. 
Sliippen,  M.  D.,  W.  S.  Sliippen,  M.  I).,  0.  S.  Bishop,  M.  D.,  Alexander  C.  Hart, 
M.  I).,  G.  J.  Chamberlain,  M.  D.,  James  Darrach,  M.  D.',  A.  C.  Deakyne,  M. 
D.,  Morris  J.  Asch,  M.  D.,  W.  N.  Handy,  M.  D.,  N.  0.  Reid,  M.  D.,  William 
Graham,  M.  D.,  John  H.  Brinton,  M.  D.,  Robert  Boiling,  M.  D.,  William  M. 
Breed,  M.  D.,  E.  L.  Carter,  M.  D.,  Edward  A.  Spooner,  M.  D.,  George  B.  Mom- 
house,  M.  D.,  Samuel  H.  Ashton,  M.  D.,  Jas.  D.  Mundy,  M.  D.,  0.  P.  La  Roebe, 
M.  D.,  W.  Moss,  M.  D.,  J.  K.  T.  Van  Pelt,  M.  D.,  J.  M.  Boisnot,  M.  D.,  J.  C 
Cooper,  M.  D.,  S.  H.  Horner,  M.  D.,  David  Burpee,  M.  D.,  A.  Pennebaker,  M 
D.,  E.  S.  Sharp,  M.  D.,  George  Spackman,  M.  D.,  Robert  Foster,  M.  D.,  Ed«mt"^ 
Fuflsell,  M.  D.,  William  Gregg,  M.  D.,  Samuel  P.  Brown,  M.  D. 


','    1   "Proceedings  at  a  meeting  of  the  medical  prof ession  of  New  York. 

On  the  24th  of  June,  a  meeting  of  medical  gentlemen,  interested  in  raisitrgtjih 
national  testimonial  for  the  benefit  of  the  discoverer  of  anaesthesia,  was  held  &tjL 
the  residence  of  Dr.  Willard  Parker.  L 

The  hour  for  organization  having  arrived.  Dr.  Parker  addressed  the  meefhift|  \^ 
explained  its  objects,  and  proposed  for  president  Dr.  Joseph  M.  Smith,  whicnif 
nomination  having  been  seconded,  was  voted  upon  and  carried.  Dr.  Gurdon,  ji 
Buck  was  then  elected  corresponding  secretary,  and  Drs.  Bibbins  and  Thomaa  ^, 
recording  secretaries.  iloi 

The  meeting  being  now  duly  organized,  the  business  of  the  evening  was  caH&d 
for,  and  proceeded  in  this  wise : 

1.  Dr.  John  Watson  read  a  list  of  the  names  of  some  of  the  most  promin«n|> 
benevolent,  and  wealthy  of  the  citizens  of  New  York,  and  proposed  that  eaen 
gentleman  present  should  charge  himself  with  visiting  such  of  them  as  he  had 
most  inflaence  with,  and  raising  as  large  subscriptions  as  possible  to  head  the 
list.  This  was  acted  upon ;  a  list  of  one  hundred  names  was  read,  and  the  duiy 
of  canvassing  them  assumed  by  various  gentlemen  composing  the  meeting. 

2.  Dr.  Buck  moved  that  a  committee  of  medical  men  be  appointed  to  conf^ 
with  gentlemen  out  of  the  profession  as  to  the  most  efficient  means  for  accon> 
plishing  the  end  in  view.  This  was  seconded  by  Dr.  Parker  and  carried.  On 
the  committee  the  president  then  appointed  Drs.  John  W.  Francis,  Willard 
Parker,  John  Watson,  Valentine  Mott,  James  Minor,  J.  Marion  Sims,  James 
R.  Wood,  Gurdon  Buck,  and  Joseph  M.  Smith;  and,  upon  motion  of  Dr.  Sayrc, 
the  president  was  added  to  it.  This  comiiiittee,  it  was  agreed,  should  meet  at 
the  house  of  Dr.  Parker  at  an  early  date. 

3.  It  was  then  moved  by  Dr.  Parker  that  a  committee  of  one  selected  from 
the  medical  board  of  each  public  charity  of  the  city  and  its  vicinity  should  be 
appointed  to  wait  upon  the  boards  directing  the  various  institutions,  and  solicit 
donations  in  behalf  of  the  object  which  has  called  us  together  this  evening. 
This  motion  was  seconded  by  Dr.  Watson  and  carried.  The  following  appoint- 
ments were  then  made  by  the  chair:  Dr.  Gurdon  Buck,  New  York  Hospital; 
Dr.  J  anies  R.  Wood,  Bellevue  Hospital ;  Dr.  J.  M.  Carnochan,  Emigrants'  Hos- 
pital; Dr.  William  H.  Van  Buren,  St.  Vincent's  Hospital;  Dr.  Benjamin  Ogden, 
St.  Luke's  Hospital;  Dr.  J.  Moses,  Jews'  Hospital;  Dr.  J.  M.  Sims,  Women's 
Hos}ntal;  Dr.  (i.  L.  Elliott,  Child's  Hospital;  Dr.  Elisha  Harris,  (>uarantino 
Hospital;  Dr.  T.  F.  Cock»  New  York  Lying-in  Asylum;  Dr.  Hutcliinson, 
Brooklyn  City  Hospit.il;  Dr.  Ayres,  Long  Island  College  Hospital;  Dr.  Fitch, 
Colored  Home  Hospital;  Dr.  Dubois,  New  York  Eye  Lifirmary;  Dr.  GaiTiah, 
New  York  Ophthalmic  Hospital. 


^IRti 


DR.    WM.   T    G.    MORTON. 


u 


4.  It  was  T         "   ■  V  Dr.  Wat.-on  that    '  '      tran»- 

^d  to  Dr.  T.  (J.  Morton  hv  ' 


a. 

'  y[.l).,  Prctideni. 

(luRDON  BlTK.  M.  D..   Carrr<  /. 


No  turther  bupiuerjs  appearing,  tb* 

tluRDON  BlTK.  M.  D..   Carrr< 

i,     T.  Gaillakd  Thuma>.  M.  1>  .  >      uary. 

L 

a  

L 

T^  A  «#  York  ApyeaL 

I    The  niPflifal  profesftiou  bmre  firom  the  earliest  a^s  felt  the  need  of  somt  aalb 

jud  et^ic'-  •  •         ■        -  «.••••■''■•  '  T  -.".i. 

Th»  -  J         ^e  hare  never  snpplied  this  deficiency,  and 

ae  \  -  which,  within  tlic  past  sixty  or  eighty  ye.ir?,  have  been 

nbs'  i.avo,  until  recontly,  proved  cither  too  dangeroua  qt  too 

nrelial)ii3  to  be  rn  in  general  practice; 

'*    Wint'  and  !«t'(M  :.  He  drinke,  given  in  puch  quantity  as  to  induce  intoli- 

*  Ition,  were  c  y  employed,  even  before  the  commencement  of  the  present 

*ntury,  for  re ;...,  i ...-  persone  insensible  to  the  pain  of  surgical  operations.     With 

same  end  in  view,  gome  surgeon?*,  addressing  the  intellect,  were  in  the  habit 

xciting  Pudden  fear,  alarm,  or  astonishment,  to  divert  the  attention  of  their 

•  ntd.     Others,  again,  resorted  to  the  uncertain  and  inexplicable  influence  of 

'^'  ■"  '         '''^''  the  nitrous  oxide  gas,  administered  by  iuhald- 

:  by  Sir  Humphry  Davy,  been  enijdoyed  for  pro- 

•1.     But  this,  too,  alter  a  fair  trial,  has  failed, 

proved  nugatory  and  delusive.     So  that,  up 

:  of  a  reliable  agent  fc^r  rendering  the  human  body  inscn- 

"«)  long  felt,  and  to  obviate  which  so  many  fruitless  efforts 

vas  still  to  be  supplied.     That  want,  however,  has  since  been 

!  lie  first  great  triumph  of  placing  in  the  bauds  of  the  profession  an  ag<ent 

11,.  r,K  v.o,,l.  rinrr  f],(.  patieut  safelv,  and,  at  will,  utteriy  insensible  to  the 

knifr,  was  in  d«^tecting  and  establishing  by  experimeiU 

lilt    iiirur  jiu\vri>  of  sulphuric  ether.     For  this  discovery  the  world  is 

l»teil  tox)r.  William  T.  G.  Morton,  of  Boston. 

ver  may  have  been    '  i-  preliminary  to  this  remarkable  discovery, 

m's  cl.^im  to  it  is  >\  beyond  all  controversy,  and  his  merit  in 

who  hue  iak<  n  the  trouble  to  iiiform  themselvetj  on  the 
r  a  (pifstion  of  dispute. 

■  >r  can  ilh  i^  and  exj  .  under  the 
;  anro  of  1'                                                        ^          ities  and  i               •  iher,  be  at 

it  day  too  highly  estimated.     Tlic  introduction  ot  this  agent  as  an 

;o,  and  of  the  various  other  agents  of  the  same  class — ^as  chloroform, 

line,  and  the  like — to  which  thu<  directly  led,  ha.s  done  more  for  the  mitigi^ 

■>♦'  ^nmian  suffering  than  any  other  discovery,  with  tho  exception,  perhaps, 

ation,  for  which  the  world  is  indebted  to  medical  science  in  either 

.n  ..r  modern  times.  , 

I  lir  benefit  d^  rived  from  a  ly-discovered  agents  is  not  C9Dfined  to  the 

(lures  of  .  O'-tf  '^^^y  *r^'  "ow  in  hourly  requisition 

'  ter  of  t;  rid  for  suspending  all  ecutw*  of  fcufVering 

■  ■.  .  -^  .  ■  '^ 
.ucliuii  <'i'  iVaenurs  and  di^l  ^, 

i  morbid  exciuibility;  eveu  1"  .  -     -  ^      z  .  _  .iv 


f 


i 


»!' 


58  DR.   WM.    T.    G.   MORTON. 

tion,  not  to  speak  of  the  almost  innumerable  minor  uses  to  which  they  areap 
plied,  as  well  in  the  investigation  as  in  the  treatment  of  disease. 

In  view  of  these  advantages  from  the  use  of  anjBsthetics,  we  feel  that  Di 
Morton,  the  first  to  demonstrate  their  safety  and  efficiency,  and  to  establish  then 
in  general  practice,  has  conferred  a  boon  upon  humanity  as  imperishable  as  it  h 
important,  and  one  of  such  a  character  as  to  entitle  him  to  rank  among  the  ben 
efactors  of  mankind. 

As  members  of  the  medical  profession  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  as  phy  ii 
sicians  and  surgeons  to  the  various  hospitals  and  infirmaries  in  this  city  and  it 
vicinity,  we  therefore  rejoice  to  learn  that  a  piovement  has  been  commenced  b^ 
our  professional  brethren  and  other  gentlemen  of  Boston,  to  establish  a  nationa 
testimonial,  by  voluntary  subscriptions,  for  the  benefit  of  Dr.  Morton.  In  thi 
movement,  after  full  deliberation  and  consultation  among  ourselves,  we  are  read; 
to  participate,  in  accordance  with  the  plan  of  those  who  originated  it,  whic!  ifc 
plan  is  set  forth  by  the  gentlemen  of  Boston  in  the  following  terms : 
'  We  propose  that  a  national  subscription  be  instituted,  the  avails  of  whic 
shall  be  paid  into  the  hands  of  Thomas  B.  Curtis  and  Charles  H.  Mills,  esquires 
as  trustees,  to  be  held,  appropriated,  and  invested  upon  such  trusts,  and  for  sucj  or 
uaes,  for  the  benefit  of  Dr.  Morton,  as  the,  trustees  may  determine. 

Under  governments  more  arbitrary  and  restrictive  than  our  own,  but  mor 
capable  of  meeting  the  claims  of  science,  the  awards  of  merit  are  not  usual! 
left,  as  with  us,  to  the  bounty  of  private  individuals.  Discoveries  and  improve 
ments  of  infinitely  less  importance  to  science  or  humanity  than  that  for  whic] 
we  are  indebted  to  Dr.  Morton  are  at  the  courts  of  Europe  promptly  met  bj 
national  honors  and  emoluments. 

In  our  oAvn  country,  it  is  true,  the  national  government,  after  carefully  ii 
vestigating  Dr.  Morton's  claims,  has  acknowledged  the  benefit  he  has  conferre 
upon  it,  but  has  nevertheless  failed^  as  yet,  to  supply  the  recompense. 

With  these  remarks,  we  have  the  honor  of  recommending  Dr.  Morton's  clain: 
for  remuneration  to  the  consideration  of  our  fellow-citizens,  and  of  solicitin 
their  subscriptions  in  behalf  of  the  fund  which  it  is  proposed  to  raise  for  h:   [ 
benefit.  |  'ai! 

What  the  government  in  this  respect  has  failed  to  do,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  f<  [i 
the  credit  of  the  American  name,  and  from  the  noble  individual  example  |j 
already  set,  that  the  discerning  and  liberal  people  of  the  United  States  will  m  v 
leave  entirely  unaccomplished.  ^  []I 

PHYSICIANS  AND  SURGEONS.  y 

New  York  Hospital  and  Bldomingdale  Asylum. — Thos.  Cock,  M.  D.,  consul  . . 
ing  physician ;  Jos.  ^I.  Smith,  M.  D.,  attending  physician :  John  11.  Griscoi  '^j: 
M.  D.,  attending  physician;  Ilenry  D.  Bulkley,  M.  D.,  attending  physiciai  |,,, 
Thos.  F.  Cock,  M.  D.,  attending  physician ;  Valentine  Mott,  M.  D.,  cousultii  ,  j 
surgeon ;  Alexander  II.  Stevens,  M.  D.,  consulting  surgeon ;  Richard  K.  Ho:  [  ' 
man,  M.  D.,  consulting  surgeon;  xVlfred  0.  Post,  M.  D.,  consulting  surgeoi  ,/ 
Gurdon  Buck,  M.  D.,  attending  surgeon;  John  Watson,  M.  D.,  attending  su  ."^ 
geon ;  Thad.  M.  Ilalsted,  M.  D.,  attending  surgeon ;  Thos.  M.  Markoe,  M.  I  *;'■' 
attending  surgeon  ;  Wm.  II.  Van  Buren,  M.  D.,  attending  surgeon ;  Willa  , ' 
Parker,  M.  D.,  att(^nding  surgeon.  '  , 

Bellevue  Hosjj'UaU  and  of  the  otlier  institutions  under  the  rharire  of  the  hoa  f^J' 
of  governors  of  the  almshouse. — John  W.  Francis,  M.  D.,  consulting  physicia: 
Isaac  Wood,  M.  D.,  consul  ling  physician;  H.  W.  McCready,  M.  D.,  attend 
physician;  John  T.  Metcalfe, -M.  D.,  attending  pl^ysician;  Isanc  E.  Tayh 
M.  D.,  attending  physician;  B.  Fordyce  Barker,  M.  D.,  attending  physicia 
Geo.  T.  Elliott,  M.  D.,  attending  physician  ;  Valentine  Mott,  M.  D.,  consulti 
siu'gcon;  Alex.  II.  Stevens,  M.  D.,  consulting  surgeon;  Jas.  R.  Wood,  M.  I 


r: 


511(1: 


DB.   ^VM.   T.    O     MORTON. 


n 


iidinfj  pnrp:oon  ;  Cbns.  D.  Smith,  M.  D.,  attending  surgeon  ;  I^wit*  A.  Lavre^ 

.M     1).  ••  -    ••-•'':  .!    J   r^ -...-,  M.  D..  ar»—'"" -urgcon;  W.Parker, 

M.  h  li,  M.  D..  :  surgiT)n. 

y  U"'j'  'ui,  liamuiii  s  Uiaiid. — Ilenry  N.  \v  unilesey,  M.  D.,  resideol 

-'    (^  ■'  -  Island— K.^    '■  "^L  D.,  health  officer, 

l»nr;  .  -on,  M.  D.,  a.-  ,  .m,  Quanmtiuc  Hoft- 

I. 

!''(!' hrcff's  hlaytd  Hnsp}fals,  {Penitentiary    Ho^pitah   Smrrlfpox  Ilo^ila?, 

-r,  M.  D., 
'    II.  lldivi      :  ian. 

—         i.  Cnrnochau,  M.  1'  t-iu-chief;  T.  0. 

;^     ..,   11.  L.....kc,  M.  D.,  gurgeoi;,   ;i....y  13.  Fay,  M.  D., 
;    Francis   Simrock,   M.   D.,   physician;    G.   Ford,   M.   IX, 

al. — Tbo3.  E.  Burtsell,  M.  D.,  attending  physician ;  James 
.  _U.  1'..                        '  :   Wm.  n.  Van  l^ureii,  M.  B.,  attending^ 

;   AlfT.    !        ling  surgeon;  Tho:*.  C  Finnell,  M.  D., 

j/'ffnl. — D.  E.  fciginbrodt,  re?*ident  physician. 

. — V.  Mott,  M.  D..  consulthi :  i ;  W.  Parker.  M.  D.,  con- 

T.  ^r.  :M:irk.o,   !\r.   D.,  at;  .,    .m^rou  :  Alex.  B.   Mott, 

I.  D.,  aiiendiiij  ;  C.  R.  Oilman, 

.,:ii.  i  .,   .      .      .  .,    \:  .  ±'..  -.  -.\well,  M.  D.,  .  physician. 

I     Xcfc    i'"//    L  ary. — A.  Dubois,  il.  !>.,  ;    Guixlon   Buck, 

iJm.D.,-  :    ..M.ii   '-  -^   ^f.  D.,  surgeon;  C.K.  .;^...,v,M.D.,  surgeon; 

refc*.  J.    !  .  M.  D.,  surgeon;  J.  11.  Hinton,  M.  D.,  assistaiU 

hthalmic  Huifpital. — Mark  Stepliendon,  M.  D  ,  surgeon;  Johu 
'11. 

if. — (>.   A.  Sabiqe,  M.  D„  consulting  surgeon;    W. 
:  J.  S.  Thebaud,  M.  D.,  consulting  suigeon ; 

.  M.  D.,  surgeon. 
;    .  ^  i     i     Cock,  M.  D.,  consulting  physician;  J. 

r.  Metathc,  M.  D.,<3on8ulung  physician  ;  G".  T.  Elliott,  M.  1).,  consultmg  phyB>- 
Uian, 

}fnrserii  and  CfuUVs  no.fpital. — G  T.  Elliott,  M.  D.,  attending  physician  ; 
-T.  C.  Cox,  M.  D.,  attending  phytic'  -  :  ^t-      A    p  •<  --    "^t    M.,  attending  phy- 
■m;  F.  V.  Johnston,  M.  D.,  ate 

.7/  Diapc/itary. — .Tno.  O.  Bi"i!.-  ii,   M.   i».,   nonso   ^iiy^ician;  Wm.  B. 

M.  1).,  vi.-sitin^  physician  ;  D.  L.  tonant,  M.  D.,  attt  uding  surgeon  ;  T. 

M.  I).,  V.  ^[.  Smiih,  M.  D.,  attending 

I.^'ninTi  rr  physician;  W.  R.  Donaghe, 

iWiis,  M.  1).,  attending  physician;  Jno.  A. 

\ork  A'  r, — J.  F.  '  !rT,  M.D..  president ;  John 

.  M.  r»  ^  •:.   n.\',y.  ,  M.D.,  vice-president;  8. 

M.  D.,  ^  C.  E.  Isaacs,  M.  D.,  vice-president;  C. 

^y.ro.  .     uy;  S.  T.  Hubbard,  M.  D.,  dom.  cone- 

M.D.,  XviiiM^x 


1^1,11%.',  lii  ii 


trei\i»urrr ;  Samuel  Rotten,  M.  D.,  U- 

D.,  trustee ;  Ed.   L.  Beadle,  iM.  D.,  trustee ; 

:,  M.  D.,  trustee ;  F.  U.  Johnston,  M.  D.,  assistant  secretary;  B.  F. 

M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  Gurdon   Buck,  M.  I).,  resident  fellow;  H.  D. 

;.-,  2*1.  D.,  resident  fellow  ;  F.  J.  Bumstead,  M.  D.,  resident  f.  Ilow  ;  Thos. 

ocK.,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Thos.  F.  Cock,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  J.  J. 


60 


P^,  jJWTM.   T.   G.    MORTON. 


D 


Crane,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Geo  T.  Elliott,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  T.  C 
Finnell,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  J.  W.  Francis,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  J.  P 
Garrisli,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  C.  R.  Oilman,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  J,  H 
Griscom,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  T.  M.  Ilalstcd,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow  ;  E.  Har- 
ris, M.  D,,  resident  fellow ;  J.  H.  Hinton,  M.  D.,  resident  fello^v ;  Isaac  Wood, 
M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  J.  R.  Wood,  M.  D.,  resident  fellfw  ;  Jas.  Anderson,  M 
D.,  resident  fellow;  E.  Acosta,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  E.  II.  Davis,  M.  D., 
resident  fellow;  A.  K.  Gardner,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  Ed.  Delafield,  M.. D., 
resident  fellow:  Joel  Foster,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  J.  0.  Beales,  M.  D.,  resi- 
dent fellow ;  R.  W.  Barry,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  H.  W.  Brown,  M.  D.,  resi- 
dent fellow;  J.  0.  Forrester,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow  ;  H.  S.  Downs,  M.  D., resi- 
dent fellow  ;  F.  S.  Edwards,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  F.  Elliott,  M.  D.,  resident 
fellow;  R.  Pennell,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  T.  W.  Richards,  M.  D.,  resident 
fellow ;  A.  Underbill,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Jos.  Wooster,  M.  D.,  resident, 
fellow ;  J.  W.  S.  Gouley,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  E.  H.  Janes,  M.  D.,  resident 
fellow ;  0.  Henscliell,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow  ;  A.  Gescheidt,  M.  D.,  resident  fel- 
low ;  A.  N.  Gunn,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Wm.  H.  Maxwell,  M.  D.,  resident 
fellow;  E.  Hall,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  Jared  Linsley,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow j 
John  McClelland,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  E.  Lee  Jones,  M.  D.,  resident  feUow  j 
B.  W.  McCready,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  W.  Parker,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow 
G.  A.  Sabine,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow  ;  L.  A.  Sayer,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  J", 
M.  Sims,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  C.  D.  Smith,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow,^  M.  Smith, 
M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  Mark  Stephenson,  M.  D., resident  ellofw;  J.  E. Taylor. 
M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  T.  G.  Thomas,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow;  W.  H.  Van  Bi> 
ren,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow  ;  Wm.  Minor,  M.  D.,  resident  feUow ;  Jos.  Martin, 
M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  J.  W.  Ranney,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow  ;  John  Priestley. 
M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Alex.  H.  Stevens,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  W.  C.  Liv- 
ingston, M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Ste}3hen  Smith,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Geo, 
Lewis,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Jas.  D.  Fitch,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  Charlw 
A.  Budd,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  N.  C.  Husted,  M.  D.,  resident  fellow ;  TK'fl 
W.  Horsfield,  M.  D.,  resident, fellow. 

New  York  Medical  College. — Horace  Green,  M.  D.,  president  of  faculty  ;  E 
H.  Davis,  M.  D.,  professor  of  materia  medica ;  B.  F.  Barker,  M.  D.,  professor 
of  obstetrics ;  R.  Ogdeib  Doremus,  M.  D.,  professor  of  chemistry  ;  J.  M.  Ca»- 
nochan,  M.  D.,  professor  of  surgery;  H.  G.  Cox,  M.  D.,  professor  of  theory 
and  practice;  E.  R.  Peaselee,  M.  D.,  professor  of  physiology;  Chas.  A.  Budd, 
M.  D'.,  lecturer  on  obstetrics. 

New  York  Pathological  Society. — E.  R.  Peaselee,  M.  D.,  president ;  E.  Har- 
ris, M.  D.,  vice-president ;  E,  Lee  Jones,  M.  D.,  secretary ;  W.  B.  Bibbins,  M. 
D.,  treasurer ;  T.  0.  Finnell,  M.  D.,  curator. 

Brooklyn  City  Hospital. — James  Crane,  M.  D.,  attending  physician ;  H.  S. 
Smith,  M.  D,,  attending  physician ;  George  Cochran,  M.  D.,  attending  physi- 
cian ;  C.  E.  Iv^iincs,  M.  D.,  attending  surgeon ;  Daniel  E.  Kissam,  Attending 
surgeon ;  J.  C.  Hutchinson,  attending  surgeon ;  Jos.  M.  Minor,  M.  D.,  attend- 
ing surgeon. 

College  of  Phyfticians  and  Surgeons. — Thomas  Cock,  M.  D.,  president ;  Ed. 
Delafield,  M.  D.,  emeritus  professor  of  obstetrics;  Willard  Parker,  M.  D.,  pro 
fessor  of  surgery  ;  Joseph  M.  Smith,  M.  D.,  professor  of  materia  medica  j  C 
R.  Gilman,  M.  D.,  professor  of  obstetrics. 

University  AMical  College. — Wm.  H.  Van  Burcn,  M.  D.,  professor  of  anat- 
omy ;  Alfred  C.  Post,  M.  D.,  professor  of  surgery;  J.  T.  Metcalfe,  M.  D.,  pro- 
fessor of  practice. 


I 


DR.    yn,{.   T.    O.   MORTOX.  61 


T^  T/ie  Boston  Ap/fral. 

Vn  THR  Pi  BLK':  The  power  of  ethme  vapow  to  produce  a  Fafe  iuscnsi- 

to   pnin   durinj^  purg^ical  opcr.itions,  and  on  other  occaflions  of  CToat 

!    -nttorin^.  if>   ono  of  the  most   bpnnfK'fMit   discoveries   that  has   l)ccn 

•n  race.     It  ir<  v  conceded  that  Dr.  W.  T.  G. 

ii^'tnim'^ntal  itine:    thiri    fact   t«»   the    world. 

'.  hole  of  the  ;  t»'r  to  page  62.    J  of  this  city, 

t    of  whom   fli  M',  tofjrther   with  othf^r  hodicB 

'  I'lent   person?,  who  have  invet«ti«jated  its  origin,  have,  tfter  careful 

.  concurred  in  af-^igning  tliis   merit  to  Dr.  Morton,  and   public  opinion 

'  pincc  confirmed  their  verdict. 

i  I  i>  not  necessary  to  enter  in  det^iil  into  the  cire.nmPtanccH  which  have  pre- 

■ifed  I)r.  Morton  from  recei>'ing  any  pecuniary  benefit  from  this  discovery. 

I'lio  fact  is  certain,  that  Dr.  Mort«>n  ha^  b^^cn  an  in.stn.  ider  Divine 

.vidrnce,  of  introducing  to  the  world  one  of  the  most  r(  :  discoveries 

1   tliat  he  hud  received   no  reward  for  it  but  the 

-o. 

-        Iionsands  when  we  say  that  a 

u  .  i  to  Dr.  Morton. 

'!.      How  tiie  poor  snf^t-rer  risen  irom  beneath  the  surgeon's  knife,  ^nth 

^KTves   11.  J  by  the  slightest  Heusatiou  of  the  torture  that  would  otherwise 

ve  been  his!     liow  often  has  the  mother  passed  in  uncon.^icious  alumbqr, 

i.r.nigh  "the  perils  of  childbirth,"  to  wake  to  ner  new  happiness,  without  one 

;;  nrmory  of  its  agonies,  and  breathed,  witli  iho  prayer  of  thauksgiving  to  God,  a 

}:  Might  of  him — to  her,  perliaps,  the  unknown  discoverer — whose  happy  con- 

;  tif)n,  perseverance,  and  courage,  first  established  the  astonishing  fact  that 

i      human  frame  may  suffer  all  the  coik     '  ul  not  one  of  the  .sensations  of 

n!     What   has  already  occurred    th:      _  the  whole   world    since  this 

y  was  made;  in  hospitals,  in  private  cb;mibcrs  of  tho  sick,  on  fiolds  of 

;i  the  ocean,  and  on  the  land — wherever  humanity  nndcrgocs  the  "ills 

li  is  heir  to" — is  to  occur  through  countless  ages,  while  the  race  is  left 

irth!     xVnd  yet,  year  rolls  att«r  year,  and  the  spontaneous  gratitude 

;  ii  is  felt  and  uttered  whenever  and  wh«*rever  this  great  discovery  is  used  or 

;romplited,  linds  no  permanent  voice,  because  no  efforts  are  made  to  coucen- 

I  ite  and  direct  it  to  its  object.  ♦ 

We  propose  that  such  efforts  be  now  made.     We  think  that  the  people  of 

United  States,  acting  individually,  should  do  what  their  gMvemment  has 

'     *  d,  or  been  unable  to  do.     National  testimonLils,  established  by  the 

y  contributions  of  individuals,  have  been  adopted  in  all  countries,  to 

.vK  till'  public  sense  of  s^    .  '      '  i  family,  i         '  "        '    n  such 

\  ices  hyvo  reflected  hon^  .  the  com.  v  have 

•n-d. 

V.  «f*  that  a  national  pnb«crij>tion  be  instituted,  the  avaiU  of  which 

!  nto    the    1  A.    Lawr  1    John    Lowell, 

•  es — to  Im  ..      .        '  (1,  and  |^  .  ;Mm  such  trusts, 

id   tor   sucli   uses,  for  the   benctit   oi    Dr.   Morton,   as   tiie   trustees   miay 

temiine. 

James  Jackson,  M.  D.,  Jaco^  ,  M.  D.,  S.  D.  Townscnd,  M,  D.,  John 

'  tfries,  M.  D.,  Edward  Reynold. ..  .1.  i)„  Jnhn  Ilomans,  M.  D.,  M.  S.  Perry, 
I.  D.,  O.  W.  Holmes,  M.  D.,  John  Ware,  ^il.  D.,  George  Ilavwanl,  M.  D.,  J. 

tiason   W.irren.  M.  D.,  Henry  J.  Bigrlow,  M.  D.,  Charles  o'  V -  .  M.  D., 

licharl    H.  Dana,  jr.,  esq.,  Alexander  II.  Vinton,  D.D.,  8.  K.  D.  D., 

John  B.  Fitzpatrick,  bishop  of  Boston,  William  H.  Prescott,    i.  N. 

iVjdams,  D.  D.,  Hon.  Rufus  Choate,  Charles  P.  Curtis,  esq.,  F.  C.  L        _       q.. 


(62  PJR,   ^M.   T.   Q    MORTON. 

Hon.  G,  S.  flillard,  William  Dehon,  esq.,  Beuj.  Peirce,  professor  HarVai 
University,  F.  D.  Huntington,  D.  D.,  Henry  W.  Longfellow,  professor  Ht 
vard  University,  Jared  Sparks,  president  Hai-vard  University,  R.  B.  Forbc 
esq.,  P.  W.  Cliandler,  esq.,  Alex.  H.  Rice,  mayor  of  Boston,  Hon.  Robert  I 
Wintlirop.  I 

MEMORIAL  OF  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  MASSACHUSETTS  MEDICAL  SOCIETY. 

To  the  honor ahlt  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  the  United  Stui 

in   Congress  assembled: 

Tlic  uiiuVisi^iieu  iiereby  testify  to  your  honorable  body  that,  in  their  opinio 
Dr.  William  T.  G.  Morton  first  proved  to  the  world  that  ether  would  produ 
insensibility  to  the  pain  of  surgical  operations,  and  that  it  could  be  used  wi 
Eafety.  In  their  opinion,  his  fellow-men  owe  a  debt  to  him  for  thi.-<  knowled| 
Wherefore  they  respectfully  ask  a  recognition  by  Congress  of  his  services  to  1 
country  and  mankind  : 

John  C.  Warren,  M.  D.,  senior  surgeon  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  a' 
late  president  American  Medical  Society,  and  emeritus  professor  of  anatomy 
Harvard  University ;  George  Hayward,  M.  D.,  president  Massachusetts  Medi(' 
Society  and  surgeon  Massachusetts  General   Hospital ;  J.  Mason  Warren,  . 
D.,  surgeon  Massachusetts  General  Hospital;  S.  D.  Townsend,  M.  J).,  surge 
Massachusetts  General  Hospital ;  S.  Parkman,   M.  D.,  surgeon  Massachuse' 
General  Hospital ;  Henry  G.  Bigelow,  M.  D.,  surgeon  Massachusetts  GeneJ 
Hospital,  and  professor  of  surgery  Harvard   University ;  Henry  G.  Clark, 
D.,  surgeon  Massachusetts  General  Hospital  and  city  physician ;  Jacob  Bij* 
low,  M.  D.,  professor  materia  medica  Harvard  University,  and  president  of  ti 
American  Academy   of  Arts  and   Sciences,  and  physician   to   Massachusei 
General  Hospital;   Oliver  W.  Holmes,  M.  D.,  professor  of  anatomy,  Harva  I 
University;  Henry  1.  Bowditch,  M.  D.,  physician  Massachusetts  General  Hi  If 
rrital;  D.  Humphreys  Storer,  M.  D.,  physician  Massachusetts  General  Hospit^  5 
M.  S.  Perry,  M.  D.,  physician  Massachusetts  General  Hospital;  James  Jacks(  i 
M.  D.,  George  C.  Shattuck,  M.  D.,  John  Jeffries,  M.  D.,  Edward  Reynolds;  I  tr 
D.,  consulting  physicians  and  surgeons  Massachusetts  General  Hospital ;  Edwel  il 
Reynolds,  M.  I).,  W.  Hooper,  M.  D.,  George  A.  Bethune,  M.  D.,  Massachuse'  il 
Charitable  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary  ;  JohnL.  Pox,  M.  D.,  surgeon  United  Sta  .\ 
navy,  Chelsea  Naval  Hospital ;  Walter  Channing,  John   Homaus,    preside 
Suffolk  District  McdicSl  Society;  Z.  B.  Adams,  John  C.  Hayden,  John  Wa 
Ephraim  Buck,  George  Bartlett,  Jonas  H.  Lane,  Anson  Hooker,  Henry  Dy 
Augustus  A.  Gould,  Charles  Gordon,  Joseph  S.  Jones,  Samuel  Kneeland 
T.  Fletcher  Oakes,   George  Hubbard,  Charles  W.  Moore,  Richard  H.  Salt 
Fytche  Edward  Oliver,  William  J.  Dale,  William  Edward  Coale,  James 
Stone,  B.  W.  Newell,  Francis  A.  Willard,  William  Hawes,  Charles  Mifflin 
Wippasne,  Abraham  A.  Watson,  Aaron  P.  Richardson,  Henry  A.  Ward,  Vt 
Ram  Bowen  Morris,  James  B.  Gregorson,  William  W.  Morland,  M.  C.  Greelr? 
Horace  Stacey,  Franklin  F.  Patch,  Samuel  L.  Abbott,  John  H.  Dix,  James  Ay 
Joseph  J.  F  des,  P.  Wilbrand,  Ezr  i  Bartlett,  S.  F.  Parcher,  James  Hyudm; 
Henry  S.  Lee,  E.  D.  Cleveland,  John  Stevens,  Ira  W/Pobie,  J.  Everett  Herri 
N.  C.  Stevens,  Euock  C.  Rolfe,  Henry  Willard,  A.  Alexander,  D.  jMcGowlfrt. 
Thomas  R.  Owens,  Luther  Clark,  Charles  T.  Hoff'envane,  Samuel  ]\Lorrill,  Si 
Durkee,  George  Stevens  Jones,  Jesse  Chickcring,  J.  A.  Tarbcll,  George 
Lyman,  Henry  W.  Williams,  J.  Randolph  Lincoln,  George  Derby,  Warren 
Whitney,  Francis  Minot,  1).  D.  Slade,  W.  E.  Townsend,  John  B.  Alley,  Gee 
H.  Gay,  Lnther  Parks,  jr..  William  G.  Wheeler,  F.  H.  Gray,  James  F.  Harl( 
(>eorge   RnsscU,   Charles  E.  Ware,  E.  W.  Blake,  Edward  H.  Clark,  Saoji  ^, 
ti-rc^g,  E.  D,  Miller,  C.  G.  Putnam,  Charles  A.  Phelps,  John  Odin,  jr.,  Joac 


D&   WM.   T.   0.   MORTON.  63 

\  noMp,  GeinbQiy^'ai'(^>  j^-.  Hciirv   Opproorl  Stnno,  G.  Nf*T^'fnn  Tl»omp!»nn, 

M.  I'liipps,  Atiicr  lMirl|.      '  ^  \:% 

I.,  llinoklcy..).  W.  11.:.       ,  i     I  '  ...    ''U 

irlort  K.  Hu*rkiii{?hani,  J.  W.  VVarrcn,  jr.,  1).  i).  fc>mith,  (i<or;;n    I'nwcr,  Wil- 
1   Kouil,  .1.  F.  W.  Uuo,  CoiK'«t.  B.  O'Donnell,  M.  R.  C.  S.  K.,  .John  S.  II. 
j;:,  Kilmuml  T.  En.'<tnmii,  William  S.  Coffin,  Jonn  C.  Sharp,  Al<  xnndcr  S. 
'       !'     'mill   B.  Appk'tou,  M.  Mattson,  David  Thayer,  J.  C.  8anboni,  H 

-K.  E.  Braun,  A.  J.  Bellowp,  Bcnjamm  Seabury,  Gcf)rgo  W. 

il.  Allon.  A.  U.  WebluT,  1.  r.  Alden,  W.  W.  Wcliiu^'ton,  U. 

I  1-,  A.  J.  ('  '■.  Thoiiiart  J.  I'tv  .  Iiiiitfon 

li,  JamcjB  i     .  ih,  John  Toomey. 

7/. — Wiliiiim  lugalls,  pbysici.ui  aiul   surgeon   United   »SUiU;»  Marine 

Siiiem. — A.    L.  Poirson,   William  Mack,  George    Choato,    William    Henry 
ice,   J.  G.  W(X)d,  Jam<'9   Stone,  jr.,  E.  B.  Pierson,  (ieorgc  0.  S.  Cboate, 
rj^e  A.  Porkius,  II.  Wheatland,  Samuel  Johnson,  Edward  A.  llolyokc 
Fnunfon. — Alfred  Baylies,  II.  B.  Hubbard,  Horac<-  1^>h.'h.  F.]..  .,..,,,,.  l)awci«, 
liam  DifkiuHon,  Danitl  King,  George  Leonard. 
N'      'nnnjport. — E.  ('r(.?8,  S.  M.  Gale. 

/         — A.  S.  Adara^,  J.  T.  Galloupe,  Daniel  Parley,  D.  A.  Johnson,  B. 
V      <  M.  Nye,  John  Renton,  Nathaniel  RuggleB,  Charles  it. 
dl. 
1  v/<r. — 1!  '      rko,  Samuel   Flagg,   George  A.  Bates,   Charles  W. 

il),  Josepii         _      i,  Onuncl  Martin,   William  Workman,  Uufurt  Wood- 
1.  Henry  Sargent,  A.  Goulet,  P.  B.  Mignoult,  Benjamin  Hey  wood,  John  B. 
(liaway. 
I  ^pri'        ',!. — .Tames  M.  Smith,  Edwin  Sccger,  N.  Adams,  A.  S.  McClcan, 
i.dlVrd  l..ijii!K-rt,  G.  C.  Chaftee,   H.   A.  Hamilton,   Henry   B.  V.m<.    J).   C. 
jrjkins. 

.    Pittsfield.—\l  H.  Childs,  president  of  Berkshiro  Medical  Iii^.nuu..u;  N.  S. 
Unios,  O.  S.  Root,  Frank  A.  Cady,  O.  E.  Brewster,  Nathaniel  Foote,  Avery 
'  niams,  A.  N.  Allen,  L.  F.  Uumeriton,  WUlard  Clough,  Clark  F.  HaU,  X.  J. 
u.m. 

r    '  ',rH. — T.  S.  Mayhew,  Johnson  Clark,  John  FI.  Jennings,  Wiiliiim 
.1  "ijah  Colby,  C.  D.  Stickuey,  John  Howell  Mat  kie,  I'aul  Spoone*. 

Val  Fall  li<rt  r. — .fames  W.  Hartly,  1*.  A.  Smith,  Jeromo  Dwdly,  Fodter  lioopei, 
!lv].  T.  Lranud. 

J.r,w('U.—^h^)\n  (>.  Green,  Henry  Whiting,  J.  P.  Jewett  J.  D.  Pill.«jbury, 
ha  niiiiiin-;  >;  .  .Tulin  W.  Graves,  Cliai'lcs  A.  Savery,  AaA  Spalding,  David 
1,  H.  Pillsbury,  P.  l\  Campbell,  L.  B.  Mors-,  Chark* 
1 ),., .. .  i  .  :^. ; .  i  .  iviltredgc,  Daniel  Holt,  Daniel  Mowe,  J.  W.  Scrihoer. 
/y^/trr«io*e.— George  W.  Sanborn,  William  D.  Lamb,  David  Dana,  J.  H. 
'se. 

Srmth  Andover.' — Jame?  Howarth,  W.  II.  Kimball. 
/)"/;>. — .Jeremy  Stimson,  D.  1*.  Wight.  H.  F.  Spear. 
1'         '/nf. — ThoK.  H.  Boutclle,  Levi  Pillsbury,'!.  W.  Wadsworth,  W.  M. 

/    ,  1 ..  Hunt,  Winslow  Warren,  Benjamin  Uubb;ird,  Timothy 

lUngham. — Ezra  StephcnBon,  Robert  T.  P.  Fi.^kc. 

•^Quinrii. — I'.!    'If. /.er  Wood  wan'    '"'        -      •:  '.  id. 

v^Po/?/v7-?. —  .Vmlrew  Nicholle,  .!■    ',-1  ''-.:'';.    ;  i  rv ,  :    .\    <_.    -vcnor. 'Gaorire 
jij'^od.  '  ji,, 

Marblchead. — James  C.  Brigga,  Chandler  Flagg,  Daniel  Gill. 
Beverly. — W.  C.  Boyden,  Chariot  Haddock,  lugalls  Kittrodg^-. 


I 

M  DR.    WM.    T.    a.    MORTON. 

(jrloucester. — Isaac  P.  Smitlj,  C.  H.  Hildretli,  George  W.  Smith. 
Rockport. — Benjamin  Haskell,  Lemuel  Gott,  Oscar  D.  Abbott. 
Newton. — Henry  Bigelow,  Cyrus  K.  Bartlet. 
;    Framingham. — Simon  Whitney,  Allston  W.  Whitney. 
Mil  ford. — Francis  LelaiM,  Theodore  0.  Cornish. 

Historical  statement. 

The  foregoing  pages  set  forth  in  outline  the  fact  that  there  is  a  very  gene 
morvement  among  the  American  people,  inaugurated  by  leading  members  of  t 
profession  in  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia,  in  behalf  of  one  of  the  mi 
praiseworthy  objects  which  can  appeal  to  patrons  of  science  or  the  friends 
humanity.  They  show  that  the  noble  work  is  at  last  undertaken,  which, 
more  than  twelve  years,  has  been  neglected  by  Congress,  to  preserve  the  shel 
of  a  home  for  the  family  of  a  nation's  benefactor,  still  living,  from  the  clamorc 
creditors  to  whom  it  was  pledged  for  debts  incurred  in  making  and  promulgati 
a  discovery  which,  though  leaving  the  discoverer  poor,  has  made  the  wh 
world  his  debtor,  and  to  place  their  future  life  beyond  the  chances  and  vicis 
tudes  of  fortune,  by  the  purchase  of  an  annuity. 

The  discovery  made  by  Dr.  Wm.  T.  G.  Morton,  of  Boston,  of  the  ansesthe 
properties  of  sulphuric  ether,  and  the  safety,  certainty,  and  reliability  of 
effects  in  making  the  severest  surgical  operations,  childbirth,  and  other  scei 
and  conditions  of  physical  suffering,  perfectl}^  painless,  is  a  discovery  alrea 
ranked  by  the  medical  profession  above  that  of  vaccination  by  Jenner,  to  wh 
the  English  Parliament  voted  large  sums  of  money,  and  for  whom  natio 
testimonials  were  raised  and  medals  struck  in  other  nations ;  a  discovery  wh 
benefits  are  not  confined  to  the  subjugation  of  pain,  but  which  are  continua 
unfolding  in  new  departments  of  the  healing  art. 

This  national  movement  was  with  great  propiiety  inaugurated  in  Boston, 
city  where  the  discoverer  lived  and  practiced  his  profession,  and  where  the  £ 
successful  painless  surgical  operation  was  performed.  An  organization  to  r; 
a  national  testimonial  fuQd  in  his  behalf,  with  trustees  residing  in  Boston, 
treasurers  in  the  principal  cities  in  the  United  States,  is  already  establist 
Though  it  is  hardly  passed  beyond  its  inchoate  period,  it  has  enlisted  the  ei 
getic  co-operation  of  some  of  the  most  eminent  and  patriotic  persons  in 
Union.  AH  will  learn  with  surprise  that  two  hundred  thousand  dollars 
not  more  than  reimburse  the  discoverer  of  this  ansesthetic  agent  for  his  outl 
in  making  experiments  which  led  to  the  diricovery,  in  establishing  its  value 
compelling  its  acceptance  by  the  world  in  spite  of  incredulity  and  indifference 
establishing  the  priority  of  his  claims  over  post  facto  discoverers,  and  in  ap 
cations  to  Congress  to  induce  them  to  reimburse  him  for  his  actual  expcnditui 

A  handsome  beginning  for  the  collection  of  this  sum  has  already  been  mr 
though  much  remains  to  be  done.  The  fund  has  received,  as  was  most  fitti 
from  the  medical  institutions  of  Boston  and  vicinity,  and  from  eminent 
wealthy  persons  residing  in  that  seat  of  literature  and  science,  munificent  s 
scriptions.  New  York,  too,  represented  in  the  same  way  by  her  medical  inst 
tions  and  her  wealthy  citizens,  has  shown  an  equal  promptitude  in  discharg 
thia  debt  of  honor,  too  long  owing  to  a  nation's  benefactor.  , 

Such  is  a  brief  and  general  statement  of  the  objects  to  be  accomplished, 
the  present  state  of  the  enterprise. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  argue  at  any  gi*eat  length  for  the  character  or  sue* 
(rf  this  undertaking.  That  would  be  almost  an  insult  to  the  long  list  of 
distinguished  in  all  the  professions,  and  honorably  known  in  commerce  or  in 
more  secluded  walks  of  private  life,  who  now  appcnl  to  the  public  at  lai-ge  t( 


•  See  "Trials  of  a  Public  Benefactor.' 


DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 


^5 


r.     To  doubt  V.  '  would  be  to  clialbuj^r  tlu>  firuTrity 

r  the  medical   i  »   in  MasHncliu.sc  tts,  Now  York,  niu! 

li  Ijdiia,  who  ai*k  pubsrnptiiiu-   to  tliirt  fund — would  b<«  to  wiy  that  the 

.    lias   pone   back   in  the  pre?(  iit  century,  and   that   the  jupticc  given   to 

I.iiiur,   who   conquered  pmall-pox   in    the  hint  century,   would  be  denied   to 

Morton,  who  may  be  naid  to  have  coiujuered  pain  in  tliif. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place,  howev»T,  to  recall  here  the  univer.-^al  thrill  of  joy 
that  was  felt  when  it  wa^i  lirst  announced  to  the  world  how  the  Pubtle  spirit  of 
H?    ether  would  almost  everywhere  subdue  pain,  in  the  Hcverent  purgical  operations, 
:J    i«  »!,..  pangH  of  parturition,  in  the  numberles»8  cases  at  the  hospitals,  on  battle- 
in  time  of  war,  in  cottages  "in  piping  times  of  peace,"  removing,  as  has 
i  11  Will  said,  "half  the  primal  curse,"  and  more  than  justifying  the  unstinted 
i  raise  of  the  foregoing  appeal  of  the  medical  profession  in  New  York,  which  says: 
"  In  vi«nv  of  these  aavantagcs  from  the  use  of  aua'sthetics,  we  feel  that  Ur. 
Morton,  the  first  to  demonstrate  their  safety  luul  efhcie'ncy,  and  to  establish 
tLi   them  in  general  practice,  has  conferred  a  boon  upon  humanity  as  unpirishable 
k   n?  it  ir»  important,  and  one  of  such  a  character  as  to  entitle  him  to  rank  among 
lois  of  mankind." 
\  is  this  the  place  or  time  to  set  forth  as  they  deserve  the  labors  and 

he  sutfeiiugs  which  Dr.  Morton  has  undergone  in  the  twelve  years  which  have  . 
iiccceded  his  great  discovery.     The  story  of  his  wrongs,  his  patience,  his  j)er- 
I  verance,  his  uueonqu(;rablc  energy,  his  poverty,  his  enthusiasm,  his  success  in 
ichieving  an  imperishable  honor,  and  his  failure  in  obtaining  the  slightest  emolu- 
ment for  an  invaluable  discovery,  which  the  world  now  freely  and  daily  uses, 
•'Ci>  has  more  than  the  interest  of  romance.*     They  constitute  a  record  which,  ex- 
M  cept  it  is  ended  by  the  success  of  the  movement  whose  inauguration  has  been 
'  t  forth  in  the  foregoing  pages,  will  stand  a  burning  disgrace  and  sci^dal  to 
he  profi  >jion  and  the  world  which  have  appropriated  and  used  a  discovery,  and 
'  t't  the  discoverer  to  starve.     Shall  it  be  said  that,  through  his  connexion  with 
I  great  a  benefaction  to  the  human  race.  Dr.  Mort<m  is  to  be  left  unable  to 
ve  to  his  children  the  paternal  acres  pledged  in  securing  it;  unable  to  edu- 
<         ills  children,  without  any  adequate  means  of  support,  and,  worse  than  all, 
i1b4  unable  to  secure  for  himself  that  quiet  mode  of  life  demanded  by  the  mined 
rtl  health  consequent  upon  his  hazardous  experiments,  and  upon  living  in  an  atmos- 
phere of  ether  for  so  many  months,  and  upon  the  labors  and  sufferings  which  he 
underwent  in  detecting  and  establishing  the  anaesthetic  properties  of  the  sul- 
]>liuric  ether?     These  appellants,  therefore,  now  appeal  directly  to  the  heart  of 
'     r     :,  ,  V,  which  rarely  fails  to  disprove  the  heartless  maxim  that  "republics 
tub"  and  which  will  never  suffer  a  state  of  thhigs  so  discreditable  as 
iflthat  which  we  have  brirllv  ^i.  n'.  ;.  '  !   ■   ^  to  last. 

i  ni^      It  is  true  that  this  mo'i  to  consummate  a  simple  act  of  justice 

in  laborious  and  tedious.  The  p^c^eMt  success  of  the  movement  shows,  how- 
(  ver,  that  that  is  the  only  great  objection,  and  that  individuals  and  institutions, 
and  the  country  at  hirge,  are  ready  and  anxious  to  discharge  their  obligations. 
The  "ether  controversy"  has  had  the  one  good  effect  of  waking  up  the  public 
to  the  existence  of  those  oM  The  sum  recjuired  to  accomplish  the 

i  reimbursement  and  effect  the  ...  ^.li  of  the  appelhints  is,  as  we  have  said*  a 
large  one,  and  its  collection  by  indi\idual  contributions,  over  an  extent  of  country 
.-o  vast  as  ours,  is  one  of  time;  but  it  will  derive  an  additional  value  as  coming 
directly  from  the  people,  and  the  zeal  and  energy'  with  which  it  has  been  entered 
■upon  by  the  pn*  ^  n  in  this  city  and  elsewhere  is  the  best  augury  of  success. 
MiMay  it  soon  be  le  for  one  of  the  greatest  benefactors  of  the  human  race 

'who  has  appeared  m  this  century  to  say,  "It  were  better  for  me,  infinitely  bettei 

o  See  "  Trials  of  a  Public  Benefabtor." 
1  Rep.  Com.  89 5 


6i6  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

for  me  and  my  wife  and  children,  better  for  me  and  them  in  all  respects,  if  I  had 
buried  the  secret  of  the  victory  over  pain  in  my  breast  forever,  and  suffered 
centuries  to  elapse  before  it  came  forth  to  the  knowledge  of  the  world  by  some 
other  hand,  than  to  do  as  I  did,  hasten  to  make  it  known  by  all  forms  and  modes 
of  speech,  and  at  every  risk  of  health,  property,  and  even  life." 

PROCEEDINGS  OF  HOSPITALS. 

Massachusetts  General  Hospital. 

The  undersigned,  to  whom  a  proposition  of  the  trustees  of  this  hospital 
should  contribute  a  fund  to  be  established  for  the  benefit  of  Doctor  Morton  waa 
referred,  report: 

That  Doctor  Morton  is  known  to  have  been  chiefly  instrumental  in  conferring 
a  great  good  upon  his  race ; 

That  his  agency  in  a  discoveiy  which  has  already  relieved  multitudes  from 
suffering  has  yielded  to  him  no  pecuniary  compensation  for  its  acknowledged 
benefits,  but  has,  on  the  contrary,  been  attended  by  many  sacrifices ; 

That  his  only  rewards  have  been  the  consciousness  of  a  great  service  ren- 
dered, and  a  title  to  fame ; 

That  the  government  of  the  countiy  has  omitted  to  provide  a  proper  reward ; 

That  justice  entitles  him  to  remuneration,  and  that  the  only  mode  in  which 
it  seems  to  be  probable  that  the  means  of  doing  that  justice  can  be  furnished  is 
through  voluntary  contributions  from  the  philanthropic,  in  some  such  form  as  is 
now  suggested. 

Therefore,  your  committee  think  that  the  object  is  proper,  and  that  its  early 
attainment  is  to  be  desired;  so  that  the  only  question  is  whether  the  trustees 
may  properly  contribute  of  the  funds  of  this  institution  for  its  promotion. 

No  ordinary  circumstance  would  justify  the  trustees,  should  they  apply  any 
portion  of  the  funds  under  their  control  to  any  object  other  than  the  direct  relief 
of  the  sick  under  their  care. 

But  the  relations  between  Doctor  Morton  and  this  hospital,  in  regard  to  the'  ^ 
great  discovery  which  prompts  the  proposed  memorial,  are  peculiar. 

The  first  important  surgical  operation  to  which  that  discovery  was  applied 
was  performed  within  its  walls  at  his  instance. 

At  a  time  when  he  supposed  that  his  agency  in  it  would  be  pecuniarily  re 
warded  by  those  who  should  derive  benefits  from  it,  he  conferred  upon  thif 
hospital  the  right  to  profit  by  it  in  all  cases  without  any  charge. 

We  have  been  and  shall  continue  to  be  benefited  by  it,  to  an  extent  whicl: 
no  reasonable  amount  of  money  could  compensate  for. 

Doctor  Morton,  and  his  friends  think  that  the  refusal  of  the  trustees  of  th<|*P! 
•Massachusetts  General  Hospital  to  subscribe  to  the  contemplated  fund  wouh 
prevent  its  foundation.     In  view  of  all  the  circumstances,  your  committee  thinl 
that  apprehension  well  founded.  Iff 

When  individuals  have  made  bequests,  or  rendered  remarkable  services  to  th<  ''^• 
institution,  the  trustees  have  deemed  it  proper  to  expend  such  sums  as  may  hav 
been  required  to  procure  appropriate  memorials  of  them,  to  be  preserved  withi:' 
the  walls  of  the  hospital;  and  your  committee  think  that  the  propriety  of  a  sul 
scription  toward  the  fund  which  it  is  now  proposed  to  establish  for  the  benef  **' 
of  Doctor  Morton  would  rest  safely  on  the  grounds  which  have  been  found  sui  ^] 
flcient  in  such  cases. 

They  therefore  recommend  that  the  subjoined  vote  be  passed. 

J.  THOMAS  STEVENSON, 
JOHN  LOWELL, 

Committee 

Boston,  February  22, 1857.  J» 


\ 


DR.   WM.   T.   O.   MORTON.  W 

Votrtl.  Tli.it  the  chAirman  of  tins  bonnl  be  n  qiiopted  to  gnbscribe,  on  I  t 

the  M;i  tt8  (icnornl  IlosniUil,  one  thousand  d/ilJars  toward  the  fund  which 

it  is  j»i..j.  .  , ..  ;,.  (StaMish  for  the  Ix  ncfit  of  Doctor  "\V.  T.  (J.  Morton,  4W  a  ino- 
monal  of  tho  j^roat  service  wliith  tliat  j^ontU'man  has  rendered  to  Hcience  and  to 
liunianity,  in  f<nnioxiou  with  the  discovery  of  the  U!»C8  of  ether. 

Tmsfefs. —  Ilciirv  lMvo«;»  rs,  Jolin  JMJijrelow,  James  B.  Bradhe,  William  S. 
Bullord,  William  X.  Dale,  William  W.  ('<  li,  Thomas  I^mb.  .Tohn  Low«dl, 

Bobert  M.  Mason,  Charles  H.Mills,  J    Ti  veuson,  Edward  W'igf^Icswortb. 

Massachusetts  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary. 

\  ufcd,  1  hat  the  secretary  of  thig  board  bf»  authorized  to  subscribe,  on  behalf  of 
the  Massachusetts  Charitable  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary,  firo  hundred  dollars 
'     '      ]  the  fund  to  b.  '  for  the  benefit  of  Doctor   W.  T.  O.  ^lort 

'    .  I i'ion  of  tlie  p^t  ( overy  of  modem  times,  and  an  .acknowl. 

o4"  the  great  service  which  that  frentleman  has  rendered  to  science  and  humanity 
by  the  discovery  of  the  uses  of  ether. 

Trustees. — .T.  II.  Walcott,  J.  W.  Edmands,  Henry  Rice,  Doctor  E.  Reynolds, 
<T.  H.  Shaw,  C  H.  Mills,  R.  W.  Hooper,  Moses  Grant,  James  Lawrence,  Doctor 
-    D.  Townscnd,  J.  A.  Blanchard. 

THEODORE  FROTHINGHAM, 

Secretary. 

^  I  Kew   Yark  Hospital. 

( iBOROE  T.  Trimble,  Esq.,  President  of  the  Board  of  Governors  of  the  New 

iYork  Hospital: 
"Sir:  The  members  of  the  medical  profession  of  New  York  have  made  an 
peal  in  behalf  of  Dr.  Wm.  T.  G.  Morton,  of  Boston,  who  was  the  first  to 
uiscover  and  demonstrate  by  experiment  the  power  of  sulphuric  ether  to  render 
the  human  economy  insensible  to  pain  under  surgical  operations. 

"The  object  of  this  appeal  is  to  raise,  by  voluntary  contributions,  a  fund,  as 
1  national  testimonial  for  his  benefit,  such  as  shall  be  a  worthy  acknowledg- 
'  lit  of  the  priceless  value  of  a  discovery  which  has  already  done  and  is 
•ustantly  doing  so  much  to  diminish  human  suffering. 

"  Boston,  the  scene  of  Dr.  Morton's  labors,  has  taken  the  initiation  in  thii 
;A  3ffort,  and  has  made  a  noble  beginning. 

"It  is  believed  that  the  action  of  tlic  New  York  Hospital  in  reference  to  this 

X|  ippeal  will  exert  an  important  influence  on  other  kindred  institutions  in  this 

noli  ^^y  *^^  elsewhere,  and  it  is  therefore  earnestly  hoped  that  the  object  will  be 

M-of^rded  with  favor  by  the  board  of  governors.     Nowhere  in  our  whole  land 

I   the  benefits  of  this  discovery  more  constantly  witnessed  than  in  the  New 

I  ork  Hospital,  and  there  seems  to  be  special  propriety  in  such  an  institution 

icting  a  conspicuous  part  in  acknowledging  our  common  indebtedness  to  the 

lificoverer  of  such  a  boon  to  sufiering  humanity. 

'  Having  been  delegated  to  present  this  object  to  your  board,  I  beg  leave, 
»Ir.  President,  through  you,  to  submit  this  communication,  with  the  accom- 
^  >auying  appeal,  to  that  honorable  body  for  consideration  at  their  next  meeting. 
"I  have  the  honor  to  remain,  very  respectfully,  your  o'bt  serv't, 

"GURDON  BUCK,  M.D. 
"New  York,  July  3,  1853." 

The  subject  being  thus  fairly  laid  before  the  custodians  of  the  institutions  of 
Tew  York,  the  Society  of  the  New  York  Hospital,  a  close  corporation,  goveraed 


68  DR.   WM.   T.   G    MORTON. 

by  the  gentlemen  named  in  the  note  appended,*  immediately  voted  that  their 
president,  Hon.  George  T.  Trimble,  subscribe  five  hundred  dollars  to  the  pro- 
posed fund. 

Commissioners  of  Emigration^  of  the  State  of  New   YorJc. 

The  commissioners  of  emigration,  composed  of  the  gentlemen  named  it 
the  annexed  note,t  passed  the  following  resolution : 

^'Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  great  benefits  derived  by  the  institutions 
and  patients  ander  the  charge  of  the  commissioners  of  emigration,  by  the  use 
of  sulphuric  ether,  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars  be  donated  to 
Dr.  Wm.  T.  Gr.  Morton,  the  discoverer  thereof,  as  a  consideration  of  the  feelmg 
of  the  board,  with  an  expression  of  regret  that  the  present  state  of  the  funds 
under  their  charge  would  not  permit  the  commissioners  to  show  a  more 
substantial  appreciation  of  the  great  importance  of  the  discovery." 

Bellevuc  Hospital. 

The  governors  of  the  almshouse  referred  the  subject  to  the  committee  on 
Bellevuc  Hospital  to  report.  While  considering  the  subject,  the  committee 
received  from  Stephen  Smith,  M.  D.,  secretary,  the  follow^  ;!;;  iesolution,  unani- 
mously adopted  by  the  medical  board  of  Bellevue  Hospital : 

*' Resolved,  That  the  medical  board  of  Bellevue  Hospital  vlieerfnlly  express 
their  conviction  that  to  the  zeal,  perseverance,  and  skill  of  Dr.  Wm.  T.  Green 
Morton,  of  Boston,  in  using  sulphuric  ether  to  render  persons  insensible  to 
pain,  the  world  is  indebted  for  the  present  extended  and  beneficial  use  of 
anaesthetic  agents  in  the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery ;  and  they  are  ecu- 1 
vinced  that  but  for  his  energy,  courage,^  and  success,  there  is  no  reason  toj 
believe  that  mankind  would  yet  have  received  that  boon  from  any  of  the 
gentlemen  whose  names  have  been  prominently  connected  with  this  subject. 

"JOHN  W.  FRANCIS,  M.  D., 

"  President  Medical  Board. 

"  Stephen  Smith,  M.  D.,  Secretary." 

Beferred  to  committee  on  Bellevue  Hospital. 

On  the  fourth  of  August  the  committee  to  whom  the  subject  was  referred 
reported  in  favor  of  appropriating  the  sum  of  $1,500. 

On  September  14  the  following  preamble  and  resolution,  appropriating 
fifteen  hundred  dollars,  was  adopted : 

**R€solved,  That  this  board  view  with  high  appreciation  the  initiatory  steps 
taken  by  the  medical  faculty  of  the  cities  of  Boston  and  New  York  tc 
acknowledge,  in  a  substantial  manner,  the  discovery  and  appliances  of  sulphuric 
ether  by  Dr.  AVm.  T.  G.  Morton  ;  and  believing  the  same  to  be,  as  cxpressec 
and  set  forth  in  their  testimonials,  the  greatest  benefit  of  the  present  ag( 
rendered  to  science  and  humanity,  deem  it  our  duty,  in  consideration  thereof 


o  George  T.  Trimble,  Najah  Taylor,  GuHan  C.  Verplanck,  James  F.  DePcyster,  John  A 
Stevens,  James  I.  Jones,  Stacy  B.  Collins,  George  F.  Hussey,  Edwin  D.  Morgan,  Davi( 
Golden  Murray,  Robert  Lenox  Kennedy,  John  David  Wolfe,  George  F.  Jones,  Josepl 
Walker,  Thomas  Hall  Foile,  Thomas  B  Stilhnan,  James  N.  Cobb,  George  T.  Olyphant 
John  C.  Green,  David  Clarkson,  Abram  S.  Hewitt,  Frederick  A.  Conkling,  Nathaniel  I 
Bailey,  Otis  D.  Swan,  Henry  L.  Pierson,  James  W.  Bcekman. 

f  Guliaa  C.  Yerplanck,  pres'l;  E.  Crabtree,  vice-pres't;  B.  Casserly,  sec'y;    F.    D.    Moi  "^ 
gan,  Wilson  G.  H\mt,  Elijah  F.  Purdy,  John  P.  Gumming,  Cyrus  Curtis,  Mayor  of  Nei 
York,  Mayor  of  Brooklyn,  President  of  the  German  Society,  President  of  the  Irish  Emi 
grant  Society. 


DR.   WM.   T.   O.   MORTON.  69 

and  of  tho  many  uses  to  which  the  pame  has  hcen  applied  in  the  institutions 
under  our  charjco,  to  unqualiHtdly  indorse  the  Bamc. 

**Ajid  he  it  further  n-wlrcd,  Tliat  the  sum  of  fifteen  hundred  dollars  be,  and 
the  same  \i<  hereby,  appropriated  as  compensation  for  tlio  use  of  i*ulphuric  etlier 
in  the  hospital  undrr  our  charge,  and  the  Fame  be  taken  from  the  unex])ended 
appropriation  of  Bellevue  Hospital." 

The  president  of  tho  board  of  ten  governors  immediately  made  the  «ub- 
scription  to  the  proposed  fund. 

CORRBSPONDBNCE. 


During  the  l.i.-t  .-iimmer  tho  governor  of  Massachusetts,  N.  P.  Banks,  late 
Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  wrote  to  his  excellency  the  governor 
of  New  York  that  "a  national  subi*cription,  intended  as  an  acknowledgment  of 
his  (Dr.  Morton'.'^)  great  public  service  in  the  discovery,  and  introduction  to 
common  use,  of  thi.s  important  power,  (sulphuric  ether,)  has  been  commenced 
here  under  the  auspices  of  gentlemen  of  the  highest  professional  standing,  who 
were  ihemselves  witnesses  of  the    •  ps  through  which  this  discovery 

was  made.     Theyaremen  whose  n.n  laguarantee  that  their  statements 

may  be  relied  upon,  and  uo  words  of  mine  can  aid  in  giving  their  opinion  strength. 
In  addition  to  thai  of  merchants  and  professional  men  of  the  first  eminence,  you 
V.  ill  find  hi  the  pul)lication  made  by  the  trustees  of  the  fund  to  be  raised  a 
;  linon  to  the  President,  signed  by  a  ma  jority  of  the  members  of  the  thirty -third 
-ss,  which  is,  I  think,  to  be  regarded  as  an  evidence  of  the  very  general 
e.-^iiniate  which  was  made  of  the  claims  of  Dj.  Morton  upon  the  government  and 
the  public. 

"The  subscription  has  been  liberally  commenced  in  Boston,  but  it  is  thought 
that  other  cities  that  have  been  benefit(^d  by,  the  discovery  should  participate  in 
the  recognition  of  the  merits  of  the  discoverer,  and  in  making  him  appropriate 
honors.  I  hope  that  other  cities  may  imitate  the  example  of  Boston  in  this  re- 
spect, and  contribute  something  to  aid  and,  1  may  say,  relieve  one  who  is  cer- 
tainly deserving  of  great  credit,  and  who  has  as  yet  received  uo  advantage  from 
his  discovery." 

Dr.  James  Jackson  wrote  to  George  Ripley,  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Ameri- 

in  Cyclopedia  :  "To  him  (Dr.  Morton)  the  world  owes  at  least  the  introduction 

I  lor  useful  purpfjses  of  sulphuric  ether,  by  employment  of  which,  by  inhalation, 

^^  hQ  proved  that  insensibility  might  be  produced  in  a  human  subject  with  safety, 

ind  be  maintained  during  powerful  surgical  operations.     It  is  imw  more  than 

Itiven  years  siucc  he  made  this  discovery  known.     At  the  present  day  the  bcn- 

lit  of  it  is  known  throughout  the  civilized  portion  of  the  world.     Ever}'  day 

lie  persons  who  use  the  article  must  be  counted  by  thousa«j<ls.      If  the  knowl- 

'      fit  could  be  lost  millions  and  millions  of  dollars  could  1"  •  »r  the  re- 

./  of  it.     Every  man  is  liable  to  the  misfortunes  which  w-  ,^.'  the  use 

)f  it  invaluable  to  him. 

•*  Is  not  sonuthing  due  to  the  gentleman  who  introduced  the  use  of  ether  fo^ 
:lic  use  of  the  pres<'nt  aud  all  future  generations  of  men  I  Shall  it  be  ret'orded 
ill  history  that  he  lived  on  a  very  small  income  while  millions  were  blessing  hifl 
discover}'?  Should  he  not  be  paid  in  some  subsUmtial  manner?  As  1  uuder- 
stand  the  matter,  his  business  has  been  destroyed,  strange  to  say,  and  he  nccda 
lid-  May  I  ask  you  to  make  his  case  known  in  New  York,  in  the  hope  that 
he  may  receive  the  evidence  of  such  gratitude  as  is  due  to  him?" 

Dr.  Jacob  Bigt  low,  president  of  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  wrote  to 
Or.  Parker,  that,  "  1  hope  the  community  who  are  daily  deriving  the  benefit  of 
Ms  (Dr.  Morton'.s)  inestimable  discovery  will  not  be  insensible  to  the  debt  they 


70  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

owe  him.     He  is  the  only  man  without  whom  the  world  would  at  this  day  have 
wanted  the  blessing  of  anoesthetic  inhalation." 

Dr.  O.  W.  Holmes  wrote  to  Willard  Parker,  M.  D.  t  *'  It  gives  me  great 
pleasure  to  add  my  name  to  that  of  my  friends  who  have  recommended  the  claims 
of  Dr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton  to  your  favorable  notice. 

**  A  surgeon  in  great  business  like  yourself  must  know  well  what  we  owe  to 
the  discoverer  of  the  use  of  ether  in  surgery.  The  part  Dr.  Morton  took  in  that 
is  matter  of  history,  and  I  cannot  but  think  you  will  agree  with  us  in  believing 
that  but  for  his  happy  audacity  we  should  have  waited  an  indefinite  period  for 
the  discovery. 

"  I  write  this  time,  therefore,  to  request  your  kind  consideration  of  the  sub- 
ject that  will  be  presented  to  your  notice,  not  professing  to  have  any  personal 
claim  upon  your  valuable  time,  but  considering  that  your  position  entitles  you 
to  the  honor  of  being  among  the  foremost  in  every  movement  involving  the  in- 
terest of  science  and  humanity." 

Dr.  John  JefPries  wrote  to  Willard  Parker,  M.  D, :  "  Of  the  justice  to  his 
(Dr.  Morton's)  claim,  as  the  person  by  whom  this  great  benefaction  was  con- 
ferred on  the  medical  profession,  and  upou  mankind,  I  entertain  no  doubt ;  and 
consequently,  of  the  weight  of  obligations  which  physicians  and  societies  at  large 
are  under  to  him  for  this  benefit.  A  public  benefaction  has  been  set  on  foot  for 
Dr.  Morton,  who  is  himself  poor,  and  made  so,  in  some  measure,  in  consequence 
of  his  agency  in  providing  a  blessing  for  mankind.  It  has  my  full  approbation 
and  best  wishes  for  its  success.  I  would  also  express  my  confidence  in  the  plan 
and  details  by  which  it  was  carried  out,  arising  from  the  high  character  for  in- 
telligence and  integrity  of  gentlemen  under  whose  auspices  it  is  to  be  conducted. 
Whatever  you  may  please  to  do  to  a?d  will  be  on  the  side  of  justice  and  humanity." 

Dr.  S.  D.  Townsend,  one  of  the  surgeons  of  Massachusetts  General  Hospital, 
wrote  to  Willard  Parker,  M.  D. :  "Having  beeii  conversant  with  the  use  of  ether 
from  the  first  day  of  its  introduction,  I  have  always  given  to  Dr.  IMorton  the 
credit  of  being  the  author  of  its  exfbnsive  employment  into  our  profession.  The 
object  of  this  movement  is  to  obtairi  subscriptions  to  a  fund,  to  be  placed  in  the 
hands  of  trustees  for  his  (Dr.  Morton's)  benefit,  which  is  to  be  raised  from  differ- 
ent hospitals  in  the  country  that  have  been  so  greatly  benefited  by  its  use.  Dr. 
Morton's  pecuniary  circumstances  have  been  greatly  reduced  by  the  exclusive 
attentions  he  has  paid  to  this  object,  having  entirely  broken  up  the  business 
which  he  was  extensively  engaged  in,  and  he  needs  the  aid  of  all  professional 
men  who  have  been  so  greatly  benefited  by  this  discovery.  I  am  sure  I  can 
rely  upon  you  to  give  it  all  the  assistance  which  your  prominent  situation  can 
afford  him." 

Nathaniel  I.  Bowditch,  esq.,  in  a  letter  to  Amos  A.  Lawrence  and  John 
Lowell,  trustees  of  the  Morton  fund,  says:  "Circumstances,  as  you  are  aware, 
made  me  originally  take  great  interest  in  the  ether  discovery.  In  the  hospital 
report,  and  a  pamphlet  in  vindication  of  it,  I  have  expressed  as  forcibly  as  in 
my  power  my  conviction  that  it  is  to  the  boldness,  energy,  and  perseverance  of 
Dr.  Morton  that  the  world  owes  the  demonstration  of  this  great  truth  of  science. 
I  have  never  seen  the  slightest  reason  for  doubting  the  accuracy  of  the  conclu- 
sion at  which  I  first  arrived.  It  happens  that  in  ray  own  ])erson  I  have  already 
had  occasion  to  be  especially  thankful  for  this  blessing,  lather  has  been  admin- 
istered to  me  no  less  than  seven  times,  and  on  each  occasion  has  saved  me  from 
great  suffering.  I  consider  Dr.  Morton,  indeed,  to  be  one  of  my  permanent  at- 
tendant physicians,  and  one  the  value  of  whose  i)rescription  cannot  be  estimated 
in  money  or  expressed  in  words.  I  have  therefore  cheerfully  subscribed  8500 
on  the  book  which  you  sent  mc." 

Thomas  B.  Curtis,  esq.,  of  Boston,  in  a  letter  to  William  E.  Bowen,  esq.,  of 
Phila(l(l[)hia:  "  Dr.  Morton  first  made  known  to  the  world  the  blessed  effects  of 
ether  in  doing  away  with  pain.     Instead  of  riches  and  honor,  he  has  reaped 


'Jit 


DR.   WM.   T.   O.    MORTON.  71 

nothing  from  hia  ^rreat  discovery.  Our  government  biiB  chontcd  liim,  but  they 
have  not ''  nost  eminent  a urgeone  In  America, 

and  the  .-\  ." 

Dr.  William  11.  \  an  Kuivu,  «•:  '  il,  in  a  letter  to  PiofcHfor 

Neili,  of  I'hiladflpliia  :  "lien*  tli«  tice  in  thcr  right  (|nart<  r, 

that  i.H,  anion^^  thi*  pridcrJii^ion,  and  1  ihiiilv  on  llu-  broad  ground  of  liiiiuanity  Dr. 
Morton  han  a  right  to  our  support.  His  misfortunes  entitle  him  lo  our  regard 
above  all  other  considerations." 

Dr.  Fordycc  Barker,  of  the  Bcllcvuc  IIo?pital,  New  York,  in  u  letter  to  Dr. 
Edward  liartshornc,  of  rhiladelphia  :  "  The  profession  in  this  city  and  in  Boston 
have  with  great  uiuuiimity  made  an  effort  to  induce  the  people  to  bestow  upon 
Dr.  Morton  some  reward  proportioned  to  the  value  of  his  discovery,  aud  it  is 
hoped  that  our  brethren  in  P'   '    '  'i  hia  will  join  heartily  in  the  endeavor." 

Dr.  George  T.  Eliot,  of  tl  \ut  Hospital,  New  York,  in  a  letter  to  Dr. 

Biddle,  of  rhiladelphia:  "  1  smcerely  think  that  Dr.  Morton  ought  to  be  placed 
above  the  n♦•ces^:ity  for  labor  during  his  life,  and  that  it  is  a  reproach  to  the 
I  ^  niment  did  not  behave  differently.     The  feeling  of 

ti      ,  I  .  V  Mr  of  the  testimonial  in  his  behalf." 

Dr.  iiatcheldor,  president  of  the  Academy  of  Medicine,  New  York,  in  a  letter 
to  Profesor  ^leigs,  of  Philadelphia:  "Dr.  William  T.  G.  Morton,  the  discoverer 
of  auffisthoeia,  now  so  universally  employed  iu  the  alleviation  of  human  suffei;- 
iug,  in  perfecting  his  discovery  and  in  introducing  it  to  the  ^yorld,  has  miidc 
great  sacrifices,  and  it  is  no  more  than  just  that  lie  should  reap  some  reward, 
small  though  it  may  be  in  comparison  to  the  vast  benefits  which  he  has  confeiTod 
upon  fuft'ering  humanity.  The  aj)j)eal  to  the  justice  and  liberality  of  our  fellow- 
e'  '  '       '  '    "  '  il  by  the  protession  in  tliis  city,  and  T  have  no 

tl  ill  your  city."  ' 

Dr.  .Juliu  H.  (iii.-Lwm,  of  the  >.(  w  York  Hospital,  in  a  letter  to  Prof.  George 
B.  Woof],  of  Philad'-lphia:  "The  r.iedical  profession  of  Boston  and  in  New  Y^rk 
1  .1  great  iir  now  in  progress  to  obtain  from  the  j 

a  uial  of  a  ^  >  r  iu  favor  of  Dr.  Morton,  whose  sacri 

means,  time,  and  health  in  his  devotion  to  the  perfecting  of  this  most  ex- 
traordinary discovery,  render  some  pecuniary  return  essential.  We  regard  this 
as  a  truly  national  matter,  to  which  the  profession  of  the  whole  countr)-  should 
lend  their  aid." 

Dr.  Isaac  Wood,  of  the  Bellcvuc  Hospital,  New  York,  in  a  letter  to  Prof. 
George  B.  Wood,  of  Philadelphia:  "At  a  meeting  of  our  medical  board,  held 
last  evening  at  my  house,  a  resolution  was  unanimously  passed,  to  recommend 
the  testimonial  to  Dr.  iMorton  to  the  favorable  notice  of  the  board  of  ten  gov- 
eniors  of  the  Bellevne  Hospital." 

Prof.  Valentim?  Mott,  of  New  York,  in  a  letter  to  Prof.  T'  of  Phila- 

delphia: "The  profession  here  generally  award  to  Dr.  Mortoi,  lorofthia 

great  discovery.  We  have  been  doing,  for  the  testimonial  to  him,  a  little  in 
tljis  city." 

Dr.  John  W.  Francis,  of  New  York,  hi  a  letter  to  Prof.  Samuel  Jackson,  of 
Philadelphia:  "iSomethii^,  our  entire  faculty  have  detennined,  must  be  done 
for  Dr.  Morton  as  a  great  benefactor  to  humanity.  In  New  York  we  are  not 
idle.     Our  Bellevue  Hospital,  1  believe,  will  make  a  liberal  donation." 

Dr.  F.  JI.  Markoe,  of  t^c  New  York  Hospital,  in  a  letter  to  Dr.  Franklin 
Bache,  of  Philadelphia:  "W^e  have  been  much  interested  in  the  matter  of  the 
testimonial  to  Dr.  Morton,  and  feel  the  conviction  that  not  only  he  is  entitled 
to  the  credit  of  the  discovery  of  thi.-<  great  practical  use  of  ether,  but  that  the 
country  owe  him  a  debt  of  gratitude  which  ought  to  take  some  tangible  and 
availalile  form." 

Prof.  Alfred  C.  Post,  of, New  York,  in  a  letter  to  Prof.  S.  D.  Gross,  of 
Philadelphia:  "I  hope  the  profession,  of  your  city,  will  take  an  interest  in 


72  DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 

obtaining  from  the  community  some  substantial  acknowledgment  of  the  great 
services  which  Dr.  Morton  has  rendered  to  science  and  humanity. 

"  I  think,  from  the  investigations  which  I  have  made,  that  there  is  no  reason 
to  doubt  that  he  is  entitled  to  the  exclusive  merit  of  introducing  the  valuable 
discovery  which  he  claims  to  have  m.ade,  and  that  the  efforts  which  have  been 
made  by  others  to  deprive  him  of  his  claim  have  been  characterized  by  gross 
injustice." 

Dr.  B.  W.  McCready,  of  the  Bellevue  Hospital,  New  York,  in  a  letter  to  Dr. 
W.  H.  Gobrecht,  of  Philadelphia :  "  It  has  been  deemed  just,  by  the  leading 
medical  men  of  Boston  and  New  York,  that  Dr.  Morton  should  realize  some- 
thing more  from  his  discovery  than  ban-en  honors,  to  which  he  has  to  support 
his  claims  at  his  own  expense." 

Prof  Willard  Parker,  of  New  York,  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Allsop :  "  Dr.  Morton 
has  laid  the  civilized  world  under  an  infinite  obligation,  and  exhausted  his 
means  by  so  doing.  I  am  desirious  that  some  return  should  be  made,  and  he 
be  relieved  from  his  condition  of  want.  In  this 'city  a  movement  is  being  made 
in  furtherance  of  this  object." 

Dr.  John  Watson,  of  the  New  York  Hospital,  in  a  letter  to  John  A.  Stevens, 
esq. :  "As  our  national  government  is  not  likely  to  remunerate  Dr.  Morton  for 
the  trouble  and  expense,  not  to  speak  of  loss  of  business,  to  which  he  has  been 
subjected,  American  people  should  take  his  sacrifices  into  serious  consideration, 
and  show  by  their  own  liberality  that  what  the  government  cannot  do,  the 
people  are  not  willing  to  leave  undone." 

Subscriptions  that  head  the   Boston  and  New  York  contributions. 

Board  of  ten  governors  for  the  city  of  New  York,  $1,500 ;  Massachusetts 
General  Hospital,  $1,000  ;  Amos  A.  Lawrence,  $1,000  ;  John  P.  Gushing,  $500  ; 
the  Society  of  the  New  York  Hospital,  $500  ;  the  Commissioners  of  Emigration 
of  the  State  of  New  York,  $250 ;  James  Brown,  $500 ;  John  David  Wolf, 
$250;  Peter  Lorillard,  $250;  James  Lenox,  $250;  Benjamin  L.  Swan,  $100; 
George  T.  Trimble,  $100;  Robert  B.  Minturn,  $100 ;  John  C.  Green,  $100; 
Joseph  Sampson,  $100;  James  Donaldson,  SI 00;  Henry  Chauncey,  $100; 
Charles  A.  Davis,  $100 ;  James  Boorman,  $100 ;  George  Griswold,  $100 ; 
Morris  Ketchum,  $150;  Robert  Ray,  $100;  E.  D.  Morgan  &  Co.,  $100;  Jo- 
siah  Macy  &  Sons,  $100  ;  Jonathan  Thorn,  $100;  John  Gardner,  $200;  Mas- 
sachusetts Charitable  Eye  and  Ear  Infirmary,  $200 ;  Thomas  B.  Curtis,  $100  ; 
Nathaniel  I.  Bowditch,  $600;  Charles  H.  Mills,  $100;  John  J.  May,  $100; 
David  Sears,  $100;  Edward  Wigglesworth,  $100;  James  Bowden  Bradlee, 
$100;  Josiah  Bradlee,  $100;  James  Lawrence,  $100;  John  A.  LoAvell,  $100; 
Thomas  Lee,  $100;  J.M.Forbes,  $100;  Benjamin  H.  Field,  $100;  Charles 
C.  Goodhue,  $100;  S.  L.  Snarez,  $100;  William  E.  Wilmardiug,  $100;  Loril- 
lard Spencer,  $100;  Catharine  L.  Spencer,  $100  ;  Augustus  Belmont,  $100; 
Armstrong  &  Son,  $100;  John  Bridge,  $100;  B.  M.  Whitlock,  $100;  William 
B.  Astor,  $100;  Charles  H.  Marshall,  $100;  II.  B.  Claflin,  $100;  J.  B.  &  W. 
W.  Connel,  $100;  Gardner  Brewer,  $100;  Frederick  Tudor,  $100 ;  Pierce  & 
Bacon,  $150. 


But  fourteen  years  passed  away  and  the  United  States  had  done  nothing  to 
reward  the  discoverer.  Tlie  patent  granted  to  him  expired — it  had  produced 
only  annoyance  and  expense ;  but  disheartened  by  the  repeated  failures  of  his 
applications  for  relief,  he  applied  for  its  extension,  which  was  refused  on  techni- 
cal grounds.  The  United  States  has  used  and  continues  to  nse  the  discovery 
in  surgical  operations,  sometines  to  the  number  of  a  thousand  in  a  day.  It  has 
the  entire  approval  of  the  medical  departments  of  army   and  navy,   greatly 


DR.   WM.   T.   O.    MORTOli.  78 

'  '       '1  in  most  '  'ia'ly  ro- 

^  :ions.     ]\  atj  the 

.  riMcl,  tli<  iinrcwanleil,  juid  the  patcut 

n-  liini  ill'  n,  wliich  would  have  been 

»ct(Mi   and  which  would   have  made  hia  fortune  had  it  been  a  new  and 

iMe  improvement  in  making  tcashhoards  or  buttons,  has  been  used  by  tlio 

od  States  without  respect  to  his  rights,  and  as  by  the  government  so  under 

t  of  \\i>  example  by  the  people.     In  the  recent  terrible  disaster  of  our  army 

redericksburg  Dr.  !iIorton  himself  adniiuistered  his  ever  potent  nepcTithe 

;:  a  single  failure  to  hundreds  of  wounded  nun  brought  under  the  probe 

ife.     A  view  of  its  benefits  and  effects  by  the  head  of  the  medical  depart- 

of  the  army  of  the  Unit-  '    ^  H  bo  presently  introduced,  showing 

it  has  lost  none  of  its  vah;  I  nothing  in  public  estimation  by 

and  trials  whicli  wear  out  and  cousume  the  disco vorer,  do  but  add  fresh 

iph-  to  thp  disco veiy. 

lirector  of  the  ninth  army  corps,  second  division,  Dr.  Alexander 

3r.  Morton  reported  himself  to  my  field  hospital  after  the  horrible  battle  at 
ericksburg,  and  I  gave  the  fullest  scope  in  my  hospital  to  ether  versus  chlo- 
m,  and  from  the  sadly  ample  opportunity  for  testing  both,  I  am  an  etherist. 

T'       •  • 1 -in-chief,  Dr.  Calvin  Cutter,  of  Stuigis  field  hospital,  and  his 

!  )rs.  Iveonard,  Hassock,  and  Webster,  in  a  communication  to  Dr. 

on  miia.diaicly  after  the  battle  at  Fredericksburg,  state  that  they  could  not 

performed  so  many  needful  operations  and  so  well  without  anaesthetics. 

r  use  not  only  entirely  prevented  or  greatly  mitigated  the  sufferings  of  the 

nts,  but  it  very  materially  lessened  the  embarrasriment  of  the  operating 

•1. 

deemed  the  success  good — no  patient  died  during  the  operation  or  im- 

ly  subsequent  from  shock  of  operation. 

unit  us  to  return  thanks  for  the  administration  of  anaisthetica  to  the  pa- 
i  by  yourself.     It  was  essential  aid  to  our  surgeons." 

le  plain  proposition  should  at  lea<"*t  be  borne  in  mind,  and  honestly  responded 
Dr.  Morton  was  the  patentee.  The  United  States  has  used  it  with  advan- 
which  cannot  be  estimated,  even  counting  by  millions.  What  answer  cjm  be 
1  wh»  n  the  patentee  claims  a  moderate  and  rea.sonablc  compensation,  enough 
,y  him  fairly  for  his  time,  toil,  and  expense  in  discovering,  perfecting,  and 
ig  it  to  his  country  ?  It  will  not  do  to  f?ay  that  others  claim  the  discovery. 
-;  audit  is  clear,  beyond  controversy,  that  whatever 
and  reasoned  and  hoped  and  suggested,  no  one  but  he 
and  the  world.  Dr.  Morton  alone  brought  it  to  the  attcu- 
iculty  ;  he  lived  and  moved  and  had  his  being  in  the  dis- 
When  it  was  attacked, he  alone  dctrnded  it,  and  he  exhausted  his  health, 
(  ngth,  and  fortune  to  make  it  triuujphant,  and  in  thelangmige  of  the  re- 
the  trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  ♦'  it  is  a  mortifying 
It  Dr.  Morton's  pecuniary  affairs  have  become  embarrassed  in  consequence 
interruption  of  his  regular  business,  resulting  from  his  efforts  and  exi>eri- 
iu  establishing  this  great  truth,  and  that  his  health  has  also  severely  suf- 
;  om  the  same  cause,  so  that  he  can  devote  only  a  small  part  of  each  day 
'  '  :ial  labors.  He  became  poor  in  a  Ciiusc  which  has  made  the 
The  committee  have  the  highest  medical  authority  (that  of 
J  tor  saying  that,  from  living  so  much  of  late  in  an  atmos])here  of 
rom  the  anxiety  attending  the  various  trials  and  experiin-  urs  eon- 
uiih  the  discovery,  and  from  th«'  ex(  1  by  the  con: 

it  has  occasioned,  the  health  of  Dr.  Moi ;  such  that  he  i 

ud  to  his  professional  d  ly  exieni." 

i ate ver  others  may  claim  ;i  him,  or  some  other  possible  person  not 


¥i  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

now  in  conflict  with  him,  the  discovery  would  have  been  yet  with  the  futni 
in  the  womb  of  time.  To  him,  and  to  him  alone,  in  the  opinion  of  your  (( 
mittee,  is  therefore  due  the  reward,  and  it  should  at  last  be  rendered  to 
with  no  grudging  or  stinted  hand;  and  waiving  the  obvious  ground  of  com 
sation  just  considered,  your  committee  entertain  no  doubt  that  Dr.  Morton  ' 
in  the  just  and  practical  sense  of  the  term,  the  sole  and  original  first  discov 
of  the  application  of  sulphuric  ether  as  an  anaesthetic  agent.  They  found  t 
opinion  on  the  evidence,  and  it  is  supported  and  strengthened  by  the  expre 
and  Well-reasoned  opinion  of  the  several  committees  of  Congress  to  whom 
subject  was  successively  referred,  and  especially  by  the  opinion  of  the  mcc 
faculty  of  Boston,  a  most  intelligent  jury  of  the  vicinage,  and  the  faculti(| 
New  York  and  Philadelphia,  who  brought  to  the  question  a  high  and  disii, 
ested  intelligence.  On  the  whole,  no  doubt  as  to  this  is  left  on  the  mind  of  i 
committee,  but  the  evidence  as  to  conflicting  claims  will  be  considered  r 
fully  in  the  sequel 

The  question  of  who  was  the  discoverer  being  thus,  as  the  committee  t]| 
placed  beyond  dispute,  they  tiirn  their  attention  next  to  the  value  of  the  discovi 

It  supplies  a  desideratum  long  sought  by  surgeons  for  the  relief  of  the  ex 
ciating  pain  they  were  necessarily  obliged  to  inflict  in  the  practice  of  their 
fession.     They  had,  as  heretofore  stated,  vainly  attempted  this  relief  by 


a 
use  of  opiates,  extract  of  hemp,  mesmerism,  &c.,  but  none  fulfilled  the  des 
purpose ;  and  their  suggestion  of  the  necessity  to  life  or  limb  of  an  opers 
was  apparently  ever  doomed  to  be  accompanied  with  the  (to  many)  all-abso 
feeling  of  terror  of  the  pain  which  there  was  no  means  of  avoiding.  Drea 
pain  has  not  unfrequently  deterred  from  submission  to  operations  necessarj 
the  preservation  of  life.  In  other  cases,  where  this  dread  was  overcome 
the  operation  performed,  the  severity  of  the  suffering  and  the  shock  to  the 
tern  have  been  large  elements  in  the  production  of  a  fatal  result.  Since  t 
introduction  of  etherization,  both  the  patient  and  surgeon  approach  the  ojj 
tion  with  feelings  entirely  different  from  those  formerly  entertained  under  sin 
circumstances.  The  latter  is  relieved  from  the  necessity  of  witnessing  t 
manifestations  of  pain  which  his  instruments  formerly  produced,  and  to 
become  indifferent  to  which  he  must  be  more  or  less  than  human,  whiki 
former  looks  only  to  the  end  to  be  attained — the  restoration  to  health — t 
being  no  intermediate  pain  to  excite  his  dread  and  fix  his  exclusive  atten 
For  screaming,  and  struggles,  and  intense  suffering  under  the  surgeon's  k 
etherization  has  substituted  more  or  less  complete  exemption  from  pain,  i 
ciated  in  some  with  the  quietude,  mental  and  corporeal,  of  deep  sleep  ;  in  otl 
with  pleasing  dreams,  imaginary  busy  scenes,  and  sweet  music ;  and  in  otl 
with  a  perfect  consciousness  of  surrounding  objects  and  events,  makin 
patient,  perhaps,  not  among  the  least  calm  or  most  anxious  spectators  of 
operation 

And  its  benefits  are  by  no  means  confined  to  surgical   patients  and  sur^, 
practice.     The  obstetrician  finds  in  it  the  means  of  alleviating  that  distress 
which  woman  has  ever  heretofore  been  cursed,  when  in  the  act  of  becomi 
mother.     And  who  would  not  hail  with  delight  any  means  of  ministering 
fort  to  her  who  bears  the  holy  name  of  mother  1  *  To  the  physician  it  afl 
one  of  the  most  useful,  as  it  is  one  of  his  most  prompt,  remedies.     He,  to, 
often  compelled  to  be  the  spectator  of  severe  pain  and  distress,  for  the  all 
tion  of  which  his  before  known  remedies  were  powerless.     lie,  before,  ha( 
reliable  means  of  relieving  the  spasms  of  tetanus ;  he  not  unfrequently  f; 
to  procure  sleep  in  delirium  tremens,  when  the  question  is  one  of  sleep  or  dc 
his  before  palliative  remedy  (opium)  for  the  pain  of  colic,  too  often  purch 
temporary  relief  at  the  expense  of  an  aggravation  of  the  cause  of  the  dis.i 
and  of  increased   difficulties    in  its   cure ;  and  he   occasionally  witnesscdi 
breaking  up  of  the  system  of  a  neuralgic  patient,  more  as  a  consequence  of 


tt 


t 


DR.   \N'^'  ;.    UOTiTOB  75 

tod  larfr<*  doscB  of  opium  to  which  he  was  constrained  to  resort  for  the 

■         '■  '  ■ "  ryjjrns,  di;r*- -  *' '^*"   ; -    s  of  curative  remedies, 

if.     lUit  or  of  any   c«»usiJLTabh' 

1  .'1   iL'    <.;i-«>  111      '  ■  '    '  ''  l)cniiuble,  id  ucithcT 

!<d.  nor  would  it  I" 

're   itH  nsr,  the 

of  th<*  liumrin 

i.-»,  have,  fioni  iin.> 

uity.     Thi;  Bmi  h 

i.  by  two  suci  -,  Ix'stowed  upon  Jcnner  th<*  sums  of  ten 

md  twenty  tli        ,        d-^  for  the  dit^covery  of  viiccination.     The 

as  yet  produced  but  one  great  imj)rovemcnt  in  the  he;iling  art  deserving 

•^  with  that  of  Jenncr.     A^"  -  >  • «,  ^v  •...«.;i.;i-.t;...r  pain,  has  done  as 

nt-fit  of  the  race  as  t  imii^hed  the  instru- 

!>y  wiiicii  the  small-pox  may  hv  im  iii\  rAUiiuiii.ucn. 

ke  iionorable  to  themselves  and  to  our  own  countrymau,  Professor  Morse, 

vcrnments  of  Kurope  joined  in  present inj^  hiui  an 

lity  thousand   dolhirs   for  the  telegrapli  discovery. 

u(\  have  done  had  ehe  the  ghiry  of  counting  etheri- 

MtS? 

U'diudivi"  •  (1  import- 

ihem  to  .1  ^  _  rs  of  niau- 

l>r.  Borland,  in  a  speech  upon  tliis  sui)ject  during  33d  Congress,  said: 

I  '    '"•  next  place,  hst  it  might  occur  to  the  minds  of  some  that  purchasing 

lom  a  patentee  to  use  a  valuahlc  discovery  is  a  new  thing  in  our  gov- 

u  ,  [  beg  leave  to  call  attention  to  the  records,  which  show  that  it  is  no 

•  I ractice,  but  for  years  and  ye&n*  has  been  repeated  over  and  ovtr  again.    I  will 

L  f»w  cases.    We  paid  for  the  right  to  makr        '      -  of  a  certaui  form  for  the 

.  Sl,iOO;  for  the  use  of  circular  bulht  moi  )0;  lor  the  usu  of  gas  in 

■),000;  for  elevating  and  jjoiuting  hciny  cannon,  $:^0,000;  for  the 

cut  anti-attrition  metal,  .^'iU.OOO.     We  paid  to  the  luirs  of  Rob- 

1  uh»>ii,  lor  benefits  conferred    by  his  improvements  in  steam  navigation, 

1)0.     We    paid  £i>r   Mix's  manger  stopper,  used   in   the  wivalry  service, 

0.     We  paid  to  Dr.  Locke,  for  the  us<.>  of  his  magnetic  clock,  810,000.    We 

1  to  ^Irr'iilloeh  &  Booth,  for  the  riijht  to  use  the  improved  method  of  refining 

n  us  gold  bullin;  0;  thus  making  an  aggn?gate  of  6165,000 

1  -'  -      I'Mt,  in  UL..... :  >  these,  there  have  been  nmuerous  instances 

,  or  the  privilege  of  using  in  the  service  of  the  gov- 

..i   ,11  Ml  les,  have  been  purchased  by  the  departments,  some  of 

3  I  find  ciud  in  connexion  with  tlie  report  of  the  si  hct  com- 

'  *■  !f  ^•^tives,  for  whi  '  jtaid  $17&,03;:i — making 

y  the  United  ^  r  patents  aud  the  use  of 

..led  ailiclca. 

^ii'ce  1  JMve  been  a  member  of  the  Senate*,  when  meritorious  Individuals  have 

•m  to  test 
lO. 
^   that  pncedeiils  niv  all  in  fuvor  ol  such  use  of 
^^ovenmient  to  avail  itself  of*  important  disco v- 

liough  fully  satisfied  of  the  value  of  the  discovery,  the  committee  thought 
t  proper  to  act  upon  their  o^^^l  unaided  opinion.  The  chairman  addressed 
IS  to  the  medical  bureaus  of  the  army  and  navy,  ivud  particular  attention  is 
d  to  their  answers  and  to  the  replies  of  the  former  heads  of  those  dcpart- 
:s,  also  to  extract-*  from  letters  from  the  surr —  ■  ;  the  goveniment  ser\ice, 
the  medical  profession  generally,  which  w.  bed  in  a  former  report. 


7i6  DR.   WM.    T.    G.   MORTON. 

Surgeon  General's  Office, 

Washington  City,  J).  C,  February  24,  1863 

Sir*.    I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  this  d( 
6:*l;iug  my  vi<'\vs  relative  to  compensation  to  be  paid  Dr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton  for  the   adv 
t^ig*-^  which  the  Government  has  received  from  the  use  of  anaesthetics  in  the  army  i  m 
iijivy,  Olid  for  the  benefits  which  will  in  future  be  derived  from  it. 

i  ihiiik  there  would  be  manifest  propriety  in  giving  Dr.  Morton  a  substantial  rew 
for  the  great  discovery  made  by  him — a  discovery  which  has  been  of  incalculable  ben 
I.O  r.he  sick  and  v  ounded  of  the  army  and  navy.  It  may  be  safely  asserted  that  in 
per  cent,  of  the  operations  performed  in  our  military  hospitals  and  on  the  field  of  ba 
ai!aj3thetic3  are  used. 

I  am  clearly  of  the  opinion  that  the  sum  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  would 
little  enou£,'li  to  bestow  on  Dr.  Morton  for  the  advantages  which  have  accrued  and  ^ 
accrue  in  future  to  the  Government  through  the  use  of  the  means,  whj|Ch  he  was  the  firs 
discover,  of  alleviating  human  suffering.  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  state  that  imrai 
otcly  after  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg,  Dr.  Moi'ton  administered  ethor  several  times, 
Falmouth,  with  the  greatest  skill  and  efficiency  to  patients  upon  whom  I  was  operating, 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

W.  A.  HAMMOND,  Surgeon  General 

Hon,  Henby  Wilson, 

Chairman  Military  Committee,  U.  S.  Senate,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Navy  Department 
Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  February  2,  1863 
Sir:  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  communicatioD 
the  29th  ultimo,  inquiring  whether  or  not  anaesthetics  are  generally  used  in 
surgical  OTjerations  performed  by  the  surgeons  in  the  service  of  this  governmc 
*    ^        *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 

I  beg  leave  to  state,  in  reply,  that  ancesthetics  have  come  into  such  gene 
use  that  a  surgical  operation  j^erformed  without  such  agents  may  be  regarded 
the  exception  to  an  almost  universal  rule  in  this  as  in  other  countries. 

In  the  Crimea  alone,  according  to  the  calculations  of  Mr.   Scrive,  it  T| 
administered  to  more  than  twenty  thousand  wounded. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  sei-vant, 

-^       ^  W.  WHELAN 

Hon.  Henry  Wilson, 

Chairman  Committee  on  Military  Affairs,  U.  S.  Senate. 

Surgeon  General's  Office,  March  1,  1852 

Sir:  In  compliance  with  your  verbal  request  to  be  furnished  with  inforr 
tion  in  regard  to  the  employment  of  anaesthetic  agents  in  the  army  of  the  Uni 
States,  and  also  for  an  expression  of  opinion  as  to  the  value  and  importance 
this  class  of  remedial  agents,  I  have  to  state : 

That  sulphuric  ether  and  chloroform  were  used  to  some  extent  in  the  milit 
hospitals  established  at  the  theatre  of  war  in  Mexico,  but  the  use  of  those  artit 
was  not  so  general  as  at  present,  for  the  reason  that  the  apparatus  at  that  ti 
believed  to  be  essential  to  their  proper  and  safe  administration  was  not  adap 
to  service  in  the  field. 

At  the  present  moment  it  is  believed  that  no  surgical  operation  of  importa: 
is  performed  by  the  medical  officers  of  the  army  without  the  aid  of  some  an; 
thetic  agent. 

Previous   to   the  discovery  of  this  new  application  of  sulphuric  ether,  the 
nual  8upj)lv  of  that  medicine  was  one  pound  for  every  hundred  men.     On 
revision  of^he  standard  supply  table,  by  a  board  of  medical  ofiicers  in  1849, 
pure  wasJK'd  sulphin-ic  ether  was  substituted  for  the  ordinary  sulphuric  etl 
and  the  (luantity  allowed  was  increased  one  hundi-cd  per  cent.     At  \\\o.  s* 
lime  another  anaesthetic  agent,  the  tincture  of  chloroform,  commonly  culled  ch 
ether,  was  added  to  the  supply  table,  and  is  now  regularly  farni:ilied  to  the  ni 
ical  officers  in  such  quantities  as,  in  connexion  with  the  sulphuric  ether   ^ 
suflice  to  meet  all  the  demands  of  the  service  in  this  i)articular 

Ahh..n.l.   .],.  .li<.nv.vvnf  this  now  theranetdic^ii^£U£^ 


DR.   WSl.   T.    G.    MOUTO*^.  77 

any  way  militiite  against  tbn  merits  of  the  original  diBCo^-crj-,  which  I  rcpird 

I    no  of  the  I  *  I  ami  vali:  '  '  itribiitionp  to  nudic.il  ^limcc,  niid 

r  relief  «  '  inanity,  w  rvcr  boon  made,  the  only  dii^cov- 

1  tliv  n  with  being  thaL  oi  vaccination,  which  hut*  rendered  the 
!  mortal. 
!in>u;;li  the  inlluenco  of  these  reii  .'  1^  ^.p. 

!  to  perform  tlie  mo.-»t  extent?ivo  a:  ,  ly  the 

and  htruggles  of  the  patient,  but  what  is  of  tar  greater  importance,  tiie  pa- 
in in'  V.  ii/!.  r.  ,1  insenj'ible,  escapes  tliat  shock  to  the  nervous  system  which 
utly  fatal.     For  this  rcjison  om^rations  can  now  be  per- 
..  .will  iiiuvi    iii..,»'  safety  than  heretofore,  and  tliat,  too,  in  cases  in  which 
t  tempt  to  perform  them  would  have  been  forbidden  by  the  general  condition 
!m'  patient. 

.  the  physician  this  class  of  remedial  agents  promises  to  be  of  the  greatest 
li  their  application  in  the  treatment  of  disease  has  yet  to  be  more 

will  Milhce  at  this  time  to  allude  to  their  employment  for  the  reliif  of  suf- 

,'  women  in  the  hour  of  her  greatest  trial,  and  at  the  moment  she  claims  oui 

vinpathies.     That  these  agents  can  be  safely  used  in  parturition,  so  as 

mil  and  entire  exemption  from  pain  to  the  mother,  and  with  safety  both 

r  and  to  the  child,  has  been  amply  d<'mon8trated. 

.  conclusion,  pennit  me  to  congratulate  you  upon  the  flattering  testimonial 

have  received  from  the  National  Institute  of  France  for  this  discovery,  and 

press  the  hope  that,  inasmuch  as  it  is  impossible  for  you  to  derive  any  pe- 

iry  benefit  therefrom  in  ordinary  course  by  letters  patent,  you  may  receive 

Ml  v<.n:-  country  that  acknowledgment  of  your  merit  which  is  due  to  one  who 

^  I    iiti  nod  so  great  a  boon  upon  mankind. 

1  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

TH.  LAWSON.  Surgeon  General. 
W.  T.  C    >[oRTO.\,  M.  D.. 

r         »'  Hottl,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Tki:a6LRV  Department,  June  25,  1852. 

Sir  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledp:e  the  receipt  of  your  letter  of  the  17th 

'  uit,  covering  copies  of  a  communication  from  the  lion.  W.  II.  Bissell,  of  a 

r  from  the  chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgiry  of  the  navy,  and 

-}  a  1  Ml  r  from  tin  w  general  of  the  army,  with  certain  printed  matter, 

I  1'  If;  s  t  i  th'  I  <>i'  Dr.  Wm.  'V.  G.  Morton,  asking  remuneration  from 

ery  of  the  ana'slhetic  properties  of  sulphuric  ether. 

-   ;  itioii  ef  the.-e  s.  veral  documcuts  lias  satisfied  me  that 

iuric  ether  and  tine  >  are  very  gem.'rally  used  in  the  army 

navy  of  the  United  ^w.t. .-  a   .w..i  '•  •ij::pnts;  and  the  decided  testimony 

to  the  merits  of  these  etherial  \>  <na  by  the  chief  of  the  Bureau  of 

cine  and  *^urgery  of  the  navy,  ano  im-  .-urgeon  general  of  the  army,  leaves 

ubt  upoii  my  mind  as  to  their  great  value  in  medical  and  surgical  practice. 

'  ''  '  n  to  the  evidence  thus  afforded  in  their  favor,  I  may  mention  the  fact 

lirents  now  form  a  part  of  th<;  regular  medical  supply  to  the  marine 

e  United  States,  and  that  they  arc  employed  therein  with  very 

i                                    very  of  the  anncsth  -.  n«. 

qeon  General  Law-  i: -1 

ntributions  to  meflical  science,  and  to  the  relief  of  sutfirini:  ■ 

."  I  concur  entirely  with  Col.  Bissell  and  yourself,  as  toth<  y 

justice  of  liberally  compensating  tlie  patentee,  who  has  not  st  any  tim  d 

:y  cuniary  advantage  from  bis  discovery,  and  who  now  appeals  to  tli'  1  _ .  ....«ic 


78  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 


f 


of  his  country,  on  condition  of  the  surrender  of  his  patent  for  the  benefii  i'' 
mankind,  for  proper  remuneration  in  lieu  of  the  gains  that  he  would  have 
rived  had  he  been  protected  in  the  use  of  the  rights  conferred  upon  him 
letters  patent  of  the  government.     I  therefore  recommend  that  such  reason? 
and  liberal  sum,  as  the  committee  of  which  you  are  chairman,  may,  in  their 
cretion,  determine  upon,  be  reported  as  a  national  com-pensatAon  to  Dr.  Mori 
and  that  the  same  be  attached,  as  proposed  by  Col.  Bissell,  to  the  "  naval  | 
propriation  bill "  for  the  ensuing  fiscal  year. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfullv,  your  obedient  servant,  en^ 

THO.  CORWIN, 
Secretary  of  the   Treasury 
Hon.  Frederick  P.  StantOxN, 

Chairman  Naval  Committee,  House  Reps. 


War  Department, 

Washington,  June  21,  1852 

Sir  :  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  7th  instant,  enclosing  sundry  dol  n'^ 

ments  relating  to  the  memorial  of  Dr.  William  T.  G.  Morton,  who  seeks  rei 

neration  from  the  government  for  the  discovery  of  the  anaesthetic  properties  t  ^ 

sulphuric  ether.  fHo 

In  reply  I  beg  leave  to  state  that  I  have  no  information  on  the  subject  of  t  ^f 

discovery  other  than  that  which  I  have  derived  from  public  rumor  and  from 

documents  you  enclose,  it  being  exclusively  a  professional  question.     All 

information  which  this  department  could  furnish  the  committee  is  contained!  '^ 

the  letter  from  the  surgeon  general,  which  is  among  the  papers  you  enclose.   It^ 

Judging  fronithis  information,  there  can  be  but  little  doubt  that  this  discov^  ttt 

is  one  of  the  most  valuable  contributions  that  science  has  ever  made  to  the  cai  f 

of  humanity. 

I  do  not  know  what  the  practice  of  the  government  has  been  in  regardfce, 
rewarding  individuals  for  inventions  or  discoveries  made  by  them,  or,  at  lea  F 
compensating  them  for  the  use  of  them  in  the  public  service,  but  I  do  nothesiti 
to  say  that  if  it  has  been  the  practice  of  Congress  to  grant  such  rewards  or  cc 
pensation,  Dr.  Morton's  claim  is  fairly  entitled  to  the  most  liberal  consideratil 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

C.  M.  CONRAD. 

Secretary  of  Warfi/y 
Hon.  Frederick  P.  Stanton, 

Chairman  Committee  on  Nanal  Affairs,  House  of  Reps. 

Navy  Department,  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery, 

June  29,  1852 

Sir  :  I  have  had  the  honor  to  receive  your  letter  of  yesterday's  date, 
relation  to  the  memorial  of  Dr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton,  asking  of  Congress  remune 
tion  for  the  discovery  of  the  anaesthetic  properties  of  sulphuric  ether,  and  calli 
upon  me  for  a  statement  as  to  the  basis  on  which  the  claim  is  founded,  with 
eatimate  of  the  amount  to  which,  in  my  opinion,  he  is  entitled,  on  the  score 
the  benefits  and  advantages  resulting  from  its  use  in  the  naval  service. 

As  the  views  of  the  bureau  in  regard  to  the  importance  of  this  discovery  hi  \ 
been  already  expressed  in  a  communication  to  Dr.  Morton,  I  beg  leave  to  <P 
tract  so  much  of  it  as  relates  to  this  branch  of  the  subject. 

"  In  reply  to  your  inquiry  as  to  the  importance  attached  to  the  late  discovt 
of  etherization,  by  the  medical  corps  of  the  navy,  it  gives  me  pleasure  to  expr- 
the  high  sense  they  entertain  of  its  utility,  not  only  in  surgical  practice,  but  a 
powerful  agent  in  many  painful  affections  which  have  resisted  the  ordini 
remedies.     This  opinion  is  strengthened  by  the  concurrent  testimony  of 


Dn.   WM.   T.    G.    MORTON.  j,^ 

It  civil  pr  of  our  own  country,  with  \ho  cmpliAtic  indorecment  of 

fti\'U'  l.v  tl  ti-li  :iM(l  coiitiii.  :it  il  sur^'^oil.^. 

I    fimlinj^  that   norv.ju.-*   p«  ■< 

«1  ''nhalntion  ;  and,  wljiln  m.  ,,.  ..,.  vl, 

tlio  oporition  of  t\u^  knife.     In 

(i!  iiM  11   ii'dii  iir»   U!«<*,  in   allrviiitinj^  pain,   it  haa  a 

_'  mortality.     It.s  advantage  in  this  n'r*pf  ct  appears 

rn  irom  the  severe  »ho€k  and  nervous  exhaustion  which 

-VLT  surgical  openitions,  aud  which  of  themselves  often 

[•f^l»  the  fear  of  pain  which  formerly  prevented  many  from  submitting 

.  effectually,  undisturbed 
limes  uuDcrvcs  the  steadiest 

^  hi.s  claim  to  pecuniary 
....  iVom  the  peculiar  nature 
utor  in  the  excludivo  advan- 

•  '   -  '  •'     -  -  i  lit-  uu\t  ii^\  oi   iiii-  iliscovery  consists  in  the  new 

il  Ji*rent,  and  the  privilege  of  usinjr  it,  on  the  part  of 

•    ■  ■     "  ■'    '   '  it. 

a 

,-  to  the  govmimcut,  which  also  lai'gcly  aviiUo  iucll'  of 
1  it,  for  relief. 

'mount  wbich  the  inventor  may  reasonably 
ion  of  the  advantages  attending  its  use  in 
es.     For  the  reasons  abovi'  mentioned,  the  cost  of  the  ether  itself 
....  a^  an  element  into  the  calculation,  and  the  fairest  estimate,  I  con-' 
might  be  mon-  nearly  approximated  by  the  amount  one  would  be  williu: 
♦  >  Ko  rescued  from  impending  death,  or  to  be  relieved  from  urgent  an 
:iu  i 

.V  -       -nion,  however,  that  the  sum  of  one  hundred  thoutoTid 

•ct  committiM'  of  the  IIou.se  of  Represicntatives  as  a 

■  utor,  is  notli:  '  "  "  It-nt  for  the  im- 

-ung  to  the  go.  .;  this  important 


on  which   \)r 

- -.  T  -. 

coverv,  It  13  1 

;rWcovci 


1  um,  very  reapectftdly,  your  obedient  servant, 

TIIOS.  HARRIS, 
Chief  Bureau  of  Medicine  ami  Surgery. 
Hon.  Wm.  a.  Graham, 

Secretary  of  the  Navy. 


^  Extract  of  a  Utter  from  John  Watson,  M.  D. 

New  York  Hospital,  January  10,  1852. 

'  n  of  ether  aud    '         '  ■      '  "     '  ""  r- 

-panm  and  m'  1, 

the  ancesfhetic  properties  and  use  of  sulphur  u  ether, 
^   '        c  ^  ^trymtn,  and  to  gice  him  rank  among  the  benefactors 

?  f  the  human  race. 

*  I  remam,  with  becoming  respect, 

^  JNO.  WATSON. 

Gbobgb  Nbwbold,  Esq. 


80  DR.   WM.   T.   G.  ■MORTOk. 


I 


West  Point,  New  York,  February  14,  185: 
Both  ether  and  chloroform  are  used  as  an  aesthetic  agents  in  the  army. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JNO.  W.  CUYLER, 

Surgeon  U.  S.  Arm] 
Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL,  Chamnan,  ifc. 


c 

arm} 


St.  Lours,  Mo.,  February  12,  1855 
Ether  was  first  used  by  the  army  early  in  1847,  during  the  Mexican  • 
more  particularly  on  General  Scott's  line ;  as  at  that  period  a  complicated 
fragile  inhalator  was  employed  for  its  use.  Of  the  number  of  instruments 
to  the  army,  two  intended  for  the  Rio  Grande  line  were  broken  in  the  trans] 
tation,  hence  the  ether  was  little  used,  if  at  all,  on  that  line.  The  chlorof 
was  early  introduced  in  the  army,  not  soon  enough  to  have  had  experience 
it  or  chloric  ether  during  the  war.  It  is  now  one  of  the  principal  articles  of 
medical  supplies,  and  is  in  general  use. 

The  chloroform  is  as  highly  esteemed  by  the  medical  officers  of  the  army 
navy  as  by  the  surgeons  in  general  pmctice ;  it  is  certainly  an  inestimable  bl™ 
to  suffering  humanity.     To  my  knowledge  no  important  surgical  operation 
eluding  reduction  of  dislocations,  fractures,  &c.,  is  perfoi*med  in  the  army  w 
out  its  being  employed. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

E.  H.  ABADIE, 


Ai 

DOBt 


Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL,  Chairmaiit  ifC. 


Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Armx 


Fort  Adams,  R?  I.,  February  10,  185^ 

I  have  no  doubt  their  effect  is  greatly  to  lessen  mortality  in  surgical  operatio 
Most  respectfully  your  obodient  servant, 

R.  S.  SATTERLEE, 

Surgeon  U.  S.  Armi 
Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL,  Chairman,  ^. 


West  Point,  N.  Y.,  February  12,  185S 

Says   it  was   introduced   into  the  Mexican  war.     "  I   shall  consider  it 
greatest  boon  of  the  soldier." 

"J.  SIMONS, 
"  Ass''t.  Surg.  XJ.  S.  Army. 


Athens,  Georgia,  February  9,  186:^ 
I  reply,  that  in  the  navy  of  the  United  States,  to  my  knowledge,  both  et 
and  chlorofoi-m  are  used  as  angesthetic  agents. 

That  the  discovery  is  of  American  origin,  and  due  to  Dr.  Morton,  seems 
well  established  and  believed  that  it  is  needless  for  me  to  add  anything  on 
head.     The  memory  of  such  a  man  should  be  written  "m  cerea  percnes;"  ;  ^^ 
it  would  reflect  honor  upon  his  country  to  reward  his  labors  while  living.     S* 
a  man  can  proudly  exclaim  with  the  immortal  Tycho  Broke,  "  I  have  not  li 
iu  vain." 

A.  A.  FRANKLIN  HILL, 

Ass'L  Surg.  U.  S.  Airm^lL 


0. 

Ik 


DR.   WM.    T.   G.   MORTON.  81 

New  Yukk,  January  3,  1852. 

I  would  state  that  sulphuric  ether  and  tincture  of  chloroform  arc  among  the 
nodical  supplies  fumiehed  for  the  use  of  the  army. 

T.  G.  MOWER. 

Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

New  York,  January  31,  1852. 
Chloroform   and  pulphuric  ether  are,  I  believe,  furnished  (generally  to  the 
inn  J.     •     •     •     The  effect  of  these  agents  i«  wonderful  and  most  valuable  in 
essening  pain  and  suflfering. 

ROBERT  MURRAY, 
Atsutant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Philadelphia,  January  27,  1852. 

And  80  fiir  as  r-    '  •    n  extends,  (having  witnessed  a  large  number  of 

DOBt  painful  ojRi,.  .    .      ihe  influence  of  ether,)  I  caubut  cou.sidcr the dis- 

^  sovery  of  the  Pioperycd  ui'  these  agents  as  the  greatest  boon  that  poor  suffering 
umanity  htis  ever  received. 

W.  WHEATOX. 

Surgeon  U.  S.  Army, 


a. 


Q( 


Fort  Washington,  Indiana,  January  27,  1852. 
Medical  officers  are  supplied  with  chloroform  for  the  use  of  the  army.     *     • 
!  have  used  it  myself. 

LEWIS  A.  EDWARDS, 

Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Germantown,  January  26,  1852. 

Some  of  these  agentp  are  always  added  to  the  requisitions  of  medical  surgeons 

O.  J.  WEBSTER, 

At.v.-:/  .-"t  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Fort  Moultrie, 
Charleston  Harbor,  S.  C,  February  19,  1852. 

Sulphuric  ether  was  used  in  the  general  hospital  at  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico,  in 
he  summer  of  1847.     I  had  charge  of  that  hospital. 

J.  B.  PORTER,  M.  D.. 

Surgeon  U.  S.  Army, 

Plattsburg  Barracks,  New  York. 
I  hare  used  ether,  as  before  stated,  for  many  years. 

J.  MAKLIN, 
Astutant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 

Jefferson  Barracks,  MissourL 
C.  A.  Finley,  surgeon  United  States  army,  uses  it,  and  say^ :  *•  As  an  alle- 
.  riator  of  human  suffering,  I  consider  it  the  most  important  (jRscovcry  that  bA8 
J  »een  made  i«ince  the  days  of  Jenner." 

Fort  Meade,  Florida. 
Jona.  Letturman,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army,  says  he  uses  thexu 
1  "  diseases  involving  the  nervous  system,  ia  allaying  the  vomiting  of  an  inri- 
Bep.  Com.  89 6 


i-d; 


82  DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 

table  stomach,  in  cramp  colic,  and  in  delirium  tremens.  Its  administration  in 
all  was  followed  by  complete  relief.  In  a  case  of  delirium  tremens,  in  which 
all  the  ordinary  remedies  were  used  without  effect,  I  attribute  the  saving  the 
patient's  life  to  the  administration  of  chloroform." 

Fort  Scott,  Missouri. 
Joseph  K.  Barnes,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army,  says  :  "  Both  ether  R 
and  chloroform  have  been,  and  continue  to  be,  used  as  anaesthetic  agents  by  y 
myself  and  others  in  army  practice.     The  use  of  chloroform,  under  my  imme- 
diate notice,  has  been  confined  to  its  anaesthetic  effects  during  surgical  operations 
of  some  magnitude,  in  which  freedom  from  pain  on  the  part  of  the  patient  was  L 
considered  conducive  to  safety  and  celerity  in  operating.     No  medical  officer  is 
likely  to  be  without  them." 

Fort  Dodge,  loim. 
Charles  C.  Keeney,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army,  says  :  "  Ether  and 
chloroform  are  both  used  as  anaesthetic  agents  in  the  army.  They  are  used  to 
a  great  extent  in  neuralgic  diseases,  and  in  amputations  of  the  extremities,  and 
extirpation  of  various  tumors,  all  with  remarkable  good  effect  in  annulling  sen- 
sation and  voluntary  motion.  Where  I  have  been  stationed  they  have  been  ' 
used  to  a  great  extent." 

Fort  Ripley,  Minnesota  Territory. 
J.  Frazier  Head,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army,  uses  them,  and  says: 
"As  in  many  important  operations  in  surgery  the  nervous  shock  resulting  from 
the  pain,  experienced  is  an  element  of  great  importance  in  determining  the  issuei^ 
of  the  case,  an  agent  which  removes  this  element  with  comparative  safety,  and 
no  bad  influence  to  counterbalance  this  advantage,  cannot  fail  to  diminish  the  * 
mortality  attendant  upon  such  operations." 

UNrTED  States  Naval  Hospital, 

Portsmouth,  Virginia* 
N.  C.  Barrabino,  surgeon  United  States  navy,  says  ether  and  chloroform  is 
used  both  in  the  army  and  navy,  and  is  decidedly  of  the  opinion  that  their  use 
lessens  mortality. 


Fort  McIntosh,  Lorcdo,  Texas. 
G.  Pierce,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army,  uses  them,  and  says ;  "  I  jai 
am  inclined  to  form  a  very  high  opinion  of  chloroform  as  a  remedial  agenL" 

Fort  Webster,  Neiv  Mexico,  May  27,  1852. 

Sir  :  It  gives  roe  pleasure,  in  compliance  with  your  requrst,  to  enclose  to 
you  the  accompanying  table.  My  experience  in  the  larger  amputations  is,  you 
will  perceive,  small,  but  favorable  in  the  highest  degree  to  the  good  effects  of 
^erization.     Wishing  you  auccess, 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  A.  HAMMOND, 

Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army. 
Pr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton,  Washington,  D.  C. 

Fort  Duncan,  Texa*. 

All  my  experience  regarding  ansesthetic  agents  has  been  in  parturition,  and  I 
can  assure  you  that  the  effect  has  always  exceeded  my  most  sanguine  hopes. 

GEORGE  E.  COOPER, 

Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Army' 


DB.    WM.    T.    O.    MORTON.  g3 


Baltimorb,  February  2,  1852. 
That  the  aiscovory  of  an  n-ont  which  assuagos  or  annihilates  th.  rain 

'/itm  expononcfd  in  di^^ca-Mrs.  viorssan/,/  hiflictid  to  a  j^n-atcr  or  1.  in 

>perat.on8  on  the  human  hudy,  and.  ,^rrnerai/y,  incident  to  tho  cndiii.,.  of  th<. 
ema\e  in  the  act  of  partnrition  «honld.at  the  very  lirst  l.h.sh.  comnioud  itself  to 
he  acceptance  of  all  mankind,  and  that  the  discoverer  of  guch  an  a^ent  should 
.e  regarded  as  hnvm.^  conferred  the  lu;;he.t  earthly  boon  oi.  afllicted  laimanity 
re  propositions  too  <.!  ,  .  need  the  slightest  argument  to  enforce  them    ^ 

Whether  ether  ore:         ,    ,  a  is  n.ed  in   the  army  for  anaesthetic  purposes  I 
|^e  no  means  of  knowing,  hut  it  is  certainly  so  used  in  the  practice  of  the 

I  am,  sir,  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  BEALE,  M.  D., 

TT^«   Tir  TT  T»  ^,    .  Surgeon  United  States  Navy. 

Hon.  W.  n.  BissELL.  Chmrman,  d:c.  ^ 

Naval  Rexdezvous, 
^cy^  York,  February  7,  1852. 
By  most  of  the^ medical  profession  these  agents  are  highly  appreciated,  and  it 

ott'n7eM   ''•^^•^'^''^•""•^  P"^'^^  hisdisco^eiyoV^he  anlthetic 

ower  of  ether,  is  deserving  a  public  reward. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be.  very  respectfiflly,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  S.  EDWARDS, 
Hon,  W.  n.  BissELL.  Chairman.  ^.  ^"'''"^  ^"'^^  ^^^^"  ^^"^y- 

-  E«'E,  Pennsylvania,  January  30,  1852. 

I  should  ho  d  myself  bound  to  use  sometimes  the  one,  sometimes  the  other  in 
arious  conditions  of  disease  and  injury.  ' 

WAf.  MAXWELL  WOOD. 

Surgeon  United  State*  Navy. 

^, ,      .  ,  ,  Norfolk,  February  4,  1852. 

Chloroform  or  sulphuric  ether  are  used  in  the  naval  service  as  an  anesthetic 

They  are  pn-ncipally  us       in  the  naval  service  to  lessen  pam  and  enable  a 
Bid  or  excitable  paUent  to  undergo  an  operation. 

JAMES  CORNICK. 
Surgeon  United  States  Navy. 

T^«*  ♦*,  ,  .     ,  Philadelphia. 

That  tbey  are  used  m  the  army  and  navy.     I  think  they  diminish  mortality 

DANIEL  EGBERT. 
Surgeon  United  States  Navy. 
T  k  J    1 1      *  Philadelphia. 

I  have  used  chloroform  as  an  amcsthetic  a^^nt  in  my  practice  in  the  navy 

J.  HOPKINSON.  United  States  Navy, 

United  States  Ship  Pennsylvania, 
I  T»  -n  DviT  .  ^or/blJc,  Virginia, 


84  •         DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 


Annapolis,  Maryland. 
My  experience  has  been,  as  yet,  limited  to  some  sixteen  surgical  cases.  I] 
preventing  the  sufferings  of  surgical  operations,  I  consider  chloric  ether  entitled  t 
rank  as  the  crowning  medical  discovery  of  the  day.  The  cases  in  which  I  use 
it  were  for  the  removal  of  cancerous  breasts  and  large  tumors  situated  in  dehcat 
parts.  I  should  strenuously  recommend  its  introduction  on  board  of  om*  vessels 
of-war. 

NINIAN  PINKNEY, 
Surgeon  United  States  Navy. 


United  States  Naval  Hospital,  Chdaea. 
They  are  both  used  as  ansesthetic  agents  in  the  navy. 

S.  RUDENSTEIN, 

United  States  Navy. 

United  States  Ship  Pennsylvania, 

Norfolk,  Virginia. 
Chloroform  is  used  in  the  navy.     Its  use  has  been  confined  to  amputations  an ' 
other  painful  and  protracted  smgical  operations,  and  with  decided  benefit. 

D.  B.  PHILLIPS,^ 
Assistant  Surgeon  United  States  Navy, 


ai 


Philadelphia 

Ether  and  chloroform  are  both  employed  as  ansesthetic  agents  in  the  UnitCi 
States  navy.     Diminish  mortality  in  a  very  notable  proportion. 

JOHN  O'CONNOR  BARCLAY. 
Passed  Assistant  Surgeon  United  States  Navy. 

United  States  Navy  Yard, 

Gosport,  Virginia. 
Sam;-,      I  . Arlington,  surgeon  United  States  navy,  says  they  are  used  in  tl'^ 
aimy  and  navy. 


United  States  Steam  Frigate  San  Jacinto, 

Gosporty  Virginia 

I  have  witnessed  the  use  of  ether  and  chloroform  as  ansesthetic  agents  in  tl 
navy.     These  agents  have  been  very  generally  employed  in  a  great  variety 
cases,  and  with  favorable  effect. 

JOHN  H.  WRIGHT, 
Tossed  Assistant  Surgeon  United  States  Navy. 


United  States  Naval  Rendezvous, 

Boston,  January  30,  1852. 

I  have  seen  chloroform  used  in  the  navy.     ♦     *     *     I  would  use  it  in  j 
surgical  operations  when  it  was  desirable  to  prevent  pain. 

GEO.  MALTSBY,  United  States  Navy. 


w 
I 

D 

a: 

iff 

Tl 

h 

I 


United  States  Marine  Hospital,  St.  Loms. 

My  impression  is,  that  they  are  used  in  the  army  and  navy  to  a  consideral  E>^ 

extent,  my  impression  being  derived  from  an  acquaintance  with  many  of  t 

medical  staff  of  those  branches  of  the  public  service,  from  their  publications 

the  medical  journals  of  the  country,  and  from  their  known  disposition  to  ke 


DB,   WM.   T.    G.    MORTON.  W 

•e  with  the  progrcps  of  ecicncc.  Thoy  arc  rop^arded  aa  one  of  the  p^eatcflt 
.^  that  Fciencr  could  hiy  on  the  ultnr  of  humanity.  Thoy  have  now  been  uaed 
perhaps  millions  of  persons,  indiscriminately,  in  both  hemispheres. 

OHAS.  A.  I'OPE,  United  Statet  Nary. 

United  States  Marine  Hospital, 

New  OrlcanSf  Ftbruary  17,  1852. 

\  Is  the  nse  of  anaesthetic  .  \vq  have  invariably  employed  chlo- 

•  'ratious  ;  also  for  perin  ii,  for  stricture  of  the  urethra,  and 

:  V,  without  any  unplcasaat  rc^ulta,  and,  I  think,  with  more  favora- 
cencc. 

P.  li.  ]^l(  KELVEY, 
Principal  Physician  and  Surgeon. 

Dr.  J.  H.  Hopkinson,  United  States  navy,  uses  chloroform- 
William  Lowber,  l  ites  navy,  says  ether  and  chlonjibrm  are  u^ed. 

John  II.  Wright,  p  -istiint  surgeon  United  States  navy,  uses  them. 

D.  B.  Phillips,  as.-^istant  surgeon  United  States  navy,  has  used  them. 

John  L.  Fox,  surgeon  United  States  naval  hospital,  Chebea,  says  he  has  used 
licm. 

John  Ij.  Burtt.  United  States  navy,  United  States  naval  hospital.  New  York, 

s  chloroform. 

George  Blacknall,  surgeon  United  States  navy,  Norfolk,  Virginia,  says  they 
ire  used. 
liki    William  A.  Nelson,  M.  D.,  United  States  navy,  says  it  is  used  in  the  navy. 

D.  S.  Edward:«,  surgeon  United  States  navy,  says  ether  and  chloroform  are 
ised  in  the  navy. 

Charles  S.  Tripler,  surgeon  United  States  army,  Fort  Gratiot,  Michigan,  uses 
liem. 

R.  O.  Wood,  surgeon  United  States  army,  says  it  has  been  used  in  the  army. 

A.  S.  Wothcrspooii,  assistant  surgc^on  United  States  army — surgeon  general's 
A  tfice — bears  testimony  to  its  high  value. 

Josiah  Simpson,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army.  Fort  Wood,  New  York 
larbor,  uses  ether. 

Dr.  Macklin,  a.^sistant  surgeon  United  States  anay,  uses  ether. 

L.  1).  Williams,  Havre  de  Grace,  says  amesthetic  agents  arc  used. 

Ebenczer  Swift,  surgeon  United  States,  Fort  Martin  Scott,  Texas,  uses  anaea- 

nc  agents. 

Dr.  J.  N.  Schoolfield,  marine  hospital,  Norfolk,  Virginia,  use  sanajsthetic 

ligcUtS. 

!    Dr.  Henry  S.  Leveret,  United  States  marine  Jiospital,  Mobile,  uses  anesthetic 
nts. 

1  >r.  William  Ingalls,  United  States  marine  hospital,  Chelsea,  Massachusetts, 
s  anaesthetic  agents. 

Dr.  31.  L.  Hewitt,  United  States  marine  hospital,  Cleveland,  Ohio,  uses  them. 
iDij   Alexander  H.  Hassier,  Texas,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army,  uses 
vn^sthetic  agents. 

L'homas  II.  Williams,  assistant  surgeon  United  States  army.  Fort   North 
lexas,  .-j»t  aks  highly  of  them. 
T.  C  Madison,  United  States  army,  uses  anssthetic  agents. 

di  ^ixiract  of  a  letter  from  Henry  I.  Bowditcht  physician  of  the  Massachusetis 
ftl  General  Hospital. 

Boston,  January  4,  1852. 
I  presume  that  the  dicovery  of  the  anaesthetic  properties  of  ether,  and  its  prac- 
ical  application  to  /nedicine,  will  take  a  rank  quite  equal  to  that  of  vaccination. 


86  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

To  no  one  does  the  world  owe  so  much  for  this  practical  application  as  to  Dr. 
Morton.  In  fact,  I  am  fully  convinced  that  had  it  not  been  for  the  boldness 
of  that  gentleman  the  world,  to  the  present  hour,  would  have  been  ignorant  of 
these  peculiar  adaptations  of  ether  to  alleviate  human  suffering.  I  say  bold- 
ness now.  In  former  times,  however,  I  said  rashness  ;  for  I  believe  I  may  say, 
without  fear  of  contradiction,  that  the  medical  profession,  as  a  body,  would  have 
fe<ired  death  as  the  result  from  experiments  such  as  are  now  made  daily 
without  the  least  fear.  Dr.  Morton  has  convinced  us  from  error.  Doubtless  he 
received  suggestions  from  other  similar  experiments  made  by  several  individ- 
uals, but  to  his  indomitable  perseverance  do  we  jinally  owe  all  the  essential 
good  which  the  discoverer  has  bestowed  on  man. 

I  hope,  therefore,  that  Dr.  Morton  will  receive  a  tribute  of  respect  from 
Congress  that  shall  be  commensurate  with  the  great  benefits  that  he  has 
bestowed  upon  the  nation. 

I  remain,  very  respectfully,  yours, 

HENRY  I.  BOWDITCH. 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Henry  J.  Bigelow,  professor  in  Harvard  University y 
and  surgeon  in  Massachusetts  General  Hospital. 

Boston,  January  3,  1852. . 

I  trust  that  Dr.  Morton  will  now  at  last  receive  a  substantial  and  liberal 
return  for  his  discovery  that  ether  can  annul  pain — 1  with  safety — with  less 
risk,  for  example,  than  everybody  daily  encounters  either  in  walking  or  riding; 
2,  with  certainty  in  every  case. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  respectfully,  your  ob't  servant, 

HENRY  J.  BIGELOW. 
W.  H.  BissELL,  Chairmany  <^. 


k 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  James  Jacksony  M.  D.y  professor  emeritus  of  theory \i 
and  practice  of  physic  in  the  University  at  Cambridge,  honorary  inember^ 
of  the  Royal  Medico- Chirurgical  Society  of  London,  dec. 

Boston,  January  5,  1852. 

I  have,  nevertheless,  watched  the  new  use  of  ether  and  chlorofonn  with 
great  interest  from  the  first  annunciation  of  this  discovery  by  Dr.  Morton;  and  •., 
1  will  say,  in  general,  that  it  would  be  difficult  to  exaggerate  the   benefits  of 
these  anaesthetic  agents. 

The  great  and  undoubted  benefits  of  ether  are  shown  in  surgical  and  obstetric 
practice;  and  I  believe  these  are  such  as  to  entitle  the  discoverer  of  its  good 
effects,  when  employed  by  inhalation,  to  a  very  large  reward. 
I  am,  sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

JAIMES  JACKSON. 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


I 

T 

\ 

lisr 
fitli 
let 


In  a  communication  to  the  former  committee  of  the  House,  Dr.  Jackson 
says: 

"  In  my  opinion  Dr.  Morton  is  entitled  to  a  grant  from  Congress,  for  the  Dent] 
ether  discovery,  more  than  any  and  all  other  persons  in  the  world." 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Richard  Girdler,  M.  D. 

Boston,  January  27,  1852. 

I  was  present  at  those  operations  when  ether  was  first  administered  at  the 
hospital ;  saw  its  effects  with  admiration  and  astonishment,  and  am  witness  tc 


ODili 


T.    G.   tfbRTOK.  W 

its  snccospfu'  '        t  (  vrry  day;  «n<l  liopo  tin*  ronimittrr  will  report 

InvoraMv  U[>  of  Win.  T.  O.  Mortitn,  i^ho  I  belicvi;  id  cntilkd 

to  i!k'  mi  rii  vt'  the  (iiscovcr}',  and  consoqucntly  ylioidd  receive  a  fitting  reward. 
\'.  I V   ..  -^lu ,  inillv,  sir,  your  obedient  porvant, 

RICHARD  GIRDLER. 
Superintendent  Massachuyrff"  <;»..-  r../  Hospital, 
Hon.  W.  II.  B1S8KLL. 

Extract  of  a    letter  from    George  Ilayward,  M.  />.,  professor  of  Harvard 
University,  and  surgeon  in  Massachusetts  General  Hospital. 

Boston,  January  8,  1852. 

I  cannot  close  this  ktur  without  saying  that  I  regard  sulphuric  ether,  the 
igent  first  used  by  Dr.  Morton,  as  by  far  the  best  anaesthetic  agent;  that  I 
believe  the  world  are  indebted  to  him  for  its  introduction  into  practice  by 
jroving  by  actual  e.'^pcrimeut,  what  was  not  before  known  or  generally  believed, 
Jjat  it  could  be  inhaled  with  siifety. 

I  certainly  reji^ard  this  discovery  as  one  of  the  greatest  of  the  age,  and  fhink 
hat  Dr.  Morton  is  entitled  to  a  liberal  grant  from  our  country  for  the  benefit 
hat  he  haa  conferred  on  the  human  race. 

I  am,  with  much  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

GEO.  UAYWARD. 

Hon,  W.  H.  BissELL. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Thovias  P.  Jackson. 

Boston,  February  4,  1852. 

I  consider  the  <i'  •  and  introduction  of  sulphuric  ether  as  an  anaeesthetic 

igent  to  be  secom:  .i.-covery  in  medical  science,  not  even  to  the  discovery 

f  vaccination,  and  that  we  are  solely  indebfbd  for  its  introduction  by  Dr. 
Nm.  T.  G.  Morton. 

My  opinion  is  that  no  compensation  Congress  can  confer  on  Dr.  Morton  will 
qual  his  deserts,  and  I  really  hope  that  for  once  a  deserving  man  may  receive 
is  recompense  during  his  life,  instead  of  having  a  monument  erected  over  his 
rave.  1  would  say,  in  conclusion,  that  I  have  not  the  slightest  acquaintance 
rith  Dr.  Morton,  and  that  I  believe  it  is  the  general  wish  of  the  profession 
1  this  vicinity  that  Dr.  Morton  shall  receive  some  remuneration  for  tho  benefits 
e  has  conferred  on  sufi'ering  humanity. 
Yours,  respectfully, 

THOS.  P.  JACKSON,  M.  D. 

Hon.  Wm.  U.  Bissell. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  Putnam. 

Boston,  February  14,  1852. 

In  regard  to  the  estimate  in  which  I  hold  it,  (ether,)  I  cannot  perhaps  give  a 

lore  satisfactor}'  proof  than  by  stating  that,  immediately  after  my  first  experi- 

;]k  lents,  1  insisted  on  Dr.  Morton's   acceptance  of  a   small   sum  of  mouey  in 

cknowledgment  of  my  personal  obligation  to  him,  and  as  an  earnest  of  what  I 

Dnsidered  to  be  his  due  from  the  whole  community. 

With  great  respect,  I  am  yours, 

CHAS.  G.  PUTNAM,  M.D, 
The  Committee. 


Ja 


88  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Augustus  A.  Gould,  M.  D. 

Boston,  January  15,  1852. 
I  cannot  but  hope  that  Congress  will  do  something  noble  in  this  case.  Other 
nations  have  already  bestowed  honors  and  emoluments  upon  those  they  have 
deemed  entitled  in  testimonial  of  their  appreciation  of  this  the  greatest  boon 
which  has  yet  been  granted  to  the  keenest  sufferings  of  mankind.  And  it  is  not 
seemly  that  our  own  nation  should  pass  by  in  silence  one  of  the  greatest  and 
most  universally  applicable  discoveries  which  the  world  can  boast  of.  The  per- 
son or  persons  instrumental  in  bestowing  it  deserve  substantial  reward. 

I  have  happened  to  know  every  step  in  the  early  introduction  of  the  use  of 
ether  as  an  anaesthetic  agent.  And  I  am  familiar  with  the  odium,  the  denuncia- 
tions, and  the  persecutions,  and  threatened  persecutions,  which  were  so  liberally 
showered  at  its  introduction.  They  came  from  honest  men,  whose  experience 
had  led  them  to  apprehend  serious  danger.  But  with  firmness  of  purpose,  dis- 
regard of  threats,  and  no  lack  or  stint  of  expense,  the  demonstration  was  soon 
complete,  and  all  rational  opposition  has  long  since  been  silent ;  and  now  it  is 
not  only  a  subject  for  national  pride  and  national  gratitude,  but  it  commands  and 
receives  the  gratitude  of  the  world. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

AUGUSTUS  A.  GOULD 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 

"m 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Albion  S.  Dudley,  M.  D.  |tte 

Boston,  February  3,  1852 
Dr.  Morton  certainly  was  the  first  in  this  city  to  reveal  the  anaesthetic  effects' 
of  the  sulphuric  ether, to  the  public,  and  successfully  introduce  it  into  the  MaS' 
sachusetts  Medical  College,  to  my  certain  knowledge 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  yours,  respectfully,  PP 

,  ALBION  S.  DUDLEY,    f? 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


un! 
ioo 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  A.  L.  Feirson,  M.  JD. 

Salem,  January  17,  1852 

I  have  toiled  through  five  and  thirty  years  of  medical,  and  especially  surgical,! 
practice,  in  a  dense  population,  during  most  of  the  time  in  conscious  need  ol 
some  pain-destroying  remedy,  and  I  hail  the  discovery  of  the  application  of  the 
properties  of  ether  with  devout  gratitude  to  a  beneficent  Creator,  who  has  vouch- 
safed such  a  blessing  to  suffering  humanity;  and  with  sincere  thankfulness  tc 
Dr.  Morton  as  being  the  efficient  and  fortunate  agent  by  whose  means  it  hai 
been  placed  in  the  hands  of  the  medical  profession.  For  although  the  inhala- 
tion of  ether,  to  produce  intoxication,  may  not  have  been  a  new  idea  previous  tc, 
October,  1846,  yet  Dr.  Morton  at  that  time  partially  demonstrated  its  safety, 
utility,  and  applicability  in  making  surgical  operations  painless,  and  was  the 
procuring  cause  of  its  being  now  employed  by  all  classes  of  medical  practitioners  ^^\ 
in  taking  away  that  dread  of  human  nature,  pain.  *^' 

I  have  the  honor  to  Bubscribe  myself,  very  respectfuUy, 

A.  L.  PEIRSON 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


lie 
Dlh'i 


iDlCl, 


DR.  WM.   T.   O.    MeRTOM. 


^tter  from  J.  F.  May,  profestor  of  surgery  National  Medical  College^    Wcuh- 

ington. 

Wasuinoton,  February  10,  1802. 

Sir  :  I  ba?e  received  your  circular  requesting  of  me  ^  answer  to  the  following 
Qquiries :  ... 

l»t.  Is  ether  or  cbloroform  used  as  an  anesthetic  agpnt  in  your  institution? 

2d.  If  used,  to  what  extent,  in  what  classea  of  diseases,  or  of  operations,  and 

ilh  whfit  t'ffect  ? 

3.i.  W}i;it,  in  your  opinion,  is  their  effect  in  diminishing  raoriality  f 

4Lh.  To  what  extent,  in  what  classes  of  cases,  and  with  what  result  are  they 
ised  in  private  practice  in  your  vicinity  f 

5th.  Ii:  what  appreciation  are  they  held  hy  the  medical  faculty  within  yotir 
cnuwled^e  f 

I  reply: 

1st.  Chloric  ether  is  always  used  by  mo  and  my  colleagues  as  an  anesthetic 
.gent  in  every  opeiatioii  of  any  importance  that  is  performed  in  the  Washington 
nfirmarv,  of  which  institution  I  am  one  of  the  surgeons. 

;J.  For  more  than  three  ycara-I  have  constantly  used  it,  both  in  hospital  and  in 
irivate  {rnctice,  and  it  has  never  in  a  single  instaLce  disappointed  me  in  pro- 
uciug  iii>'  nsibility  to  pain,  and  I  have  never  found  its  administration  to  be 
ttended  or  followed  by  any  serious  result.  I  have  givou  it  at  ail  ages,  from  the 
»nder  infant  to  the  old  and  infirm  man,  and  from  a  few  moments  to  more  than 
n  hour  at  a  time.  I  have  performed  under  its  influence  many  of  the  most  im- 
tcrtant  and  capital  operations  of  surgery,  among  which  I  may  mention  lithotomy, 
tranirulated  hernia,  the  removal  of  tumors  from  various  regions,  the  different 
in;m:ation8  of  both  the  upper  and  lower  extremities,  from  the  removal  of  a 
lUger  to  disarticulation  of  the  hip  joint,  <fcc. 

3d.  I  am  perfectly  convinced  that  the  use  of  ansesthetic  agents  has  greatly 
irainished  the  mortality  of  surgicf.!  operations,  and  I  am  prepared  to  say, 
irther,  that  I  would  almost  as  soon  think  of  amputating  a  limb  without  pre- 
iously  compressing  its  principal  artery  as  to  perform  a  difficult  and  dangerous 
perat'-.n  wiihout  first  putting  the  patient  in  an  aLa^tlietic  state.  I  consider 
^  in  f  i<  •.  -  '  iiiii  <^rtarit  an  element  to  the  success  of  the  surgeon  in  severe  and 
3ri:  «hock   to  the  system,  that  I  think    he 

ug  ude  and   danger,  should   he  meet  with 

rcru>:ii  ui.  ili<  part  *j(  the  patient  Uj  be  subjected  to  its  influence.  liut  fortu- 
ately  tl.t-re  ut  ■  lew  who  are  not  only  willing  but  anxious  to  be  soothed  by  the 
n^igic  8[  ell  which,  to  the  virtim,  robs  surgery  of  nearly  all  its  terrors,  and  to 
he  surgeon  biitigs  pleasure,  from  the  knowledge  that  he  inflicts  no  pain. 

4ih.  1  believe  that  all  important  surgical  operations  in  private  practice  in  this 
icinity  are  performed  under  ansesthetic  influence,  and  with  the  results  that  I  have 
hea<!y   m-iitiontd. 

5tb.  1  U  .»eve  that  the  medical  faculty  throughout  the  civilized  world,  where 
na}sthsi.i  has  been  introduced,  consider  it  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  boons  that  has 
VHT  been  given  to  sufl'eritig  man  ;  and  believing  Dr.  Morton   to  be  its  discoverer, 

trust  Le  will  receive  from  government  a  compensation  commensurate  with  the 
mm^nse  beneSt  it  has  conferred  upon  the  human  race. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully,  <kc., 

JNO.  FRED'K  MAY. 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissBLL. 


s 


90  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Alex.  H.  Steevens,  M.  D. 

New  York,  January  5,  1852. 

Without  the  slightest  knowledge  of  Dr.  Morton,  or  of  any  one  connected,  o; 
claiming  to  be  connected,  with  this  discovery,  and  without  assuming  that  he  ii^ii 
mainly  the  discoverer,  which  yet  I  believe,  I  take  leave  to  state  that  the  claimi 
of  scientific  discoverers  to  reward  is  a  strong  one. 

The  community  is  taxed  by  patent  rights  for  inventions  to  the  amount  o 
many  millions  annually.  The  men  of  science  paying  themselves  a  part  of  thes< 
taxes,  and  bringing  to  light,  by  their  unpaid  labors,  scientific  discoveries  fronf 
which  these  inventions  in  a  great  measure  take  their  rise,  are  left  entirely,  ii 
this  country,  without  any  reward  whatsoever  In  Europe  they  are  rewarded 
besides  that  they  are  supported  by  salaries  attached  to  their  membership  of  sci 
entific  institutions. 

In  view  of  these  considerations,  and  looking  not  only  to  what  is  just  as  be 
tween  science  and  government,  but  what  is,  in  a  very  high  degree,  and  alto 
gather  beyond  the  appreciation  of  unlearned  men,  expedient,  as  respects  the 
interest  of  the  government,  liberal  rewards  should  be  given  for  unpatented  dis 
coveries. 

With  very  great  respect,  I  am,  very  truly,  your  obedient  servant, 

ALEX.  H.  STEEVENS 

Hon.  W.  H,  BissELL. 


Ii 


P.  S. — From  an  official  connexion  with  the  three  ^reat  hospitals  in  this  city 
embracing  about  3,000  patients,  I  am  enabled  to  state  that  anaesthetic  agent 
are  generally  used  in  puerperal  cases,  in  painful  chronic  diseases,  in  the  redue 
tion  of  fractures  and  dislocations,  and  in  other  capital  surgical  operations,  man^L 
of  which  are  rendered  more  successful,  and  not  a  few  only  practicable  by  the' 
use.  I  consider  it  the  greatest  discovery  in  medicine  since  that  of  Jenner.  1\  i^ 
is  to  the  healing  art  what  steam  navigation,  electro-magnetism,  and  railroac 
travelling  are  to  commercial  and  social  communications. 

A.  H.  S. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Hugh  H.  McGuire,  M.  D. 

Winchester,  Virginia. 

I  regard  the  discovery  of  anaesthetic  agents  the  most  important  discover 
made  in  surgery  for  the  last  century.  It  is  also  entirely  American  ;  for  althoug] 
attempts  have  been  made  for  a  long  time  to  destroy  sensibility  to  surgical  ope 
rations,  no  approximation  was  made  to  it  until  it  was  discovered,  in  Boston,  tha 
sulphuric  ether  would  produce  total  insensibility.  Now,  it  has  been  the  prac 
tice  in  all  enlightened  countries  to  reward  important  discoveries  in  a  very  libera 
manner,  I  do  hope  that  an  American  Congress  will  not  fail  to  follow  the  ex 
ample.  The  use  of  these  agents  have  become  so  common  and  general  through 
out  Europe,  that  a  late  distinguished  professor,  of  Philadelphia,  during  a  vis: 
to  Europe,  was  constantly  asked  if  it  was  possible  any  surgeons  in  Americ 
could  be  found  opposed  to  them.  I  have  no  hesitation  in  stating  that  not  onl 
is  pain  avoided,  but  many  lives  saved  by  their  use ;  for  the  nervous  shock,  i 
consequence  of  serious  operations,  not  unfrequently  ends  in  death.  This  i 
avoided  by  anesthesia.         ♦##*#* 

It  would  be  just  and  proper  to  make  him  a  liberal  pension  for  it.     It  woul 
not  only  be  an  incentive  and  stimulus  to  further  discoveries  in  this  extcnsiv 
field  of  Fcience,  but  redound  to  the  credit  oj  the  government,  here  and  abroad. 
Very  truly,  your  friend, 

HUGH  H.  McGUIRE, 

Professor  of  Surgery. 

Hon.  Ghas.  J.  Faulkner. 


DR.   WM.    T.    O.    MOETON.  "91 

Jacob    '  ^^    I'  ■  \      '    ,,y   of  ArU   an'  <»,  pro- 

essor   iii  ,  laseachusetls  (.  iospital, 

0  a  letler  to  IIou.  W.  II.  Diftsell,  t»ayb  : 

"  It  is  considered  by  myself,  and   by  the  more  intelligent  part  of  my  medical 
Hends,  as  the  most  important  medical  discovery  of  the  present  age." 

In  nn   article  published  in  the  Medical  and   Surgical  Journal  of  July  7,  1847, 
e  says  : 

*'In  tlie  case  of  Dr.  Jackson,  if  he  did  make  the  tliscovery  in  1842,  as  asserted, 
T  even  later,  he  stands  accountable  for  the  mass  of  human  misery  which  he  has 
j  ermitted  his  fellow-creatures  to  undergo,  from  the  time  when  he  made  his  dis- 
j  ivery  to  the  time  when  Dr.  Morton  made  his.  In  charity  we  prefer  to  believo 
m  Ut,  up  to  the  latter  period,  he  had  no  definite  notion  of  the  real  power  of  ether 
Ti  surgery,  having  seen  no  case  of  its  application  in  that  science." 

Letter  from  Professor  Simpson^  the  discoverer  of  chloroform. 

Edinburgh,  November  19,  1847. 

Mr  Dear  Sib:  I  have  much  pleasure  in  offering,  for  your  kind  ac(«?ptance,  the 

CConip?inyin»T  pamphlet.     Since   it  was  published,    we   have   had    v.Hiious  other 

norations  performed  here,  equally  successful.     I  have  a  note   from   Mr.  Liston, 

nor  me  also  of  its  perfect  success  in  London.     Its   rapidity   and  depth  are 

,.  .i/.ing;. 

'i  In  the  Monthly  Journal  of  Medical  Science  for  September,  I  have  a  long  article 

-4n  etherizHtion,  vindicating  your  claims  over  those  of  Jackson. 

Of  course,  the  great  thought  is  that  of  producing  insensibility;  and    for  that 
""Jjie  world  is,  I  think,  indebted  to  you. 

I  read  a  paper  lately  to  our  society,  showing  that  it  was   recommended  by 
^inv,  (tc,  in  old  times. 

With  very  great  esteem  for  you,  allow  me  to  subscribe  myself, 
Yours,  very  faithfully, 

J.  Y.  SIMPSON. 
Dr.  W.  T.G.  Morton. 


er 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  J.  Parhnan,  M.  D.,  of  Boston. 


Life  may  also  be  saved  from  the  more  ready  eubmispion  of  the  patients  to 
ecessary  oporationn,  since  they  can  be  assund  that  they  are  paimes?.     And 
\  lasmucli  as  pain  and  spa.-^m  do  destroy  life,  it  is  fair  to  prc:?umc  that  agents  re- 
:ng  the.^c  must  diminish  mortiility. 

11  private  practice  in  this  city  an.Tsthctic  agents  arc  in  universal  use  in  all 
:ieal  oporationi*,  and  al.-^o  in  all  the  operations  of  midxcifcry.  They  are  in 
«•  general  use  in  all  diseases  rt^quiring  an  antidote  to  pain  and  spasm,  as 
of  the  means  to  allay  them,  and  some  practitioners  use  them  in  all  cases  of 


nnrtlu 


I  remain,  very  respectfully. 

J.  PARKMAN, 
One  of  the  Surgeons  of  the  Mass.  Gen.  Hospital, 
Hon.  W.  n.  BiSSELL. 

in) 

jiit  Extract  of  a  letter  from  S.  D.  Totcnsend,  M.  D.,  of  Boston. 

It  has  been  used  almost  daily  for  diseases  of  a  spasmodic  and  painful 
laracter,  and  in  all  surgical  operations,  with  the  effect  of  relic\*ing  pain  and 
inihilating  perfectly  all  suffering  in  surgical  operations.    I  believe  it  diminishes 


92  r>R.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

mortality,  by  relieving  spasmodic  diseases,  and  preventing  the  severe  shock  oi  "*' 
Burgical  operations.     In  private  practice  it  has  been  used  to  the  same  extent 
and^  in  the  same  classes  of  cases,  and  with  the  saniti  result  as  occurring  in  the 
Massachusetts   General  Hospital,  with  the  addition  of  cases^  of  midwifery,  in 
which  it  prevents  the  sensation  of  pain,  without  retarding  delivery. 
Verv  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

•^       ^  S.  D.  TOWNSEND, 

One  of  the  Surgeons  of  the  Mass.  Gen,  Hospital, 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  S.  Mason  Warren,  M.  £>.,  of  Boston. 


Sulphuric  ether  and   strong  chloric  ether  are  used  at  the  Massachusetts^ 
General  HospitaL     Chloroform  is  not  used.  ^  ^  . 

The  above  substances  are  used  in  almost  every  surgical  operation,  and  iijjj 
many  diseases  attended  with  severe  pain.  I  have  seen  them  exhibited  in  more 
than  two  thousand  cases,  including  hospital  and  private  practice,  and  neve: 
with  any  bad  result.  By  preventing  the  severe  shock  to  the  system  in  surgica 
operations,  it  is  probable  that  they  have  an  influence  in  diminishing  mortality 
In  surgical  operations  in  private  practice,  I  have  used  the  chloric  and  sulphuri( 
ethers,  principally  the  former ;  also  in  many  obstetric  cases,  and  to  relieve  suf 
fering  in  painful  diseases,  often  as  a  substitute  for  opium;  and  I  believe  then 
to  be  used  by  most  other  practitioners  of  Boston  and  the  vicinity,  for  the  samij 
purposes,  and  with  a  satisfactory  result.  I 

Very  respectfully,  yours,  I 

^       ^  S.  MASON  WAEREN, 

One  of  the  Surgeons  of  the  Mass.  Gen.  Hospital. 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  John  Ware,  M.  D.,  of  Boston. 


k 


Their  most  important  use  is  in  the  practice  of  midwifery.  They  are  employe 
very  generally  in  severe,  proti-acted,  and  dangerous  cases.  My  belief  is,  fror 
my  own  experience,  and  from  the  concurrent  testimony  of  all  practitioners  wit^ 
whose  opinions  I  am  conversant,  that  they  not  only  diminish,  and  sometime 
annihilate,  tlie  suffering  which  is  attendant  on  parturition,  but  that  they  lessen  als 
the  dread  of  it,  which  is  so  strong  a  feeling  in  the  minds  of  females;  and  furthei 
that  they  render  patients  less  liable  to  the  subsequent  ill  effects  of  sever 
labors,  especially  those  in  which  the  use  of  instruments  are  necessary. 

I  have  employed  or  seen  them  employed  in  asthma,  in  croup,  in  convulsions  c 
chiklren  and  adults,  in  neuralgia,  in  the  spasmodic  affections  of  fever,  and  i 
miiuy  other  cases  of  a  more  indefinite  character,  into  the  description  of  whic 
it  is  not  now  necessary  to  your  purpose  to  enter.  I  have  also  employed  thci 
with  signal  advantage  to  alleviate  the  sufferings  which  occur  toward  the  close  c 
life,  or  in  the  act  of '  death,  in  patients  who  have  had  irrecoverable  diseases. 

Their  introduction  is  regarded  by  all  practitioners  within  ray  circle  of  ac 
quaintance,  whose  o])inions'  1  should  regard  as  of  value,  as  the  most  importaiJijfff 
discovery  in  practical  medicine  and  surgery,  which  has  been  made  since  that  0|  '^ 
vaccination  by  Dr.  Jeuner. 

■     T  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

•^       ^  ^   ^  JOHN  WARE. 


Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  J.  S.  Jones,  M.  D.,  of  Boston. 

In  the  private  practice  in  my  vicinity  the  use  of  these  anaesthetic  agents 
quite  common  in  dentistry,  in  midwifery,  and  scarcely  any  operation  of  sui'gcr 


^flil 


DR.  WM.  T.  G.  MorroK.  93 

i8  perform.d  without  its  use.     The  rcdnction  of  dislocations  and  tho  adnntation 

"J^7  '  "  '    '"   ^^'''  "-^^'^^^  of  rthrr.   bcpidcfl  the 

*™*™  ^"^^^"'^  1  person  Mhen  undor  its  effects'. 

li    \Kcliuily,  youiji, 

TT      w  XT  T,  ^-  ^-  'JONES, 

lion.  W.  H.  BissELL. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  2.  B,  Adams,  M.  D.,  of  Boston. 

It  is  almost  unifonnlv  u5od.  both  in  public  and  private  practice,  in  dcntigtr\' 
in  mulwifrry,  and  in  all  sur  •     '  n.  ;  also  to  causo  muscular  relaxation 

in  the  rodnction  of  hernii  minently  successful  in  cn.ses  of  convul- 

»?ion8  after  delivery,  and  in  ulltviiiiii-  the  excruciating  pain  cau.>^ed  by  the  pae- 
'air.'  of  calculi  throu-h  the  ureters.  It  is  an  exceedin-ly  rare  thin-  to  heaVcf 
IS  or  even  serious  efl  ,  the  use  of  cither  ether  or  "chloroform 

cts  arc  almost  inc.- 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

TT        TXT    TT    T.  Z.  L.  ADAMS. 

Hon.  W.  n.  BissELL. 

Extract  from  a  letter  written  by  Dr,  John  Jeffries,  physician  to  the  Massachu- 
setts Gi  neral  Hospital. 

For  my  opinion  of  the  benefits  bestowed  upon  the  world  by  Dr  Morton 
.<c  allow  me  to  refer  you  to  a  note  addressed  bv  mc  to  ihi  Hon.  R.  G.  Wi-i- 


DrAforton,  who  visits  Washington  to  seek  some  remuneration  from  gov- 
jniment  for  tliebeneht  which  he  h;is  conferred  upon  the  country  by  the  Intro- 
uction  of  .ulphum-  ether,  requests  me  to  .vn.o..  to  you  mv  opinion  (which  I 
10  r  fi^^y)  tliat  the  world  is  i,  .  „tirely  to  Dr.  Morton  for  the 

mr..^  ,  this  agent  to  produce  ins,  i:...,Hny  to  pain,  rind  t^at  it  is  a  phy- 

ical  blessing  not  second  to  any  that  ha.s  been  conferred  upoa  .u{\.  v  :vr  Lumanitv 
-I  smcer.ly  hope  that  Dr.  Morton  will  ix.-ceive  somi  ivinuncraTion  for  his 
V  great  luiietaction. 

"  With  high  respect,  your  obedient  servant, 

■Uon.R.C.W«NT„„oP.  JOHN  JKFFRIES. 

•'  Speaker  if  the  House  of  Bepresentatives." 


Oliver  W.  Holnips  the  distinguished  poet,  and  a  physiciau  .,  .... 
held  the  following  language  iu  an  opening  ad 

-The  knifr  i.  fu^archinp:  for  disease  the  pulleys  are  dragr^'ng  back  dislocated 
'7"V  h'  '  '"'^^      .  P""^!  *^"'^*^'  '*'^''^*^  doomed  the  tend.r- 


it  of  h. 
4llffe: 


upest  r.f  her  trials;   but  the  fierce  exti-emity  of 
,  I'*^^*  >"  tic  waters  of  forget  fulness,  and  the  deepest  furrow 

"^    '^  ^      I  agony  has  been  smoothed  forever." 

Again,  in  a  communication  to  the  Hon.  Isaac  E.  Morse,  he  says: 

nI-lL!!/.r'';[''"'y''"'^.'''^''"^  nndisputed  fact  that  Doctor  Morton  in  pon«on 
ostitmed  the  first  decisive  experiments,  at  the  risk  of  ]  '  '      ■ 

.courage  and  perseverance, without  which,  even  had  tl 

f  su.l.  effects  been  entertained,  the  worid  might  have  waited  ccmurics  or  inl 
>   belore  the  result  was  reached. 
it  io  well  known  that  Dr.  Morton,  instead  of  profiting  by  his  discovery,  has 


94  DR.  WM.   T.    G.   MOETON", 

suffered  in  mind,  body  and  estate,  in  consequence  of  the  tinoe  and  toil  he  haa 
consecrated  to  it. 

"  I  have  no  particular  relations  with  Dr.  Morton,  and  no  interest  in  commoii 
with  hitn  to  bias  me  in  my  opinion  and  feelings.  But,  remembering  what  othei 
countries  have  done- for  their  public  benefactors,  and  unwilling  to  believe  that  f 
rich  and  prosperous  republic  cannot  afford  and  will  not  incline  to  indulge  hi 
gratitude  whenever  a  proper  occasion  presents  itself,  I  have  addressed  you  this 
ine  to  tell  you  that  I  think  now  is  the  time  and  this  is  the  man. 

"0.  W.  HOLMES. 

"Hon.  Isaac  E.  Morse." 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Geo,B.  Loring^  M.  D.^  Salerriy  Mass. 

It  is  one  month  since  I  had  charge  of  the  Marine  Hospital,  Chelsea,  Massa 
chusetts;  and  any  statement  based  on  personal  experience  must  be  founded  upo! 
my  practice  there. 

In  all  operations,  in  all  painful  natural  processes,  in  all  diseases  attended  wfti 
great  local  suffering,  the  intelligent,  and  philanthropic  physician  avails  himself  of^ 
the  great  blessing.     And  while  so  much  suffering  is  relieved,  it  cannot  be  doubte< 
— in  fact,  it  is  satisfactorily  proved — that  mortality  attending  these  operations 
processes,  and  diseases,  is  materially  diminished. 

As  the  interrogatories  addressed  to  me  have  grown  out  of  an  inquiry  into  tb< 
"  claims  of  Wm.  T.  G.  Morton,  of  Boston,  to  the  merit  of  the  discovery,"  it  ma^ 
be  proper  to  state  to  the  committeee  that  its  credit  has  been  from  the  earlies 
date  almost  universally  accorded  to  Dr.  Morton  by  those  of  the  profession  wb< 
Lave  given  it  their  careful  investigation.  During  its  development,  the  surgeons  anc 
officers  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital  examined  its  merits  under  the  spe 
ciftl  guidance  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  with  a  full  recognition  of  his  sole  agency  h 
the  practical  experiments  which  were  leading  to  its  establishment.  And  noTil'^' 
that  those  events  have  passed  into  history,  the  historire  of  the  hospital  records!  s* 
as  a  fact  fixed  by  all  reliable  testimony  that  Dr.  Morton  is  the  discoverer. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  is  the  verdict  of  the  immediate  locallt) 
ia  which  the  discovery  was  made ;  and  any  recognition  fi*om  abroad  of  Dr.  Jack 
son's  claims  to  it  is  no  more  than  should  be  expected  from  the  scientific  work 
towards  any  pertinacious  and  untiring  claimant  holding  his  highposition,  be  tht 
claims  true  or  false. 

GEO.  B.  LORING. 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 

Extract  from  a  letter  written  hy  Dr.  Francis  Boott,  of  London.. 

I  was  much  interested  in  the  discussion  of  the  ether  question,  and  entirely 
agree  with  you  in  your  conclusion.  I  should  say,  as  in  the  case  of  the  yacht 
race,  ''Morton  is  first,  and  Jachson  nowhcre.^^  I  am  glad  to  find  you  are  making 
a  gallery  of  portraits  of  your  benefactors  and  distinguished  medical  men,  anc 
Morton's  should  be  among  them.    I  still  hope  Congress  will  reward  him.  . 

Hon.  H.  W.  BissELL. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  S.  Paris,  M.  D.,  of  Greenshoro\  Alabama.  p, 

The  medical  faculty  appreciate  it  highly,  and  seem  at  a  loss  to  know  bov  !^ 
they  would  practice  without  it,  nor  could  a  man  be  sustained  by  his  medica  J'' 
brethren  or  the  community  who  would  refuse  to  use  it.  In  fine,  it  is  to  tb  , ' 
medical  professsion  the  greatest  discovery  of  modern  times,  hardly  exceptinj  ^' 
quinine. 

Very  respectfully,  ^ 

S.  PARIS.     ^'1 

Hon.  W.  n.  BiSSELL. 


DB  WM.  T.  a  Mtnam,  95 


Eztraet  of  a  letter  from  Jamts  Ayer^  M.  D.,  of  Boston. 

T-  '  •  ■  ■     ■'        '  .    .       -      -'    ,,r. 

Ac'  \y 

Xai:  "  iisi'«l  ill  s- 

Inn  ,  .  and   in  1 1  •  w- 

I.     A  j^reat  vnrHty  ot  ca.^OH  in  inifiwitory,  as  well  a.-*  Iiystoria  and  convul- 

,r,  and  niativ  other  painful  di^easos  which  might  be  added  fo  tliis  Ijfjt,  arc 

ery  cssiutially  rcdievcd  by  these  remedies. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

JAMES  AYER. 
Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  P.  M.  Crane^  M,  D.,  of  East  Boston. 


In  nearly  all  the  oporationi*  of  Piirfrery  which  are  likely  to  bo  attended  with 

in,  either  chloric  ether,  sulphuric  etlif^r,  or  chloroform,  is  used     So  uniform  is 

JkiQ  belief  in  their  utility  that  ii  i  at  the  present  time  would  do  without 

iB  ^em.     In  obstetric  practice  th»  ;  -->  extensively  u.-?ed  whore  cases  occur 

iquiring  instruin  ference,  but  arc  not  much  employed  in  natural  labor. 

Willi  :  respect, 

P.  M.  CRANE. 
•A  Hon.  \y.  U.  BissELL. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  John  H.  Dix,  M.  D.,  of  Boston. 


•;,   In  all  painful  operations  upon  the  ji^lobe  of  the  eye  and  its  appendages  these 

,J  ^ntA  afford  incalculable  relief,  both  physically  and  mentally.      The  severe 

^  xjrations  upon  the  intomal  text  '  ''        '  '       '     lie  eye,  not  in  themselves 

linful,  but  requiring  for  their  -  ,  ••  absolute  immobility  of 

*  irents  insure  what,  m  young  subjects  especially,  was  heretofore 

1  to. 

'A  iu  the  few  ,  .'     '  ,   :  ,;,jrQr  life,  I  find  from 

3c  use  of  tin  '  'ry  action  within  the 

Hauium,  and   the:  -   hazard  to  lil'e.     lu  aural  burgery,  though  not  fre- 

lientlv  reuuired,  a  lic  agents  arc  of  great  value,  chiefly  in  the  removal 

wths  from  the  external  or  internal  ear.     I  believe  that  no  other  dis- 

,\x.j,   ...  ...i.  whole  range  of  medicine  and  surgery  (with  the  exception,  perhaps, 

vaccination)  has  iu  the  same  time  contributed  so  much  to  relieve  suffering 
d  prolong  lile. 

Yours,  respectftJly, 
^^  JOHN  11.  DiX. 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissBLL. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  John  Applcton,  M.  D.,  West  Newbury,  Mass. 

I  liavc  lately  obserred  a  good  effect  follow  the  inhalation  of  chloroform  during 

paroxysm  of  severe  suffering  from  dysmenorrhea,  in  which  relief  was  almo?i 

itantaneous. 

^  It  is,  however,  in  obstetric  practice  that  I  have  most  frequently  used  these 
***  hiable  agents,  and  I  regard  their  useftdness  in  this  relation  as  among  the  most 
^  *  hiable  results  of  their  discovery. 
■i**!  Respectfully,  yours,  &c. 

JOHN  APPLETON. 

iHon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


96  DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  L.  B.  Morse,  M.  D.,  Boston,  Mass. 

They  are  used  in  most  cases  of  impoi-tant  or  capital  surgery,  in  many  cases  o 
delirium  tremens,  tetanus,  and  similar  neuralgic  diseases,  and  in  dental  surgery 
also  by  some  of  our  medical  practitioners  in  common  use  in  midwifery. 

It  diminishes  mortality  in  three  ways :  1st  In  severe  surgical  operations,  b"" 
entire  relief  from  ne'rvous  excitability  and  reaction  which  attend  them;  2d.  B* 
giving  time  for  the  use  of  the  knife,  and  the  careful  completion  of  a  dangerou 
operation,  in  the  perfect  quietude  of  the  patient ;  3d.  The  rest  recured  by  som 
patients  in  certain  neuralgic  diseases  which,  if  not  attained,  death  is  the  resub 
I  am,  sir,  your  obedient  servant, 

L.  B.  MORSE. 
Hon.  H.  W.  BissELL. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  L.  H.  Anderson,  M.  D.,  Sumterville,  Ala. 


I  think  anaesthetics  diminish  mortality  in  two  ways  :  1st.  By  preventing  th 
shock  of  pain  on  the  nervous  system;  2d.  By  securing  perfect  immobility  (j^, 
the  patient,  and  enabling  the  surgeon  to  operate  more  safely  and  exactly.  ^' 

I  am,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

L.  H.  ANDERSON,  M,  D. 
Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


ap 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  S.  Blanding,  M.  D.,  Columbia,  S.  0. 


Its  use  has  induced  patients  to  submit  to  the  knife  early ;  when  otherwig 
ihey  would  have  resulted  fatally. 

I  consider  it  one  of  the  most  important  discoveries  of  the  age  in  mitigatinj^ 
human  suffering,  and  often  in  saving  life. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  yours,  &c., 

S.  BLANDING. 
Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL. 


111] 


lllid 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  William  Ellis,  M.  D.,  Oglethorpe,  Ga, 

It  is  my  deliberate  opinion,  founded  upon  experience,  that  their  effects      j' 
diminishing  mortality  is  more  than  fifty  to  one,  for,  if  properly  administere;  ^^'' 
the  effect  is  to  take  away  all  fear  from  the  patient,  and  absolutely  free  the  ne  J! 
vous  system  from  irritation,  and  thereby  prevent  any  interruption  in  the  vario  ' 
organs  in  performing  their  functions  naturally,  and  of  course  healthily. 

In  private  practice  its  most  happy  and  beneficial  effects  is  in  obstetric 
nothing  is  or  can  be  of  so  much  value  to  a  woman  in  labor  in  proportion  to  t 
difficulty  attending  labor;  so  is  its  benefits,  and  if  in  no  other,  in  this  class 
cases  alone,  it  is  the  greatest  discovery  in  any  age  of  the  world  for  the  relief 
suffering  humanity.  Deprive  me  of  its  benefits,  and  I  should  almost,  if  r  ^"^ 
altogether,  abandon  my  profession.  ^J 

WILLIAM  ELLIS.  »^«f 

Hon.  W.  H.  BissELL.  ^«^- 

'fill  in 


fiWmi;'»T.'"G-.»«)l<WN.  "97 


i 


.  n 

■itvcry  1-  ,11   iadt 

its  rif^e  up  and 
;;^   iL.r   hini.-.t  It    pi'  '     "  "  •  it 


but  ^'f  afvcnil  c'1  1 


le 


lie  ciry  n  i,  ;«n(l  t«  of  Dr.  Murton,  with  wlioiji  li  •  iial 

;c(!  .-oiut    \  mvsi  ill  kiu' 

<  Dr.  Morton  had  perlcctcd  his  discovery,  olitaincd  the  r  ice 

,,r  tT,..   io,.,1;c.|  Iw.^iiifal,  and  made  up  hii*  mind  to  .^j  j  .^.    . -r  a 

1  with  Dr.  Weils,  and  the  followiniir' letter:? 


Boston.  October  19.  IS46. 


1  wn-  ■  tn  infm-m  y*":  i :.  ■-  I  ',.;■. 

d 

■^  thrown  intr>  .-i  ^oiuid  sif 

•[..     The 

A'  moment?,  nnd  thr^  tinn' 

in  which 

I  at  plc.isnre.     Wliili>  in  tliis 

>\.r.  '  the 

1}'  ho  pcrf'onfiif^d,  thf  pnti'Tit 

)Mt  >  vpe- 

■''? 

! 

lU 

alono,  or  for  a  town,  cotmr 

'■r. 

you  wonM  Tiot  ]il<e  to  visi; 

■rk 

•rs  tipotl  .^               1  hdvo  us 

:n- 

-'^■\v  cii^'  -,  M,   ,  \;' ♦'"■'  ' 

.  ..wl  1 

ill  the  "Mas3ac] 

IHos- 

,ird,  have  ct\ 

fo  this 

^   " 

'  "nta 

;.  by   liJ. 

I   to  JtrO' 
remain  .i- 
<T!r2'if"i1 


\-i(lnrd  t  1  his  own 

iiLy  ohject  ii;  .........  }  on  i^  to 
\n(\  the  other  citie.^,  and  (^ 
A  ; »i.....    ..„,.    1 


.it-r 
tiom  the  daily  jounicJs  oi"  this  city, 

"WM.  T.  G.  MOKTOK-.'^ 

•.      ,  ,1 

♦^11  \t:TFORn,  Connecticut,  Oct^er ^,  1846. 

dated  yestorday  U  ]\\-  d. 

I  ii.i:-n  11  1-1  .ui-»vi  I  It,  i-»i  i  ii-.it   ^>  uu   will  adopt  a  method  iri  <!  of 

;r  rights  which  will  defeat  your  ohject.     Before  you  make  ati^  ar  -rs 

itever  I  wish  t                        T     'ink  I  will  be  in  Boston   tl.     '  i,«>xt 

k — probabh'  '                                ii   the  operation  of  admiuist.  i^as  is 

id  will  pi 
.  jvided  ii  . 


Two  thing>»  in  thi!«  r  idene^  are  worthy  of  ftl 

.  Morton  <1  •     -    1  1 

esthetic  a_ 


7 


Dr.  Morton  .  >r 

1  liep.  Lu.u.  ^^' < 


98  DB.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

Wells's  friends  for  the  nitrons  oxide,  as  administered  hj  him  in  the  winter 
1844-'5. 

Hon.  Mr.  Dixon  (now  United  States  senator  from  Connecticut)  testifies  the 
having  seen  the  correspondence  published  among  Dr.  Morton's  papers,  he  a 
plied  to  Dr.  Wells  for  an  explanation  of  it.  That  explanation  will  be  four 
in  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Dixon,  and  may  be  disposed  of  with  the  remark  th 
it  is  evidently  unsatisfactory  on  the  face  of  it.  The  point  for  which  that  tes- 
mony  is  now  referred  to  is  simply  to  show  that  Dr.  Wells  admitted  th©  gen 
ineness  of  the  correspondence,  as  hereinbefore  quoted,  from  "  A  an  examinati( 
of  the  question  of  anaesthesia,  arising  on  the  memorial  of  Charles  Thomas  Wei] 
representative  of  Horace  Wells,"  which  your  committee  have  carefully  examine 

How,  then,  can  the  letter  of  Dr.  Wells  of  October  20,  1846,  be  reconcil< 
with  the  pretensions  now  put  forth  for  him? 

The  letter  of  Dr.  Morton,  to  which  it  is  a  reply,  distinctly  claims  as  his  di 
covery  (then  reocmtly  made)  the  very  fact  which,  on  behalf  of  Dr.  Wells,  . 
before  quoted,  is  claimed  to  be  the  whole  discovery,  and  the  only  discovery 
any  worth  or  value,  viz :  the  fact  of  the  actual  effective  application  of  son 
one  or  more  of  a  class  of  agents  to  the  purpose  of  producing  insensibility 
pain  under  surgical  Operations,  with  safety  to  the  subject  of  them. 

According  to  the  proposition  on  behalf  of  Wells,  (and  his  whole  case  depem 
absolutely  upon  its  admission,)  the  particular  agent  used  is  unimportant  to  tl 
discovery — the  discovery  being  the  truth  that  such  insensibility  was  produc< 
by  one  or  more  agents  of  a  class  of  agents.  But  it  is  simply  the  result — 1]|  ^^ 
fact  of  insensibility  to  pain — which  Dr.  Morton  claims  in  that  letter  to  ha 
discovered  as  producible  by  something  which  he  does  not  describe  or  disclos 

Can  it  be  disputed  that  this  was  a  direct  claim,  advanced  by  Dr.  Morton 
Dr.  Wells  himself,  of  the  whole  body  of  the  discovery  which  is  now  claim( 
for  Wells  ]     And  can  it  be  doubted  that  if  that  discovery,  or  anything  like 
was  then  the  property  of  Wells,  his  reply  must  have  referred  to  it,  if  it  did  nl 
effectually  guard  his  right  ]  ! 

Yet  Dr.  Wells  says :  *'  Iff"  the  operation  of  administering  the  gas  is  «i 
attended  ivith  too  much  trouble,  and  WILL  produce  the  effect  you  stat 
it  wiU  undoubtedly  be  a  fortune  to  you,  provided  it  be  rightly  managed  I 
Then  why,  it  may  be  asked,  if  nitrous  oxide,  which  is  easily  administere  ipi 
produced  precisely  the  same  effect,  was  it  not  a  fortune  to  Dr.  Wells  ?  N(  ipi 
certainly,  for  want  of  ekill  in  the  management  of  a  discovery  so  as  to  mal  h 
the  most  of  it,  for  he  fears  Dr.  Morton  will  adopt  an  injudicious  method  |k 
disposing  of  his  rights,  against  which  Dr.  Wells  intimates  he  can  guard  hi]  k 
And  his  conversation  with  R.  H.  Eddy,  at  the  time  of  his  visit  to  Boston,  is 
keeping  with  the  letter,  and  shows  very  clearly  that  he  thought  a  patent  ougi  tet 
to  be  applied  for,  whether  the  subject  was  practicable  or  not,  and  that  sales  <l  for 
rights  should  be  made  pending  the  application  for  the  patent. 

This  may  be  all  well,  but  it  did  not  prove  him  a  novice  in  these  matters.  H 
Eddy's  statement  is  as  follows :  ^ 

"Boston,  February  17,  1847.  jj 
"  Dear  Sir  :  In  reply  to  your  note  of  this  morning  I  have  to  state  that,  abo  t>rj 
the  time  I  was  engaged  in  preparing  the  papers  for  the  procural  of  the  patei  ^ 
in  the  United  States  on  the  discovery  of  Doctor  Morton  for  preventing  pain 
surgical  operations  by  the  inhalation  of  the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether,  1  was  i 
quested  by  Doctor  Morton  to  call  at  his  office  to  have  an  interview  with  the  1 
Doctor  Horace  Wells,  who  was  then  on  a  visit  to  this  city,  and  who,  Doci  ^ 
Morton  thought,  might  be  able  to  render  him  valuable  advice  and  assistance 
regard  to  the  mode  of  disposing  of  privileges  to  use  the  discovery.  According! 
I  had  an  interview  with  Doctor  Wells.  During  such  meeting,  we  convers 
freely  on  the  discorery  and  in  relation  to  the  experiment*  Doctor  Wells  k 


ii,tl 
Bo 


n 


DB.   WM.   T.   O.   MORTON.  99 

witiiePF  to  in  tho  ofDco  of  Doctor  Morton.     ll\o  dctailncf  onr  convoraation 

do  nnt  rceolhct  pnfTiciontly  to  attempt  to  relate  them,  but  tho  whoh' of  it,  and 

e  mftiincr  of  !)•  ^"^  '  the  time,  led  me,  in  no  respect,  to  any  HUMpicion 

at  he  (Doitur  W  ■  r  before  been  aware  of  the  then  dincoven-d  etlect 

Qtlier  in  annulling  pain  during  a  i»urgic»il  openition.     Doctor  Welln  doubted 

ii-he  ability  of  Doctor  Morton  to  procure  a  patent,  not  on  the  ground  that  he 

■  '  K'tor  ^lorton)  was  not  the  first  and  original  iliscovcrer,  but  that  he  (Doctor 

-  Up)  believed  the  discovery  wap  not  a  legal  subject  for  a  patent,     lie  advised 

II,  however,  to  make  application  for  one,  and  to  dispose  ot  a.'^  many  licenses  afl 

lould,  while  pocli  application  might  be  pending;  in  fact,  to  make  aa  much 

ncy  out  of  the  dipcovery  as  he  could  while  the  excitement  in  regard  to  it 

L::ht  \a*ii.     I  must  confess  that  when,  pome  time  afterward.**,  I  heard  of  the 

'  tenpionp  of  Doctor  Wells  to  be  considered  the  discoverer  of  the  aforementioned 

'  ot  of  ether,  I  was  struck  with  great  surprise,  for  hi?  whole  conversation  with 

.    at  the  time  of  our  interview  led  me  to  the  belief  that  h(*  fully  and  entirely 

,  •ecMrrni/ed   the   discovery  to  have  be^n  made  by  Doctor  Morton,  or,  at  least, 

n:>fLrtl\   ly  him  and  partly  by  Doctor  0.  T.  Jaekeon,  as  I  then  supposed. 

"  Kespeotfully  yours, 

-  R.  n.  EDDY. 
R.  H.  Dana,  Esq." 

It  seems  evident  here,  at  the  very  thrcshhold,  that  Doctor  Wells  did  not,  on 

1"*  20th  of  October,  1S4G,  believe  himself  to  be  the  discoverer  of  an  available 

Txthetic  agent.     But  on  tlie  I9th  of  April,  1847,  after  he  has  determined  the 

I  iile  to  discovery  with  Doctor  Morton,  he  addressed  the  following  letter  to  the 

.  j  io.^ton  Post,  in  which   he  very  greatly  misrepresenta  the   contents  of  Doctor 

-■^dorton's  letter  to  him,  as  any  one  will  be  satisfied  on  an  inspection  of  the  two 

papers,  and  on  that  misrepresentation  rcete  the  explanation  of  his  reply : 

[4. 

•*  Hartford,  April  19,  1847. 
^^*Tnthc  Editor  of  the  Boston  Post  : 

AT  "I  have  just  seen  a  long  article  in  your  paper  of  the  7th  instant,  signed  •  E.  W  . 
rp(J  rbich  1  will  answer  in  one  word.  The  letter  which  is  there  introduced  with  ray 
1^1^  Bgn-ature  was  written  in  answer  to  one  which  I  received  from  Dr.  Morton,  who 
Xo  •presented  to  me  that  he  had  discovered  a  •  compound,'  the  effects  of  which,  aa 
ribed  by  him,  entirely  eclipsed  those  produced  by  nitrous  oxide  gas,  or  suJ- 
urate  ether,  he  stating  that  his  compound  would  invariably  produce  a  sound 
ip,  the  length  of  which  was  wholly  optional  with  the  operator ;  that  he  had 
made  a  single  failure  in  one  hundred  and  sixty  cases,  &;c.,  &;c.  He  also 
that  he  had  obtained  a  patent  for  this  compound.  I  accordingly  started 
Boston  to  learn  more  of  this  improvement  on  my  discorery,  with  which  1  had 
nade  him  acf|uainted  long  before. 

While  at  his  office  I  saw  the  80-called  componnd  administered  to  a  patient ;  it 
jipparently  had  the  Baine  effect  as  the  gas  which  I  had  many  times  administered 
\m  the  saiTir  purpose.  Before  I  left  for  home  the  gas  was  given  to  several  other 
iM»tients  with  but  partial  succe.«»s — at  least,  so  said  the  patients  with  whom  I  con- 
ibofrersed.  I  then  inquired  about  his  patent,  and  found,  to  my  surprise,  that  he 
'I'Aia/A.  not  obtained  one,  nor  even  made  an  application  for  one,  this  being  none  at 
'inji  subsequent  period,  as  the  date  of  his  specifications  and  patent  clearly  shov. 
ifiJRespecting  the  interview  which  E.  W.  had  with  the  Hon.  James  Dixon,  at 
^Washington,  I  am  informed  by  Mr.  Dixon  that  the  statement  of  E.  W.  in  the 
iH'iirticle  referred  to  is  a  gross  misrepresentation  of  the  truth,  and,  if  necessary,  he 
icM»ill  «ign  a  certificate  to  that  effect 
ia»H  "  Respectfully, 

"HORACE  WELLS." 


100  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 


Any  one  who  shall  compare  these  two  letters  will  read  Dr.  Wells's  statetaer 
of  matters  of  fact  with  some  grains  of  allowance. 

The  same  departure  from  the  line  of  straightforward,  undisguised  tnith  i 
found  in  his  account  of  his  discovery.  He  is  not  frank  in  his  ^^arious  eommun; 
cations  as  to  the  fact  and  mode.  He  states  it  as  a  conclusion  drawn  from  reaso 
and  analogy,  whereas  it  was  a  fact  exhibit(?d  to  his  senses,  and  nmde  the  subjec 
of  conversation  between  himself  and  others  at  the  tiinie.  »  He  says  :  " 

**  While  reasoning  from  analogy,  I  was  led  to  believe  tliat  the  iiihaliiig  of  an; 
exhilerating  gas,  sufficient  to  cause  a  great  nervous  excitement,  would  so  pai 
alyze  the  pystern'  as'  to  render  it  insensible  to  pain,  or  iicuM j  oy>,  lui  it  is  we! 
known  that  H^hcn  an  inidividual  is  very  much  excited  "By  passion  he  scarce!; 
feels  the  severe  wound  which  may  at  the  time  be  inflicted, 'and  the  individus 
who  is  said  to  be  'dead  drunk'  may  receive  severe  blows,  ap}^arently  withou 
the  least  pain,  and  when  in  this  state  is  much  more  tenacious  of  life  than  whe" 
in  th6  natural  state.  I  accordingly  resolved  to  try  the  experiment  of  inhalin 
an  exhilarating  gas  myself  for  the  purpose  of  having  a  tooth  oxtracted. ,  I  the 
obtained  some  nitrous  oxide  gas,  and  requested  Dr.  J.  M.  Riggs  to  perform  th 
operation  at^  the  moment  when  I  should  give  the  signal,  resolving  to  have  tlil. 
tooth  extracted  before  losing  all  consciousness.  This  ^xpei^iiacnl  proved  to  b'^: 
perfectly  successful;  it  was  attended  with  no  pain  whateveV.'  "I'then  performe', 
the  same  operation  on  twelve  or,  fifteen  others  with  the  saijip  .res-ults."  '  ^ 

The  actual  facts  of  the  discovery,  if  discovery  it. is  to,  }}'e  catled,  are  detailei  ^^ 
in  the  follovving  statement  filed  as  evidence  by  the  rej^resentativcs  of  Dr.  Well 
to  support  his  claim :  -.    .       .  •  irc; 

^V.Statb  OF'  Connecticut,  ,  |  j^^, 

^^  County  cf  Hartford.  ,  ■..':,'  •• 

"I,  Samuel  A.  Cooley,  a  citizen  of  Hartford,  county  of  Hartford,  State  of  Coii  121 
necticut,  depose  and  say  that  on  the  evening  of  the  10th  day  of  December,  in  th  '^ 
year  1844,'  that  one  G.  Q.'  Colton  gave  a  public  exhibition  in  the  Union  Hall  i  ". 
the  said  city  of  Hartford,  to  show  the  effect  produced  upon  the liiiman  system  b;  la: 
the  inhaling  of  nitrous  oxide  or  laughing  gas ;  and  in  accordance  ■svith  the  requec  k 
of  several  gentlemen,  the  said  Cokon  did  give  a  private  exhibiLion  on  the  morr  '• 
ing  of  Decembe];  11,  1844,"  at  the  said  hailj  and  that  the  deponent  then  inhale  " 
a  portion  of  said  nitrous  oxide  gas  to  ascertain  its  peculiar  effect  upon  his  system  '" 
and  that  there  were  present  at  that  time  (he  said  Colton,  Horace  Wells,  C.  I ;!' 
Colton,  Benjamin  Moulton,  and  several  other  gentlemen,  to  the  deponent  at  thi  \ 
time  unknown;  and  that  the  said  deponent,  while  under  the  influent'e  of  the  sai  ■ 
gas,  did  run  against  and  throw  down  several  of  the  settees  in  said  hall,  thereh  ' 
throwing  himself  down,  and  causing  S(3veral  severe  bruises  upon  his  knees  an  a; 
other  parts  of  his  persoii  ;  and  that,  after  the  peculiar  inflnence.  of  said  gas  ha  Tl 
subsided,  his  friends  then  present  asked  if  he  had  not  injiu'etl  himself,  and  the  % 
directed  his  attention  to  the  acts  which  he,  had  commiti;ul  imcousciously  whiJ  ^i; 
under  the  operation  of  said  gas.  He  theu' found  by  examination  ihat  his  knee  ft; 
were  severely  injured ;  and  he  then  exposed  his  knee  s  to  those  present,  an!  !• 
found  that  tlie  skin  was  severely  abraised  and  broken;  and  that  tlie  deponei  ;j, 
then  remarked  '  that  he  believed  that  -d  person  miglit  get  into  a  fight  with  se\  i? 
eral  persons  and  not  know  when  he  was  hurt,  bo  unconscious  was  a  person  «  th 
pain  while  under  the  influence  of  the  said  gas;'^  and  the  ^ '■'  -' -"MTn-nt  fiirthc  a^ 
remarked    'that  he   believed   that  if  a   pesrsonacould  b*  \   lie   coiil  in 

underjjo  .\  Sf  Vv-re  surgical  operation  without- fcehng  any  pam  .11  i::c  lime.*  D  %k 
Wells  then  remarked  '  that  he  believed  that  a  person  could  have  a-  tooth  ea  fc. 
tracted  while  under  its  influence,  and  not  experience  anypaiu-;'  and  Ijhe  sai  ^ 
Wells  further  remarked  'that  he  had  a  wisdom  tOKJth  that  doubled  him  exceej  \ 
ingly;  aial'ff  th©  said.  (3*.  ^.  Colton  would  fill  his  bag  with  some  of  the  gas,  1  tvi 
would  go  up  to  his  office  and  try  the  cxpciimont,'   which  tbe  said  Oultou  di 


DR.   WM.   T.    O.   MBirrOH.  lOftf 

nd  th<»  nm<{  Wellg.  €.  F.  Oolton.^and  O.  QJC«>ltoh,  anfi  your  deponent,  and 

•n?  at   till-  !  .  '    :  ad 

11:*:  :mt\    ;  ■  .1 ' 

,y  !>-•    l:    '  '  •  ;   nini   that   llu.-   saal  \\  i.ii.-'.  alicr  lijc  cUict 

f  •'  ^  A  v.rw  vm  ill  tooth  pullinp;.'  " 

1.  of  Harttbrcl,  aayB: 
I  fiUite  that  I  wish  to  n-ndcr  juFitice  to 

irtit^  CO'  Having  beon  coniiocud  in  husin '39  witli  Dr.  \V.  llj».  and 

'  vi-ry  iuL  ..  ill  bim,  we  had  a  jrreal  many  conversations  Dj^ttucr  about 

of  thr  i;at<.  and  in  those  convorsalions  he  always  told  me  Lo  derived  liia 
i  ».  I  of  rl'^'  '-"">-  from  remark?  made  by  Dr.  S.  A.  Coolcy,  at  a  private  ex- 
ion  of  h  IS  piven  at  the  Union  Hall  in  this  city,  in  the  winter  of 
"  from  thof»e  rrmarkf,  and  what  he  witnessed  himself,  he 
to  his  own  business." 
[j.  "1   llartford,  when  nnder  ex;;-  '  ri,  says,  in  answer  to—  / 
•.n.  Wit  «1o  yon  think  I  rofi>r  t  k*  ? 

iJi.  Wil!  claimed  that  he 

'::t  ho  hn;-  .iUt  knowing  it; 

•rivnl  h;  t  this  lac;  _' some  one  So  bruised 

j:  that  s\\  ;-e  at  a  pm  city." 

of  Haruprd,  an  intimate  friend  of  Dr.  VVelis,  tostiiics,  among  other 

_  ,  ..    jws  : 

L  Question.  Do  you  know  Dr.  S.  A.  Cooley  ? 

An>wor.   !  '  •    '■   S.  A.  Cooley,  who  is  called  doctor  from  L.i^  u.^  w. .  i.  .li  a 
:  store.  ; .         ,      ' 

■J.  Questiou.   \>  as  Cooley  in  your  office,  or  Dr.  Wells's  office,  on  the  lltli  of 
mbiT,  1844? 
j  "  Answer,  lie  was  in  Dr.  Wellfi'g  office  at  that  time;.  I  think,  without  doubt, 
4wt  is  the  date. 

•  other  persons  were  present  ? 

li,  who  gave  the  gis  and  had  a  lecture  at  Union  Uafi,' 
.  the  evdiin;;  previous,  myself,  Dr.  Wells,  and  I  think  two  or  throe. 
:  tiose  n;imes  1  do  not  recollect. 

"7.  C^ue-aiou.  What  time  in  the  day  was  it  they  came  to  Dr.  Wells's  office  f 
"Answer.   I  think  between  ten  and  tweh^e  o'clock  a.  m. 
*'S.  (  ^I'-ion.  Did  Dr.  Wells,  Cooloy,and  Odtou,  and  the  other  persons,  come 
F  >  Dr.  Wells's  office  together? 

"  Answer.  I  do  not  know ;  my  impression  is  they  came  together. 
"9.  (Question.  Do  you  know  from  where  they  came  at  that  tinu  ? 
'•Answer.  1  do  liot  know;  hilt  thoy  came  with  a  bag  of  gas,  and,  a.«»  the  gas 
s  at  Union  Hall.  1  -  '    '  <•  from  that  place." 

These  witne-s^'s  <  or  ny  of  (^ooley.  and  provr*  hnyond  cnn- 

orsy  that  Dr.  Weils,  insieail  of  .  ti- 

Ision  tlri^  n  ]f'r- "ii  on  wh'^m  a  wot!  it 

f.  7 

5  witli  l>r.  M:4rcy,  or  any  one  else,  as  to  the  agent  ho  should  .hcUct,  lie  had  a 
g  tilled  wirl.      --   im  f  Tm.v.Ml  off  in  company  with  ('.m>1.v  j»nd  others  who  were 
him  ar  i'  n  when  the  accid*  tl,  and  ha<i  his  tooth 

m  und<  r  i;     ,      ..  ,.v< .     ii.   then,  as  he  says,  p.n.uju.i  ihe  -   '^  '-t^-on 

twelve  or  rift<  •  n  others  %nth  like  success.     The  fact,  as  it  ex  s 

re  ob-ervn  .n  and  promptitude,  and  less  phil«^ophical  reilocruu.  i  :i  an  tiiat 
ich  he  gives  in  his  several  papers.  It  is  cjnit«  as  creditable  had  it  been 
nkly  told. 

But  in  either  case  there  was  here  no  discovery  of  any  principle  or  fact  in 
^  .«^iolog^^     It  was  known  from  the  earlie^it  ages  that  a  person  in  a  state  of 


102  DR.   WM:   T.   G.   MORTON. 

high  mental  exaltation,  or  when  fully  under  the  influence  of  stimulants  or  nar- 
cotics, may  be  wounded  or  surgically  operated  upon  and  feel  nO:  pain.  Dr. 
Wells,  therefore,  gave  nothing  to  science  in  proving  to  those  around  him  that 
the  immunity  from  pain  which  the  gas  afforded  extended  as  well  to  the  drawing 
of  a  tooth  as  to  the  bruising  of  a  knee. 

Had  he  pointed  out  and  proved  to  the  world  a  safe,  certain,  and  conveniem 
agent  to  produce  such  well-known  results,  he  would  have  been  indeed  a  bene- 
factor to  his  country  and  mankind ;  but  concede  him  all  he  claims,  and  to  thf 
full  extent  of  all  that  his  own  narrative  shows,  he  gave  nothing  to  science 
nothing  to  mankind. 

He  operated  on  twelve  oir  fifteen  persons,  and  then  went  to  Boston  to  test  his 
discovery  in  the  Medical  College,  in  presence  of  its  professors,  a  learned  anc 
enlightened  body,  well  known  to  the  scientific  world.  What  he  did  there  waj 
not  done  in  a  corner.  He  failed.  He  had  been  treated  kindly,  had  been  al 
lowed  a  fair  trial,  and  returned  home  mortified  and  disappointed.  He  abandonei: 
the  enterprise.  He  certainly  operated  in  no  case  after  his  return  prior  to  thi 
first  of  May,  four  months  after,  and  did  not  at  tliat  time  think  the  gas  ough 
to  be  used  in  cases  of  dentistry.  He  says  in  his  pamphlet  of  March  30,  1847i 
speaking  of  his  unfortunate  adventure  in  the  Boston  hospital  : 

"The  excitement  of  the  adventure  immediately  brought  on  illness,  frou 
which  I  did  not  recover  for  many  months,  being  thus  obliged  to  relinquish  en 
tirely  my  professional  business." 

The  illness  was  "  immediate,"  from  the  excitement  of  the  adventure ;  the  re 
linquishment  of  business  "  entire." 

In  the  same  pamphlet,  page  six,  he  says,  in  speaking  of  his  conference  witl 
Dr.  Warren :  **  In  proof  of  this  theory  I  related  my  experience  in  extractin: 
teeth  under  the  influence  of  nitrous  oxide  gas,  stating  that,  with  one  or  two  ex 
ception^s,  all  on  whom  I  had  operated,  numbering  twelve  or  fifteen,  assured  m 
that  they  experienced  no  pain  whatever."  This  would  make  from  ten  to  thiij 
teen  successful  cases.  This  argues  very  well  with  both  the  statement  in  coe 
versation  and  the  sworn  testimony  of  the  Hon.  J.  Dixon.  In  his  conversatio 
with  Edward  Warren,  as  sworn  to  by  that  witness,  Mr.  Dixon  says:  "As  nea 
a3  I  can  recollect,  that,  about  two  years  before,  he  had  heard  that  Dr.  Wells  wa 
making  some  experiments  with  nitrous  oxide  gas  to  prevent  pain  in  extractin 
teeth  ;  that  having  a  severe  toothache,  he  called  on  him,  proposing  to  take  thi 
gas,  but  that  Dr.  Wells  informed  him  that,  after  giving  it  to  thirteen  or  fourtee 
patients  with  only  partial  success,  he  had  abandoned  its  use  as  dangerous,  an 
dissuaded  him  from  resorting  to  it." 

Mr.  Dixon  himself,  testifying  as  a  witness,  shows  his  memory  to  have  bee 
very  exact;  he  says: 

"  I  had  repeated  conversations  with  Riggs  and  Wells.  Think  both  said  th? 
for  so  slight  an  operation  as  pulling  teeth  they  would  not  advise  its  use,  bi 
that  in  severe  surgical  operations,  as  amputation,  it  should  be  used ;  but  i 
slight  operations  it  was  not  best  to  run  the  risk  of  using  the  gas.  Wells  sai 
its  use  would  entirely  prevent  pain,  and  he  had  extracted  thirteen  teeth  wit 
safety  and  without  pain.  These  conversations  were  in  May,  1845,  and  subs( 
quent.  Wells  spoke  of  it  as  a  recent  discovery,  by  him ;  said  he  had  announce 
it  to  some  of  the  Boston  faculty.  I  think  Jackson  and  Morton  were  mentione 
by  name,  but  am  not  positive.  He  spoke  of  an  exiierimeut  before  a  class  i 
Boston,  in  which  he  did  not  succeed  as  he  had  in  Hartford,  and  the  witnessc 
of  his  experiuKnit  discouraged  him." 

Twelve  or  ffteen  cases  he  had  tried,  all  except  two,  with  success  before  b 
went  to  lioston  in  December,  1844,  or  January,  1845.  He  had  succee<led  i 
thirteen  cases,  in  all,  when  he  conversed  with  Mr.  Dixon  "in  May  1845,  an 
subsequent,'^  and  he  thought  the  gas  ought  not  to  be  used  in  so  slight  an  open 


lee 


DR.   Wll.   T.   O.   MOBTON.  103 

n  as  pulllnsr  teeth.     Em  i  opinion,  he,  of  courac,  would  not  use  it, 

1   tli<  H'  is  no  evidence  a. v.   :^     4. .    iiiou  on  IiIh  part  that  he  did  iwe  it  from 

time  of  hiii  visit  to  Boeton  until  Doctor  Morton's  dincovery  wan  promulgated 

I  utlraited  the  attention  of  the  world.     Nor  was  it  for  the  want  of  sufficient 

jiortimity  to  ^tt  tlie  attention  of  the  medic^il  faculty,  or  fi)r  the  want  of  health 

lu-  his  invest  i;^.ilionfl  ;  on    '  \ .  in  a  Ktter  to  Doctor  Morton  date<l 

I .  IS  lo,  we  find  him  et't  •If  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 

ity  of  New  York,  in  the  midcL  ul  hoapitals  and  surgeons.     The  letter 

i  to  is  as  follows : 

"  New  York,  July  31,  1845. 

^    "Fbiend  Morton:    You  will  sec  by  the  date  of  this  letter  that  I  ara  at 
*'^.r        *  in  New  York.     I  came  here  about  two  weeks  since  for  the  purpose  of 
^'  a  business  to  do  plate  work." 

|[|^    Id  his  letter  of  February  17,  1S47,  he  saya  : 

'      "Since  this  discovery  wafl  first  made  I  have  administered  nitrous  oxide  gaa 
1  the  vapor  of  etlier  to  about  tifty  patients,  my  operations  having  been  limited 
-raall  number  i  juence  of  a  protracted  illness  which  immediately 

iin  my  return  1 11  Boston  in  January,  1845." 

^  •  80  that  in  a  little  more  than  two  years,  from  December,  1844,  to  February', 
'^17,  he  had  administered  to  about  fifty  patients,  and  no  more,  for  he  8eems 
.  !l  aware  tli.it  the  small  number  of  cases  will  be  marked  against  him,  and  he 
iuMi!    _''v  '  the  very  loose  testimony  of  the  witnesses  ex- 

uiiiii.a    .1  li  ^        iitatives  without  this  coimexion,  and  we  would  be 

;  to  conclude  that  he  had  operated  on  more  than  one-fourth  of  that  number  in 
ingle  day. 

1  )ocU'r  AVells  was  afraid  to  administer  the  nitrous  oxide  without  the  "  co-op- 
ition  of  the  medical  f;iculty."  But  they  would  not  co-operate.  Of  them  he 
vs:  '*  All  were  fearful  of  doing  some  serious  injury  with  it.**     That  is  true. 

00  till  V  were,  and  so  they  would  be  now,  if  its  use  were  again  proposed.  'ITie 
iuinlu  J  faculty  are,  as  a  body,  cautious,  but  not  timid.  They  were  afraid  to 
h>v  nitrous  oxide  lest  they  sliould  do  serious  injury  with  it;  but  they  were  not 
-^il'mid  to  use  sulphuric  ether  when  its  anajsthetic  qualities  were  made  known  to 

m.     They  received  the  announcement  of  its  discovery  with  shouts  of  oxulta- 

■  11;  there  was  an  end  of  pain,  and  au  end  of  mesmerism  a«  a  pain-subduing 

kgent;  and  it  wjis  at  once  received  into  univoi-sal  use  by  the  medical  faculty. 

And  the  witnesses  spciik  of  it  as  a  thing  und«'rstood  that  Doctor  Wells  ceiwed 

experiments  and  gave  up  the  pursuit  until  after  the  time  the  discovery  of 

1  ctor  Morton  had  obtained  universal  nse  and  celebrit)'.     Doctor  Ellsworth, 
aking  of  his  failure  in  Boston,  in  the  winters  of  lS44-'45,  says  ; 

•  II<>  presented  it  to  Doctor  WaiTen,  who  laid  it  before  his  class,  but  the  ex- 
riment  first  attempted  jvutially  failing,  and  no  one  seeming  willing  to  lend 
a  a  helping  hand,  he  ceased  m;ikiug  any  further  jjersonal  eflbrts." 

Every  scintilla  of  testimony  which  has  application  on  or  about  this  time  im- 
i    »a  total  abandonment.     Geo.  Brinley,  of  liartford,  being  interrogated,  says  : 

"  Question.   Did  yon  say,  in  the  presence  of  Doctor  Wells,  that  the  indi- 
iiial  who  discovered  this  idea  was  stupid  that  he  did  not  pursue  it  1 
"  Answer.  I  said  it  to  him. 
"  Question.  What  did  he  say  ? 

'Answer.  I  did  not  know  him  at  the  time,  and  begged  his  pard<n..     ii,   -aid 
would  forgive  me,  as  he  saw  I  was  his  friend;  that  he  was  stupid,  or  ajack- 
..^ojfj,  that  he  had  not  pursued  z/.^' 


104:  ,  DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON.: 

Howell  Olmstead,  jr.,  of  Hartford,  who  was  engaged  in  disposing  of  the  rights 
of  Bale  for  the  patent  shower-baths  of  Dr.  Wells,  says  :    >• 

**  I  considered  that  he  had  abandoned  the  thing  entirely;  as  he  expressed  him- 
self to  me ;  that  the  operation  in  some  cases  proved  a  perfect  failure,  and  spoke 
of  his  unsuccessful  trial  in  Boston  in  1845.  He  expressed  himself  as  being 
very  sorry  that  he  had  not  prosecuted  his  experiments  to  a  successful  termina- 
tion ;  and  he  also  regretted  stopping  the  matter  where  he  did;  for  he  thought  an 
immense  fortune  might  be  made  of  the  business,  and  that  the  discovery  would  |rt 
reflect  great  honor  upon  the  discoverer." 

Th-C  opinions  of  Drs.  Wells  and  Riggs  as  to  the  impolicy  of  using  nitrous  oxide 
in;  cases  pf  dentistry  seems  to  have  been  that  also  of  the  profession  in  Hartford. 
But  a  very  few  cases  could  be  proven  of  its  use  between  January,  1845,  and  Sep-^  ^, 
tember,  1846,  in  the  whole  city  of  Hartford,  although  the  persons  thus  operated,  J^ 
upon  during  this  period  of  nearly  twenty  months  were  called  on  by  newspaper 
advertisements  to  appear  and  give  their  names  to  Doctor  Ellsworth. — (Hartford 
Daily  Times,  November  24,  1852.)     It  had  had  its  day  and  was  abandoned,  to.jj 
be  revived  again  and  live  for  another  brief  day  after  the  publication  of  Doctor 
Mortoii's  successful  experiments  with  sulphuric  ether.     Doctor  Cooley,  of  Hart- 
ford, in  answer  to  inquiries  made  of  him  by  Doctor  Morton  as  to  the  statement^  |^ 
which  he  had  given  in  behalf  of  Mrs.  Wells,  above  referred  to  and  partly  set  out 
in  answer  to  the  inquiry,  "you  say,  moreover,  that  you  administered,  when  re 
quested  to  do  so  by  surgeons  and  dentists.     8th.  Was  this  not  subsequent  toE 
the  ether  discovery  1"     He  says:  L 

"Answer  8.  Yes;  it  was  iafter  the  ether  discovery,  in  1846,  that  I  adminis-jJi 
tered  the  gas  for  surgeons  and  dentists ;  that  then  being  an  attempt  by  us  all  [] 
to  renew  the  experiments,  as  the  public  and  ourselves  had  lost  confidence,  and| 
doubted  the  practicability  of  tlie  thing,  until  the  successful  introduction  of  ether. 
I  administered  gas  for  Dr.  Ellsworth,  an  intimate  friend  of  Wells,  and  also  tojjj 
several  others ;  but  the  last  time  that  I  exhibited  it  was  to  a  lady  at  Dr.  Green 
leaf's  office,  which,  in  a  great  measure,  proved  a  failure,  and  then  ether  and 
chloroform  assumed  the  place  of  the  gas,  and  operations  were  more  successful 
in  the  use  of  them ;  and  since  then  I  have  had  but  little  to  do  with  the  matter,|i, 
as  other  business  has  taken  up  my  time  and  attention. 

•*  Answer  9.  I  knew  of  Dr.  Wells  going  to  Boston  soon  after  the  noise  in  the 
papers  of  the  discovery  of  the  effects  of  ether  by  you  in  1846,  and  had  a  con 
viersalion  with  him  on  his  return  about  your  discovery.  He  made  no  claim  to 
me  of  the  discovery  being  his,  but,  on  the  contrary,  expressed  regrets  that  we 
had  not  continued  our  experiments  to  a  successful  termination." 

Now.  if  all  that  Dr.  Wells  claimed,  and  all  that  his  friends  claim  for  him  and 
for  themselves,  to  have  been  done  by  him,  and  them  down  to  the  time  of  his 
visit  to  Boston  in  January,  1847,  be  tnie,  there  was  no  discovery  of  a  saje,  cer- 
tain, and  convenient  anaesthetic  agent  such  as  the  world  at  lai'ge  could  and  would 
.odopt^ — none  that  would  be  useful  to  the  people  and  to  the  army  and  to  the  navy 
of  the  United  States,  nor  was  such  discovery  at  all  advanced.  Nothing  more 
seems  to  have  been  done  than  to  satisfy  the  prof(>ssion  that  nitrous  oxide  gas 
would  tiot  do  as  an  anaesthetic  agent,  and  to  prevent  further  experiments  in 
that  quarter.  Dr.  Wells's  thirteen  experiments  were  made  among  friends,  bold 
hardy  young  men,  and,  of  course,  each  person  operated  upon  would  take  a  share 
however  small,  of  the  glory.  The  opciration  was  performed  gratis,  and  with 
"mental  preparation;"  henc(uts  success.  But  when  a  stranger  was  the  subject; 
when  the  domestic  and  social  influence  were  gone,  in  the  gi'eat  world,  in  thd|iT 
piiblic  hospital,  the  experiment  failed,  and  its  failure  opened  the  eyes  of  Dr 
Wells  to  the  lallacy  of  his  former  apparent  success,  by  which  he  and  those  with 
whom  he  operated  upon  were  alike  deceived.     They  were  naturally  the  dupee  ij 


II? 


xaQcimmpqic  iMr 


>f/thtt)Mto«»«  ind  Dr.  Weik.  b«iog  at  lai^t  nndcccivod.  im- 
he  could  to  d*  :    '    '      !'     ;         II     V '       '  ' 
Til"'  •TO,*  di«l 


I  piutnfr?*liip  ixiiiiMNriy,  ami  C."«"«lt  y,  in  ^|M•aklll;^  ol  il,  baj  d  : 
iw.  *;.-^»  ;,.#;»««♦;,..,  r  ),.,.]  t]>,ir  T)r.  Welld  did  not  in^"'"^  »»  rarr\    ...>   ■  ..r 

\vhrn  he  ini'ormcd  ;  il  wtM»ks  alu*r 

twpon  us.  that  he  lu;  i  ju.-l  ntumfnl  fnun 

••xpcrinieTU.  Mliich  had  proVf  d  a  fuihire. 

tlint  lii   >\  ^        :'      i'tiii'Ct*  of  the;  '      '     r 

n-*  w»^  1  r   it  would,  as 


could  not  h'  me  !•»  ^o  oa 

light  I  could  I      ,  !i'm.  and  tb'it, 

_Ii  with  his  <  ipi'rhnciiCri  in  iho  luiiiin  .-s,  he  woiUd 

..  ,.J  iu  ••riid"  ill.!   I  iiii/l.r  >'.ifi'f(  ,1  !:i  ni\   li  ctni-is.  ani] 

lo  me  to  cQUtiect  with  r 

■'■J  use  of  ^  '■  "-^  •■*'  '■•"-■  ...w. ...  .-.  .1, ....,_  ..  .  ,..4t 

:iswer  c^»i  ug  room  as  t<»  tlic  tiuu' 

'   -  '*  iiui:uii  r  .i>,inii  wac*  a.skcd.    Fccliug 

lowinsr  L  I  should   roidize  eufficiout 

'   '•    in  company 

my  hcturc-3." 

s  warning  him  to  leave  oti"  exjv  rimcnts  which,  if  pushed  to  the  point  of 

>   I'Tiist  be  daii^^f^rou/?  to  life,  and  go  on  and  amutfc  and  hmnhng  the  people 

r  that  would  be  pleasant,  and  by  means  not  at  all  dangerous,  Dr. 

\.;^    ,...,..,,.     'ffjT  the  HHcoess  of  sulphuric  ether,  professt  s  t*>  have 

1  its  qualities  before  commencing  hi-*  eXp'  riments,  and 

in  ITS  >;,  M'l  tilt'  nitroua  oxid«'  ga?.     We  have  seen  that  in  thij^  h(;  was 

»»n.     lie  was  led  on  to  his  exp»riment3  by  a  course  of  events  in  which 

-on  could  not  have   intervened. 
-  evidence  is  met  by  tlie  i»aia8 
rn  tael. 

!♦  15*  now  wiid  that  Dr.  Wells  did  once  u?o  the  vapor  of  snlphnrlc  ether, 

•ted  a  tooth  from  J.  Gayl  ;  i  under  i  ce.     Dr. 

ii'.r  -IT  ?«..  nor  it*  the  a^isni   _  cnt  wiih  i  ..t  nt.-s.    It 

•ny  of  Gaylonl  Wellai,  and  a  sjn*ei:d  <1(  j»<;rition  ia  taken 

ir       Tm  Mnr;  )..  1  ^17.  he  tcstlties  ad  follows  : 

Hartford,  March  ?«,  I^M. 

hen  by  tCFli^  that  more  than  two  yc^rs  prior  to  thi.-i  (i 

<d  that  Horace  Wills,  dentist,  of  this  city,  had  mad'  -i  v  *ln  .; ^. . 

ich  laeans  he  could  extract  teeth  without  pain  to  t,  which  con- 

:..  ti .....*•  ^, ;. .>.,!.. ,;....  .....    ..-, t;.j    ,!.i.i  ;......,      i 


u  except  lliut  ol  lUf  aL'OVc  : 

"J.  ,  184J  Main  Mtreetr 

tt^th  extracted,  ali  umler  the  intiuonce  ol  nehiiarating  geu — nothing  of 

\*h  was  present  when  Gaylord's  toetb  were  extracted.     He  testi* 
'  o  intexrogiitories ; 


i 


1« 


106  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

"  Question.  Have  you  any  personal  knowledge  that  Dr,  Wells  ever  made  u 
of  ether  as  an  anaesthetic  agent  in  any  surgical  or  dental  operation  ? 

"  Answer.  No. 

"  Question.  Have  you  any  personal  knowledge  that  ether  was  ever  used  1 
any  person,  in  any  such  operation,  before  the  fall  of  1846  1  j 

"  Answer.  I  have  not. 

"  Question.  Have  you  ever  seen  Dr.  Wells  extract  any  other  tooth,  under  t 
influence  of  nitrous  oxide,  than  your  own  ?  if  yea,  who  and  when  ? 

"  Answer.  I  have ;  I  saw  him  extract  several  for  J.  Gaylord  Wells,  and  o 
for  Wm.  H.  Burleigh ;  Wells's  were  all  extracted  at  one  time,  soon  after  mi 
was  extracted,  and  Burleigh's  soon  after;  I  should  think  within  a  week  afl 
mine  was  extracted. 

"  Question.  Did  you  ever  know  or  hear  that  Dr.  Wells  extracted  any  tee1  J* 
under  the  influence  of  any  anajsthetic  agent,  after  his  return  from  Boston, 
January,  1845,  and  before  October  1,  1846  ]  jjj' 

*'  Ans.  I  don't  know  that  I  did." 

Dr.  Riggs  says  that  Gaylord  Wells  was  one  among  the  first  to  whom  tL 
gas  was  administered,  (answer  to  29th  inteiTOgatory.)  .^^ 

Gaylord  Wells's  deposition  was  again  taken  to  prove  that  his  teeth  were  ij  jj 
all  drawn  at  once,  but  at  several  times,  and  no  more  than  ttiH)  teeth  at  a  tin, 
and  that  sulphuric  ether  was  used  at  one  of  those  times ;  **  whereupon,  finding.  ^^ 
disagreeable,  he  advised  his  friends  not  to  use  it,  hut  contiiriue  the  gas^     Tl 
witness,  and  the  parties  who  suff'ered  him  thus  to  testify,  could  not  have  lookL 
to  his  first  aflidavit  before  he  swore  to  the  second. 

In  his  first  he  says  :  "  I  inhaled  the  exhilarating  gas,  and,  under  its  influenk 
had  six  extracted  without  the  least /pain^ 

In  the  last  he  says  that  only  five  were  with  the  gas,  and  one  with  sulphu 
ether;  the  ether  was  not  given  from  the  bag,  ''but  some  different  apixiratusJ 

This  wituees  contradicts  himself.     He  is  contradicted  by  his  companion 
0.  Goodrich.     He  pretends  to  state  an  important  fact,  not  hinted  at  by  I 
Wells  in  his  lifetime,  and  which  is  against  the  whole  current  of  the  eviden 
In  the  pamphlet  of  Dr.  Wells,  already  referred  to,  he  says  :  "  1  have  confin 
myself  to  the  use  of  nitrous  oxide  gas,  because  I  became  fully  satisfied,  fri "' 
the  first,  that  it  was  less  injurious  to  the  system  than  ether." 

He  says,  however,  that  Dr.  Marcy  tried  ether  in  one  surgical  operation,  a 
thereupon  advised  him  by  all  means  to  continue  the  use  of  the  nitrons  oxi 
gas.  Dr.  Wells  says  that,  after  and  upon  consultation,  he  determined  to  c( 
tinue  the  use  of  the  gas ;  but  he  does  not  say  it  was,  or  after  an  experimcJ^'J 
upon  Mr.  Gaylord  Wells,  or  that  he  was  of  those  with  whom  he  advised 

We  leave  the  testimony  of  this  witness  to  the  consideration  of  the  Senate 

On  the  17th  of  February,  1847,  Dr.  Wells  made  a  publication  in  Galignai 
Messenger,  in  which,  speaking  of  nitrous  oxide,  and  the  vapor  of  sulphu'  ^ 
ether,  he  says :  "  The  less  atmospheric  air  admitted  into  the  lungs  with  a' 
gas  or  vapor,  the  better." 

It  i.s  not  to  be  believed  that  at  this  time  he  had  ever  administered  the  va 
of  sulphuric  ether ;  that  vapor  will  not  support  respiration,  and  a  patient  could 
no  long(;r  inhaling  it,  without  a  mixture  of  atmospheric  air,  than  he  could  1 
with   his   head   under  water.     It   takes  about   three  minutes  to  produce 
effect  of  anaisthesia  with  etheric  vai)or,  which,  administered  according  to 
Wells's  direction,  without  atmos])heric  air,  would,  in  most  cases,  destroy  ) 
But  if  it  had  been  true  that  Dr.  Wells  used  ether  with  success,  it  was  a  mat' 
of  no  importance,  the  physicians  and  surgeons  of  his  own  town  never  knew 
no  mark  of  pen  or  pencil  attested  it  till  h)ng  after  Dr.  Morton's  discovery, 
years   after   Gaylord    Wells's    affidavit   gave   it   to   the   world.     Drs.    We 
Kiggs,  and  Marcy  say  they  consulted  about  the  use  of  sulphuric  ether  and  c 
demned  it.     Drs.  Wells  and  Iliggs  at  once,  and  Dr.  Marcy  after  a  trial.     . 


leii 


lOD 
Id 


Dlfk.   W^.   T.   O.   MORTON.  107 

tod  !t,  or  abandoned  its  use  on  trial.  It  is  immaterial  whothor  Dr.  Marcv, 
•r,  tried  it  or  not ;  hut  Ih  ho  not  nuptakiii  in  suppobinj^  lit*  tried  it  ?  ISo 
of  the   patient,  on  whom  the  experiment  was  tried,  ean  he  found.     Uno 

!n'd  dolhii-fl  n'ward  liaa  been  ottrred,  but  yet  he  cannot  he  found.  Dr. 
V  raiinot  j^ve  his  n  inif*.  nr  any  account  of  him,  except  that  In*  operated 
hini  while  under  '  nee  of  Hulpliuric  ether,     lie  made  no  cotempo- 

u.-*  enfrv,  wrote  n«'  Mraneour^  letter,  which  can  l)e'vonch('d  to  prove 

itiopt  im|K»rtiint  exp<'riment ;  and  more  tlian  this,  Dr.  Marcy  ban  not  always 

lied  cauiioubly.     The  close  of  his  affidavit  of  Dtccinlur  1.   ISH).  niwy  l»e 

II  as  an  example  ;  be  Bays  : 

I  also  further  declare  that  I  was  aware  of  liu-  Tact  or  i'r.  \>  •  li- .-<  Msit  to 
•n,  in  1844,  for  the  purpose  of  conmiunicatiii^  hi.s  discovery  to  the  faculty 

!i.il  city.      1  also  had  an  interview  with  Dr.  Wells  soon  after  his  return  from 

-•u,  when  he  iufonned  me  that  he  had  made  known  to  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  and 

Ir.  Morton,  ti  n-rtica  of  the  nitrous  oxide  gas,  the  ether  vapor, 

jd  other  anal   ^  :.  He  also  informed  me  that  he  had  made  an  im- 

ct  triid  with  the  g;is  before  Dr.  Warren's  cla^ss,  but  that  the  experiment  was 

.  --.itisfaclory  on  account  of  the  patient's  getting  an  iusuflicieut  ouautity  of  the 

'i,-.     II«'  fmther  informed  me  that  his  discovery  and  his  whole  iuea  respecting 

'    '  -thetic  agents  was  ridiculed  by  Dr.  Jackson  and  other  medical  men  of  Bos- 

l)Ut  that  his  former  pupil,  Morton,  swallowed  this  ridiculous  idea  greedily 

kept  it  down  until  1846,  when  he  ejected  it  at  Washington  in  the  fomi  of  a 

lied  compound — mark  the  word — compomid,  called  Letheon." 

w,  it  is  very  certain,  even  if  Dr.  Wells  were  in  the  habit  of  using  language 

'  irsie  and  absurd,  which  docs  not  seem  to  be  the  ca.'^e,  that  he  did  not   say, 

1  ills  return  home  from  Boston  in  the  spring  of  1845,  what  Dr.  Marcy  testifies 

lieu  said  (»f  Dr.  Morton  doing  in  184G.     Suppose  it  all  to  be  about  to  happen 

-o,  Dr.  Wells  could  not  have  known  it  and  denoimced  it  to  Dr.  Morton  a 

before  it  took  place. 

It  is  npon  Dr.  Marcy  principally  that  the  Wells  claim  seeks  to  support  it- 

'  f  be  conceded  that  he,  Marcy,  knew  from  Wells  all  that  Wells 

cted.     Wells  himself,   in   his  publication  of  1847,  vouches  Dr. 

y  as  the  person  with  whom  he  'advised'  and  *discus.sed  the  comparative 

s  of  nitrous  oxide  gas  and  rectified  sulphuri*  ether.' 

1 !  is  important,  then,  to  see,  if  possible,  to  what  conclusiotis  Wells's  exjK'ri- 

^  and  discoveries  had  brought  Dr.  Marcy.  This  gc*ntleman,  in  his  deposi- 
.f  1849.  (Wells'?  pamphlets,  1852,  p.  31,)  declares  that,  *in  the  month  of 

l>er,  1844,'  (which  is  two  months  prior  to  the  first  notion  of  Wells  on  this 
et,)  he  •  witnessed  the  extraction  of  a  tooth  from  the  pc'rson  of  T.  C.  tiood- 
1  sq.,  of  this  city,  (Hartford,)  by  Dr.  Horace  Wells,  after  nitrous  oxide  gas 

iicen  inhaled,  and  without  the  slightest  consciousness  of  pain  on  the  part  of 

_  iktleman  operated  upon.  Not  only  was  t4ie  extraction  accomplished  with- 
lin,  but  the  inhalation  of  the  gas  was  effected  without  any  r»f  those  indicA- 
jjii-  of  excitement  or  attempts  at  nuiscidar  exertion  which  so  commonly  obtain 
ih<  n  tlic  gas  is  administered  without  a  definite  object  or  previous  mental  i»irj)- 
n.  By  this  experiment  two  important,  and,  to  myself,  entirely  new  facts 
demonstrated  :  1st.  That  the  bo<ly  could  be  rendere<l  insensible  to  pain  by 
ihalation  of  a  gas  or  vapor  capable  of  producing  certain  effects  upon  the 
lism;  and  2d.  vVhen  such  agents  were  administered  to  a  sufficient  extent, 
definite  ol»ject,  and  with  a  suitable  impression  being  previously  prodi;  I 
the  mind,  that  no  unusual  mental  excitement,  or  attempt  at  physical  eiijii, 

m1  follow  the  inhalation.' 

I I  is  impossible  to  read  Dr.  Marcy 's  statement  of  these  *two  new  facts '  with- 
ieiiig  reminded  of  Cooley's  testimony  with  regard  to  mesmerism.     It  is  ap- 

lurcnt  that  the  second  and  important  fact  which  Dr.  Marcy  deduced  from  the 


lOB"  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MOPTONw 

experiment  of  Dr.  Wells,  viz :  that  the  insensihility  to  pain  would  be  attendee 
by  puch  a  condition  of  the  patient  as  would  make  it  possible  to  subject  him  tx 
;i(?ur<^ical  operation,  hinged  upon  two  independent  and  fanciful  perquisites,  viz 
chnt  tlie  gas  should  be  '  administered  for  a  definite  object,'  and  that  the  patien 
should  have  *a  suitable  impression  previously  produced  upon  the  mind.' 

''Again  he  says,  in  an  article  published  in  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  on  tb 
30th  (lay  of  December,  184.6  :  'Another  fact  in  relation  to  the  exhilarating  gas 
&c.,.  is  worthy  of  notice.  Under  ordinary  cu'cumstances,  the  person  who  inhales 
the  gas  has  no  contrci  over  himself,  but  if,  previous  to  his  taking  the  gas,  b 
fixes  his  mind  strongly  upon  some  given  purpose,  and  exercises  his  will  steadily 
in  order  to  effect  and  carry  out  this  purpose,  he  will,  in  nearly  every  instance 
remain  quiet.' '  jF 

'  Wells,  in  his  publication  dated  Paris,  February  17, 1847,  Boston  Atlas,  say8|,y 

"Much  depends  on  the  state  of  mind  of  the  patient  during  the  inhalation  of  ga^ 
or  vapor.     If  the  individual  takes  it  with  a  determination  to  submit  to  a  surgicattat 
operation,  he  has  no  disposition  to  exert  the  musculai^  system,  whereas,  undeiw* 
other  circumstances,  it  seems  impossible  to  restrain  him  from  over  exertion ;  hil 
becomes  perfectly  uncontrollable.     It  is  well  to  instruct  all  patients  of  this  fac 
before  the  inhalation  takes  place."  1^^ 

This  is  sheer  charlatanism.      A  discovety  which   depends  for  its  efficatj^g^ 
upoti  the  concurrence  of  two  fools,  one  to  administer  and  the  other  to  be  admin  ^.^^ 
istered  upon — leaving  everything  to  the  effect  of  imagination — is  only  entitles 
to  the  attention  of  such  as  are  fit  to  be  operators  or  patients  under  that  system 
atid  the  number  of  these,  it  is  hoped,  is  small. 

But  how  is  it  possible  that  these  mental  pre-oceupations  of  operator  andlji^ 
patient  should  have  been  adopted  by  Dr.  Marcy  as  necessary  conditions  ,to  th^^^" 
success  of  Dr.  Wells's  discovery,  if  that  discovery  was  understood  by  Marcy  aji^jj^ 
that  time,  as  identical  with  or  equivalent  to  the  discovery  made  by  the  under  i^^, 
signed  1  The  latter  is  purely  physical  in  its  operation.  It  does  not  differ  h  J;, 
this  respect  from  any  other  fact  oi;  theory  in  the  materia  medica.  The  foimej^jj; 
essentially  depends  upon  the  imagination;  and,  fortunately  for  hmnanityj  mug,| 
have  but  a  rare  and  doubtful  operation.  ,It  is  nevertheless  a  fact,  not  now  to  b^  | 
disputed,  that  the  manipulations  of  the  mesmerizer  have  reduced  patients  (aiir 
more  than  the  twelve  or  fifteen^  claimed  by  Wells)  to  the  condition  which  Dii  ^^ 
Marcy  proposes  in  his  second  specification  of  '  important  and  new  facts.'  , 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  then,  that  these  gentlemen,  Drs.  Marcy  ant 
Ellsworth,  should  concur  with  Wells  in  the  opinion  that  the  operation  was  un  y^ 
cei'tain  and  could  not  be  trusted,  and  practically  abjjindoned  all  idea,  if  such  wa^f 
ever  entertained  by  them,  of  making  it  a  useful  agent  ju  surgery.     In  fact,  i 
does  not  appear  that  either  of  them  performed  any  operation  with  its  aid  unti 
after  the  discovery  by  the  undersigned ;  at  all  events  not  betAveen  that  time  anc  j^ 
the  early  experiments  which  we  have  seen  had  resulted  so  as  to  iiiduco  ^Welli|  J 
liimself  to  abandon  the  subject.     After  the  discovery  by  the  undersigned  hacj 
been  fully  tested  and  established,  it  was  easy  enough  to  reason  themselves  inti 
the  belief  that  it  was  all  embraced  in  that  which  they  .participated  in,  but  whicl 
had  been  without  the  slightest  profit  to  the  world  at  large,  or. , auy  practical  ,ad 
vancc  towards  this  great  boon  to  humanity.  :  iv  i       V     '    >  ■ 

It  is  true  that  Dr.  Marcy  states  that  he  performed  an  operation  with  cthe 
soon  after  Wells's  first  experiments  with  the  nitrous  oxide ;  ^but  it  is  by  m 
means  clear  that  sucli  Avas.the  fact ;  and  if  the  fact,  it  can  hardly  be  .doubted  tha 
the  experiment  was  a  failure.  When  the  idea  occurred  tp  Wclla,  in  the  face  0|ji^ 
Ills  letter  of  October,  184G,  to  Dr.  Morton,  to  claim  that  he  liad  mado  tlu  ^j" 
same,,  or  an  equivalent  discovery  in  1844;  and  when  Drs.  M^ucy  and  Ellswortl  [;, 
came  to  his  aid,  it  is  not  possible  that  tlu;  fact  that  ether  itself  had  been  used 
and  that  "  the  operaliuu  was  entii-ely  unattended  with  pain,"  if  such  a  fact  existc<. 


itr 


Irai 

All 

Id's 


»t 


'  ni  n.-^  mot't  matorial   to  his  clairu,  and 

^  r  proof  tlicTOuf,  hIiouM   not  have  been 

'.     Vet  there  am  twn  pui»Hoiitions,  ])y  Dr.  !M;ircy  liimncir,  de- 

,1,,,— r»iio  on  the  ."^Oth  Di'crinhcr,  184(),  .uul  th<'  other  on  the 

hoth  in  tiu' J<»wrnal  of  C/omnn'ree.  in  which  the  inaterinl 

UM. .......  MM.  I..;  pertinent  to  the  ]n-ecif*e  j)\irj>o8o  of  the  puhlicatii'tiH,  ia  not 

1  alliuh'il  to.     In  l>oth  of  thene  pulilicHtions  lie  limits  liinipclf  to  the  Htat«- 

I  that  he,  Marey,  had  PU^-^jeHtcd  the  use  of  etlier  to  Weilj^ ;   hut  tliat,  "npoii 

'tion  and  more  tull  discussion,"  hr  Iiad  advised  tli.it  the  exhilarating  p^as  was 

'        ",    27th  of  March,  IS  17,  (Weil.M's  ])ami.hlet,  Harttord,  J.  (iaylard 

I  he  make*  his  third  piihlication.  (]).  l.""^.)  and  v»'rifieH  the  aamv 

'  ether  had  he  <td,and  that  he 

time,  states  ill  ii;;faet:  "I  also 

knowledge   that  the  ether  vapor 

'nid  prior  to  l^^'l-'S,)  for  the  pcr- 

Bormauce  of  n  surjpcai  operation.  ' 

^    Thl&  is  all  I  "   "  'if  it.      lie  dors  I'.ul    ii:tiui;iic  that  hi-  ]^-ni)inifu  iii«'  o|)(  ra- 

;  but,  on  iry,  Ptate3  that  he  liad  pteadily  advised  ajj^ainst  its  use. 

V,  hat  the  op.-mtion  was,  nor  what  success  attended  it.     It 
-  fourth  statement,  made  live  jc^rs  after  the  operation,  (1849,) 
•  that  he  himself  performed  the  operation  upon  ••  the  young; 
I  to,"  luid  that  it  w;;s  the  cutting  "  from  his  he:id  an  encyj*tod 
■  r  uljouL  till',  ^ize  of  an  Engliiih  wahmt,  and  tJiat  the  operation  was  entirely 
I  ended  with  pain;  and  demonstrated  to  Dr.  Wellsj  and  myself,  in  the  most 
lusive  mAnner,  the  anaesthetic  properties  of  ether  vapor."     Still,  tlierc  15 
iing  slated  to  enable  auy  information  to  be  obtained  touching  this  important 
tion  bejojid  what  Dr.  Marcy  himself  (^hoosc^  to  communicate.     AVells  thus 
*     •'  •   *' ^    ♦  ■'  1  ••  ohsen'cd,  however,  that  at  ,tliis  time,  (Xovembir,  1S44,) 
.  t  under  consideration, a  Ringical  operation  wa.s  peifonucd 
•'ir    i  >r.   uncy -^  on;;  e  iir.der  the  influence  of  sulphuric  ether,  as   is   proved  by 
TOdavil.     TJie  doctor  then  advised  me  by  all  means  to  continue  the  use  of  nitroiie 
'     '  in  1849,  it  is  pretended  that  the  operation  was  entirely 

herefore  to  Lave  led,  "  by  all  m<.'an8,"  to  the  contrary  ad- 
like  this  cannot  be  expected  to  produce  conviction. 
.  (I  operation  no  one  has  ever  been   able  to  Iiear  of  it,  except 
igh  J)r.  .Marcy.     Anxious  to  prove  the  matter.  Dr.  ^Moi-tbn  offered  a  reward 
'le  hundred  dollars,  in  Hartford,  to  any  one  who  could  tell  the  name  of  tbe 
nt,  or  give  him  any  me^ins  to  find  him.     On  this  pointy  he  refers  to  the  statw- 
t  of  Mr.  Cornwall,  his  counsel  there     The  failure  to  produce,  indicate,  or 
•ly  degree  describe  "  the  young  miin,"  under  these  circunistanet  s,  is  entirety 
idtent  with  auy  view  of  Dr.  Marcy 's  evidence. 
1  !ie  facts  connected  with  Wells's  own  conduct  and  publications  in  tiiis  uud' 

le  worthy  of  attention  in  this  connexion. 
\  Iter  his  n  markable  letter  of  October.  1846.  n  he  disco  vcrv  of  Dr.  Mor- 


.-  atler  his  pi-Ltendcd  discuViry,  and 


•  Iveorfii  -«  oxi»{i«.     No,                % 

le  to  any  -it  usp  of  nit  •                -  : 

jilt  Li-  \\l:  •!.    (    •  i-  there  summed  up  with   his  f.iilu'-o                    1.  in  ls46. 

■':is  Irn.r  10  Dr.  ^■  •■  m.  -f  (Vinh^r.  is.jo,  shows   his  ap-n    ..            f  ;ho  ad- 

■jinT  'u  <  that  woi;  -rer.     He  says  :  "  !f  t                  i  »n  f)f 

lliiiiiii-u  ring  the  l  '^'  »""  "I'lch  trouble,  ai.  .  ..           ..1««- 

le  «  ;y      you  ?t*l«  tf»  ywi,  providod  i 
jiiiiv.^Lu.  '      Altci  ^.>>u*.i^iuQ  i..a  ictici  u^    LUC  4  la  oi   DcocaibcJi",  ho  ^>.t>c<u»  on 


110  DB,   WM.   f.   O.   MORTON, 

Europe  upon  a  speculation  in  pictures.     Arriving  in  Paris,  he  finds  the  whol  li 
scientific  world  agitated  with  this  subject.     He  makes  no  claims.     It  is  not  ti  till 
after  Dr.  Brewster,  of  Paris,  reads  the  publication  by  Marcy  and  Ellswortl  !w 
taken  from  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  and  sends  to  him,  Wells,  "  begging  hiii  pii: 
to  call  on  him  (Brewster)  and  tell  him  if  he  is  the  true  man,"  that  he  is  stimi  ia| 
lated  to  make  the  publication  in  Galignani's  Messenger,  which  is  copied  in  th  ( 
Boston  Atlas. — (Letter  of  Brewster  dated  24th  of  March,  1847.)     In  this  publ 
cation,  his  experiments,  theretofore  stated  to  have  been  with  nitrous  oxide  alon^I 
are  claimed  to  have  bcQn  with  ether  also.     He  is  entirely  unprepared  with  an 
proof.     Dr.  Brewster,  to  the  New  York  Journal  of  Commerce,  says  :  "ImaginlvK 
to  yourselves,  Messrs.  Editors,  a  man  to  have  made  this  more  than  brilliant  diijin 
covery  and  visiting  Europe  without  bringing  with  him  his  proof."    Again,  Brew^ml 
ter  (letter  to  Morton,  dated  21st  of  March,  1847,)  says :  "Dr.  Wells's  visit  tilii 
Europe  had  no  connexion  with  this  discovery  ;  and  it  was  only  after  I  had  seets  < 
the  letter  of  Drs.  Ellsworth  and  Marcy  that  1  prevailed  upon  him  to  present  h 
claims  to  the  Academy  of  Sciences,"  &c. 

He  sailed  for  Europe  upon  his  picture  speculationjs  in  December — is  in  ParLi 
engaged  in  that  business  until  Brewster,  acting  on  the  faith  of  Marcy's  an 
Ellsworth's  publication,  urges  him  to  put  forth  his  claim.     He  then  publishes . 
at  Paris. 

The  publications  and  affidavits  of  Ellsworth,  Marcy,  and  Riggs,  have, 
every  successive  occasion,  expanded  themselves  greatly. 

Equally  remarkable  and  inconsistant  with  fact  is  the  following  preface  in  tl 
publication  made  at  Paris  :  "  The  less  atmospheric  air  is  admitted  into  the  lun 
with  any  gas  or  vapor,  the  better — the  more  satisfactory  will  be  the  result  of 
operation."  '  , 

When  it  is  known  that  the  administration  of  ether  in  sufficient  quantity  ' 
produce  total  insensibility  without  atmospheric  air  occasions  certain  death,  wh; 
ci'edit  is  it  possible  to  g-ive  to  the  assertion  of  fact  made  in  this  publication  ijoii 
Wells,  for  the  first  time,  that  ho  had  used  the  ether  at  all,  or  knew  anything  ; 
ite  properties  in  this  respect.  '  |fai>( 

The  testimony  of  the  physicians  and  surgeons  of  Hartford  and  its  neighbo 
hood,  examined  by  the  United  States  commissioner  under  the  proceeding  befoisai 
referred  to,  sufficiently  shows  that  even  within  that  limited  district  the  alleg( 
discovery  of  Wells  was  not  practically  regarded  as  of  any  value.  This  is  co 
sistent  with  the  judgment  which  Wells  himself  j)ronounced  on  it  after  his  retuA^ 
from  Boston;  but  is  wholly  inconsistent  with  the  face  now  put  on  it  by  Di 
Marcy  and  Ellsworth,  the  only  two  who  go  beyond  mere  rumor  and  hearsay,  iipii 

But  if  Dr.  Marcy  did  make  use  of  the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether  as  an  anae 
thetic  agent  in  the  removal  of  a  tumor,  the  fact  was  of  no  value  to  mankin 
He  did  not  make  it  pilblic.  The  profession  at  large  knew  nothing  of  it;  and 
those  to  whom  he  made  known  the  fact,  he  depreciated  and  discouraged  its  us 
What  he  did  and  said  would  induce  no  one  to  push  his  discoveries  in  that  dirgtoo 
tion,  but  rather  tend  to  discourage  it  and  direct  their  experiments  to  nitrous  o: 
ide.     Such,  Dr.  Wells  says,  was  his  advice  to  him. 

Dr.  Ellsworth  used  it  in  surgery  in  two  cases  after  the  contest  with  sulphniJi^eB 
ether  waxed  hot.     He  cannot  fix  the  date  of  the  first  case,  but  Dr.  Cooley,  w' 
administered  the  gas,  being  interrogated  thus: 

'♦  You  go  on  to  say  that  you  administered  nitrous  oxide  gae  to  several  individuj 
wlio  underwent  seviire  surgical  operations  without  pain.  Was  not  all  these  su 
Bcquc  lit  to  the  discovery  of  the  anajathetic  properties  of  ether  in  1840? 

"Answer.  (In  a  letter  to  Dr.  Morton.)  I  did  not  exhibit  the  nitrous  oxide!  jj'' 
^e  purpose  of  producing  insensibility  to  pain  until  subsequent  to  the  alle^ 
discovery  of  the  anaisthetic  properties  of  ether  by  you  in  1846." 

The  amputation  of  the  thigh  of  tho  boy  Goodale  was  January  1,  1848,  "^ 


Tl 


"J 


Br 
"A 


DB.  WM.  T.   0.   MOBTOIC.  lU 

be  contest  between  gn?  wivi^  at  its  hottest.     Dr.  Ellsworth  saya  it  was 

rfthout  pain.     The  boy  i.-t  viry  painful;  but  it  is  not  important  whether 

or  was  not  paint'ul.     If  thr  boy  had  bfx'n  made  dumb  or  Rtupeficd  with 

'  h<'  would  have  fi^lt  no  pain  from  the  operation.     If  ho  luul   boon  fullj 

led  by  the  gas  be  would  not  have  Alt  pain;  but  it  is  probable  that  neither 

.     ii.  ie  carried  to  that  extent  would  have  been  safe  or  salutary. 

}  Tho  only  place  whore  there  was  ever  any  contest  between  gas  and  ether  was 

li  Hartford,  by  Dr.  Wells  and  his  friends. 

I  The  iiJ'o  of  the  nitrons  o^ide  as  an  anaesthetic  agent  was  never  established 

.       ■      '       '  ■  ;u«^  city  of  IIartf<ird;  and  never,  a.s  far  as  we  know,  obtained 

ii.     In  the  month  of  December,  1844,  it  obtiined  currency 

city  iA'  li.utfonl  for  a  day;  hut  the  disappointment  of  Dr.  Wells  on  his 

ition  in  lio^'ton,  and  his  consequent  abandonment  of  its  use,  put  an  end  to 

.'»rt-lived  reputation,  and  on  the  attempt  to  revive  it  in  1846-'47  it  had 

<  r  short  nm  and  again  sunk  into  disrepute. 

hiu  the  perio<l  of  its  short  revival  Dr.  Beresford,  of  Hartford,  need  it  once, 
J      .  ing  a  tumor  from  a  la,dy  under  its  intiueuce: 

>ue.«;tion.  Have  yon  ever,  in  yonr  practice,  made  use  of  nitrons  oxide  gas  as 

In.  when  first,  and  who  was  the  patient  operated  upon  ? 

.:rd  in  this  city,  January  4,  1848,  on  Mrs.  Charles 

.  I,  icmoviag,  from  the  neighborhood  of  her  shoulder,  a  timior  while  under 

tl  nonce. 

■on.  Have  you  ever  made  use  of  nitrons  oxide  in  any  surgical  opera- 
? 

"  Answer.  No,  sir." 

Tlie  following  are  extracts  from  his  examination  : 

"  Question.  Was  not  the  above  operation  as  successful  and  satisfactory  as  any 
on  have  ever  performed  with  any  other  anaesthetic  agent  ? 

Answer.  It  was  quite  as  successful  aa  any,  so  far  as  destroying  sensibility 
as  concerned. 

Question.  Yon  say  the  operation  you  have  spoken  of  was  quite  aa  snccessful 
A  any  you  ever  pertormed,  so  far  as  destroying  sensibility  was  concerned.  In 
hat  was  the  operation  not  as  successful  1 

'  Answer.  The  patient  was  very  fiiint  and  depressed  for  about  half  an  hour 
?1<T  recovering  her  perception. 

Question.  Was  not  the  administration  of  the  gas  fci  this  case  attended  with 
iphyxial 

'•  x\n3wer.  I  think  not. 

"  Question.  What  was  the  appearance  of  the  face  of  the  patient  ? 

•'  Answer.  At  this  distance  of  time  I  cannot  remember,  to  speak  with  precision. 

*'Qu(~!;nTi.   1'  ,1  that  Dr.  Wells  ever  perfected  and  brought 

to  gent  nil  u-  -  as  an  anaesthetic  agent  in  surgical  operations! 

"^Vuswer.  No,  sir;  1  do  not  think  he  did. 

•'  Question.  Is  nitrous  oxide,  in  your  judgment,  a  valuable  anesthetic  agent 
I  dentil!  and  surgical  operations  ? 

"Answer.  I  have  never  used  it  but  ig  the  case  above  allnded  to,  and  give  a 
5cided  preference  to  chloroform  in  surgical  operations." 

Dr.  Crane,  of  Uar-     '    .   ,    ^ 

"Answer.  I  one  I  it  to  Dr.  Warner.     He  brought  a  bag,  which 

3  said,  and  which  I  supposed,  contained  nitrous  oxide,  from  Dr.  Wells's  office, 
id  under  its  influence  I  extracted  a  number  of  his  teeth.     I  think  four. 

"  Question.  When  was  this  1 

"Answer.  I  think  in  March,  1846, 


ii2 


DR.   WM.    T.*a.   MORTON. 


'    "Question.  In  your  judgment  is  nitrous  oxide  gas  a  valuable  and  efficii 
anaesthetic  agent  in  dental  operations?' 
'"'■  ;  '•"  AnsAVer.  i- should  say  no." 

Dr.  J.  M.  Greeuleaf,  of  Hartford,  says: 

"  Question.  Have  you  ever  made  rise  of  nitrous  oxide  gas  in  your  dental  bu 
■nesS  to  prevent  pain  in- extracting  teeth?  '   .       .    ' 

"Answer.  No,  sir.  ■'■■     '  ^  ■?•..-•' ■  ♦'•••' 

"Question.  Have  you  ever  seen  it  administeried j  afM •  if  so,  by  whom  .! 
where?  \  .  '  '         '   '  '"   '■'";  •'^'" 

"Ai'swer.  I  saw  it  aidmiuistered  once,  by  Drl'^l  A'.  Gooley,  which  prodin 
vomiting.     This  was  at  my  office.  '     ■       "     ■ 

"Question.  Was  the  experiment  entirely  unsuccessful? 
"Answer.  Yes." 

.:  Dr.  Cynel  Bullock„  surgeon  dentist,  of  Hartford,  says: 

"Question.  Have  you  ever,  in  your  practice,  made  use  of  nitrous  oxide  gas 

•.,ran  anajsthetie  agent  J  if  yea,  when  first,  and  who  was  the  patient  operated  upc 

l  H'^' Answer.   Yes;   1   operated  in  this  city,  January  4,  1848,  on  Mrs.  Char 

^■•Gabriel,!  removing,  from  the  neighborhood  of  her  shoulder,  ,  a  tumor,  wb 

•  under  its 'influence..    '    '^  .  •  '..ii'  ■><[.  ':.■>,'.•,:;'  I 

"  Question.  Have  you  ever  made  use  of  nitrous  oxide  in  any  surgical  operati 

"Answer.  N'o,  sir. 

"Answer.  I  have,  about  the  year  1846  or  1847,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  P.  H^ 
in  this  city,  by  S.  A.  Cooley.     It  was  iipt  successful.     It  was  administered  tl 
I  mi^ht  extiact  some, teeth,  but  it  did  not  produce  insensibility,  and  I  did 
"C^fefadtthfeteetb. '■■*;■      .  :':■'.  v  ;  .    / ''     ' 

.r.V.Question.  What' was  the  effect  prodticed  on  the  ji^tient? 
'^'  •■"Ail swCT.*"  She  appe^ried  wild  ahd  restless.'**  '' 

■  It  is  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  ftom  all  this  evidence,  that  nitrous  ux.   | 
iriwas  not  used  by  the  profession  genersilly  in  the' city  of  Hartford,  or  appro\  * 
by  them  at  any  time  as  an  anaesthetic  a^ent. 

iiroif  1.  ;  ';f:,:i  -r..  'r  .■''  ''■  '•  ■      '     -■;      .'.-  ■■     •     . 

J.  Mason  Warren,  physician  and  surgeon,  being  sworn,  said: 

'""'"I  iiSve  never  'seen  nitrous  oxide  used  but  once  As  an  anaesthetic  agent 
was  an  experiment  in  1848.  My  belief  is  that  it  is  not  to  be  compared  in 
effects  with  sulphuric  ether."  .!')'.;.     .' 

G^eo,  Hay  ward,  physician  and  surgeon,  being  sworn,  isaid : 
•'^    "In  my  dpim<m,  the  use  of  nitrous ' vyxide  gas  is  not  altegether  safe,  anc 

•  is  by  tib  means  efficient  or  convenient.     I  never  »aw  it  attempted  to  be  m 
but  once,  and  then  with  only  partial  success.     The'  effects  produced  by 

'  TnKuIiitMh  ard- vei-y  iinc^'tain,  and' v<ery  differelit  iri   difiVrent  subjects,  a 
therefore  it  cannot  be  relied  upon  for  the  purpose*  of  ftiir^eons." 

Henry  J.  BigeloWj'jAysician  and- surgeon,  being  STTorn,  said: 

"The  nitrous  oxideis  u.^ually  administered  from  ft  ba^,  under  the  name 
;Iobici«il«raTlmr  'yaisc-  :  \  slioiUd  llnnk  it.  altri,'»fther  iuHdequnte  to  produce  eithe 
.iTcertairi  ility,  or  one  tliafc  wrtsavailahi<>  for  eui"g-icAl  ])nrposes,  except 

induciii-  ^..^^juyxia,  vvhicJj  i»  <langerou*,  an^i  which  is  jio  pan  of  true  anicsthet 
It  is  a  gas,  and  must  be  iiiiialed  by  means  of  an  orilicu, in  the  vessel  wh 
contains  it.  TIu'  difiiculty  in  the  WHy.pj^aipc;<J€i»«,,^to!it  M  i^ihaled.from  i 
usu«l  h'v#i^  ^'"'^  f''**  Hunply  of" oxygen  which  it  coutains  is  soon  exhaust 
while  Liie  ba.i;-  Ijccuiai.'rt  iilii.il   vrnJa   thw  n.jxiouo  •xkiitiLioi:*.  oi'  the  luii^r 


o 


PR,  WM.  T.   O.   MORTON.  113 

Lrratliinp  fVrsli  pupply  of  vapor,  well  mixed  wi;  -spheric  air,  i* 

til      '  •  .  tlic  lung^  At  every  Dreath.  whilo  what  i«*  breHilnMl  uut  of  the  lan^s 
ito  the  npartraent  as  wiu»to.     Nitrons  oxyde  ip  not  of  much  vahu*  ha 
an  '  tic  agont.     An  obvious  and  inpupomblc  objwtion  to  it  ii*  it-   'ilk 

Hn  iinculty  of  it«  transportation.     Even  if  it  were  compact.  I  kn. 

evidence  that  it  ia  an  efficient  agent.     It  is  not  anywhere  used  at  the  li 
or  elBCwhce,  in  surgical  operations,  nor  in  obstetric  cases,  to  my  knov...w_ 

Dr.  Marcy,  with  whom  Dr,  Wells  counselled  much,  and  who  operated  in  and 
isportcd  the  operation  ou  the  scirrous  testicle  above  referred  to,  under  th«' 
i^jlmence  of  the  nitrous  oxide,  and  certifies  to  the  success  of  the  operation, 
entertained  th«'  same  opinion  with  Doctors  Wells  and  Uiggs.  He  did  not 
believe  that  nitrous  oxide  was  at  the  same  time  safe  and  efficacious  as  an 
.  «iissthetic  agrnL  In  an  article  published  in  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  De- 
cember 30, 184G,  when  the  medical  world  was  active  with  Dr.  Morton's  discovery. 
.(he  says: 

**  My  ow^n  opinion  in  regard  to  the  use  of  the  nitrous  oxidp  gas,  the  sulphuric 
€ther,  or  any  other  stimulant  which  acts  u|^n  the  system  in  such  a  manner  as 
to  render  the  body  insensible  to  external  impressions,  is,  that  it  is  decidedly 
aaaafe,  and  that  in  no  given  case  can  we  be  certain  that  it  will  not  cau^r 
congestion  of  the  brain  or  lungs.  I  have  known  the  use  of  both  the  first 
named  articles  to  give  rise  to  temporary  congestion  of  the  brain  and  insanity." 
From  all  thi.>*  i*  lent  that  nitrous  oxide  has  never  been,  and  is  not  now, 

approved  by  tli.  ] -^  i- ~^ion  generally.  In  the  second  short  period  of  its  ex- 
istence Dr.  Weils  attempted  to  introduce  nitrous  oxide  gas  into  the  New  York 
hospital,  the  failure  of  which  is  detailed  in  the  followng  letter  : 

"  New  York,  October  1,  1858. 

•*  I  recollect  disthictly  having  been  present  in  the  operating  theatre  of  the 
New  York  hospital,  in  1847,  to  witness  an  operation  by  the  late.  Dr.  John 
Kearny  llogers.  Dr.  Horace  Wells  was  present  and  administered  nitrous  oxide 
gas  to  the  patient,  with  the  object  of  producing  insensibility  to  the  pain  of  the 
operation,  but  the  attempt  was  unsnccessfal,  as  the  patient  seemed  to  suffer 
about  as  much  pain  as  might  have  been  anticipated  under  ordinary  circumstances. 
A  large  number  of  surgeons  and  physicians  were  present,  among  whom  was  Dr. 
Valentine  Mott,  and  other  prominent  members  of  the  profession. 

"  As  th«;  supply  of  the  supposed  anaesthetic  agent  was  apparently  ample, 
judging  from  the  large  size  of  the  bags  containing  it,  and  its  administration  con- 
ducted fairly  and  fully,  the  general  impretsion  upon  the  spectators  seemed  to 
me  to  be  decidedly  unfavorable  as  to  its  power  of  producing  insen.<ibility  to  pain 

"WM.  H.  VAN  BUREN,  M,  D." 

Dr.  James  R.  Chilton,  an  eminent  chemist  of  New  York  city,  who  was  pres- 
ent, and  prepared  the  nitrous  oxide  for  the  experiment,  says  the  application  wa^ 
not  successful,  "  the  patient  screaming  out  under  the  operation."  The  French 
Academy  of  Science,  on  rejecting  these  claims,  remarked  that  the  nitrous  o;vde 
was  dangerous  and  improper,  and  did  not  produce  the  effects  alleged  by  Horace 
Wells. 

Drs.  Mott,  Francis,  and  Parker,  eminent  surgeons  of  New  York  r'r-r.  vrrrr 
led  to  believe,  by  ex  parte  statements,  that  Dr.  Wells  was  the  first  <  r  nt 

a  safe  and  a\,ii'  i^!'    ina^sthetic  agent,  in   the  month  of  1).,.  i;;'.  n.ide 

affidavit  to  tl  f.  fcut  on  full  information  they  chan;;    .  ^  'uwi 

gave  the  public  to  know  the  fact  by  the  following  card  : 

"  The  undersigned,  fearing  that  the  poblic  may  be  misled  by  the  repAblica- 
tion  at  this  time  of  certain  affidavits  made  by  them  in  the  month  o^  Dfe^oember, 
1862,  in  which  we  severally  asserted  our  Wief  that  Horace  WelLa,.  o£  Hlurtford, 
Rep.  Cora.  89 8 


114  DE.   WM.  T.   G.   MORTON. 

Connecticut,  was  the  original  discoverer  of  the  anaesthetic  principle  as  applied 
to  the  removal  of  pain  in  surgical  operations ;  which  affidavits  were  made  by 
us  at  the  solicitation,  and  in  consequence  of  the  representations  of  the  Hon, 
Truman  Smith,  then  United  States  senator  from  Connecticut,  we  feel  it  to  be 
our  duty  to  state  that  a  subsequent  and  careful  examination  of  the  facts  in  the 
history  of  the  discovery  of  ancesthesia  have  led  m  to  a  different  conclusion. 

'*  The  undersigned  coincide  in  the  belief  that  the  first  great  triumph  oi 
placing  in  the  hands  of  the  profession  an  agent  capable  of  rendering  the  patient, 
safely  and  at  will,  utterly  insensible  to  the  stroke  of  the  surgeon's  knife,  was  in 
detecting  and  establishing  by  experiment  the  anaesthetic  powers  of  sulphuric 
ether.  For  this  discovery  the  world  is  indebted  to  Dr.  Wm.  T.  C  Morton,  of 
Boston.  Whatever  may  have  been  the  steps  preliminary  to  this  remarkable 
discovery,  Dr.  Morton's  claim  to  it  is  established  beyond  all  controversy,  and 
his  merit  in  this  respect,  with  those  who  have  taken  the  trouble  to  inform  them- 
selves on  the  subject,  can  be  no  longer  a  question  of  dispute.  Holding  this 
opinion,  they  have  signed  the  *  appeal  of  members  of  the  medical  profession,' 
in  this  city  and  Boston,  to  establish  a  national  testimonial,  by  voluntary  sub- 
scription, for  the  benefit  of  Dr.  Wm.  T.  Gr.  Morton,  and  have  united  in  recom- 
mending his  claims  for  remuneration  to  the  consideration  of  then-  fellow-citizens, 
and  of  soliciting  their  subscriptions  in  behalf  of  the  fund. 

"VALENTINE  MOTT,  M,D. 
.  v-t^  J^  4  mi  ^  "  WILLARD  PARKER,  M.  D.** 

.^  *  "New  York,  December  17,  1858. 

"  I  hereby  set  forth  that  my  concurrence  in  the  recommendation  of  Dr.  Mor- 
ton's claims  for  public  remuneration  was  grounded  on  the  conclusive  evidence 
that  through  his  experiments,  perseverance,  and  energy  it  was  made  manifest 
that  sulphuric  ether  might  be  used  as  an  effective  anaesthetic  agent  in  surgical 
operations.  To  Dr.  Morton's  early  devotion  I  believe  the  world  is  indebted  for  K^^ 
the  important  knowledge  we  possess  on  this  subject  so  interesting  to  humanity.)  * 

«  JOHN  W.  FRANCIS,  M.  D."     [  ^' 


Co 


k\ 


e» 


It  failed  in  the  New  York  hospitals.  It  has  never  been  adopted  in  any  of 
our  public  institutions,  nor  in  the  army  or  the  navy  of  the  United  States,  and 
it  is  not  at  all  known  that  it  could  or  can  be  used  with  safety.  Its  strongest 
advocates  would  hardly  now  risk  their  reputation  by  using  it  in  a  capital  case, 
if  indeed  it  were  possible  to  find  a  subject  who  would  submit  to  an  operation 
under  its  influence,  or  a  surgeon  who  would  be  willing  to  administer  it. 

So  desirous  was  Dr.  Morton  of  showing  this  fact,  that  on  one  occasion,  when  ^ ' 
the  subject  was  before  a  congressional  committee,  and  his  claim  was  opposed 
and  the  virtues  of  ether  condenmed,  he  submitted  to  that  body  the  following 
£air  and  impartial  proposition : 

"National  Hotel, 
"  Washington,  January  18,  IS.'JS* 

"Dear  Sir:  The  subject  of  the  discovery  of  anaesthesia  being  nOw  beibrc 
a  committee  of  which  yon  are  chairman,  I  beg  leave  to  submit  to  yon,  and 
through  you  to  a  committee,  a  proposition. 

"One  of  those  who  contest  my  right  to  the  discovery  does  so  on  the  grotmc 
that  anaesthesia  had  been  discovered  by  Dr.  WcUb  prior  to  my  alleged  discovery  'tie 
and  that  the  anaesthetic  agent  used  in  the  discovery  by  Dr.  Wells  was  aitrou* 
oxide  gas.  Now,  if  anaesthesia,  for  surgical  purposes,  was  ever  discoverec 
through  nitrous  oxide  gas  as  the  agent,  that  agent,  for  the  same  purposes,  wil 
still  manifiist  its  efficiency.  I  deny  that  such  a  discovery,  by  means  of  saic 
Agent,  ever  was  made,  or  that  said  a^ent  possesses  available  anaesthetic  proper 

i 


.  T 
DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON.  115 

tie*  alonr  for  surgical  operation?.     At  th<»  9Rme  time  I  a??prt  and  claim  thM 

ana     '  was  first  il'  -i,    .;  .       i.  i 1,^^^ 

Til-  '  Drove   ih    •     :    n  •  v  :    ^.  ■.-  h\f 

ana  !i  ^u^;^'loul  Hji.  .ind  that  it 

also  i:...  ic  tihcr  was  di.i    \   .  d  to  be  an  .'iN-.-I^Lx 

such  pir  md  IB  8o  now,  1  propose  that  an  actual  d» ;  be 

maxl«'  *  '''"^•^•♦tee  of  the  two  agents,  in  such  sui^ic.^l  M.jKf.tLMMi  or 

op<  r  <1  fair  tests  by  scientific  men,  at  such  time  as  the  com- 

mittee may  tun  11,  aim  patients  obtained. 
"  Your:*,  very  truly, 

"W.  T.  G.  MUKTUM,  M.  D.    ^ 
i.   P.  WalcBR,  Chairman,  ^." 

ITiis  offer  was  acioept^  by  the  committee,  who  selected  a  prominent  sur- 

/     '    '  •'■      '. '  •" -rratiou.      Apprehensive   that   it   might    be   said 

_  .        aid  not  be  proiurcd.  Dr.  Morton  caused  it  to  be 

.  Kidwell,  (a  ci  •    ^  l  by  a  pro- 

1     i<    .liege;)  and  furt;i- .,  :m -i-.-rv    i.,      i:-,mm,,i  itdpurity.he 

it  to  several   persons  on  the  evening  of  January  21xh,  in  his 

pr  -  that  of  several  senators. 

Ti  .lion  came  off  on  the  2Sth,  at  the  Washington  Infirmary,  whert* 

Dr.  >  patient  and  the  nitrons  oxide  ^jn^  in  readiness.   The  surgeon  was 

vap  i  rman  of  the  committee  to  use  the  nitrous  oxide.     He  refused 

p*^  '        Tiiv.     lie  had  also  been  requested  to  do  so  by  Mr.  Tnunan  Smith,  the 
I  of  Congress  who  supported  the  claim  for  the  heirs  of  Dr.  Wells,  and 

i:^ed.     Dr.  Morton  then  proceeded,  in  presence  of  the  committee,  and  of 
_       ^  of  the  army  and  navy,  and  of  the  medical  class,  to  administer  ether. 
Col  ,    I      w       ,,    >  ,.  ,,,  ,T,,  ,  ,],  which  continued  through  a  dangerous  and 

proii  .  ,a-  ..  i:  about  three  quarters  of  an  hour. 

And  \  virtues  now  which  it  ever  had,  and  the  success  which 

attended   -  -  r  its  influ»'nce  in  Hartford,  in  1S44  and  in  1S47,  if  they 

were  real,  and  not  dependant  on  circumstances,  would  also  attend  them  now  in 
my  of  our  public  hospitals.  The  ethtric  vapors,  administered  by  the  hand  of 
Dr.  Morton  at  Fredericksburg  to  the  wounded  fresh  from  the  battle  field,  proved 
ful  in  more  than  one  hundred  cases,  and  failed  not  in  one.  Your  com- 
do  not  think  that  the  attempt  of  Dr.  Wells  to  find  a  useful  and  practicable 
*}:r*--  .iTont  in  nitrous  oxide  gas,  and  his  failure  in  that  attempt,  entitle  him 
-o  J.I  •    Mor  or  reward,  or  that  it  detracts  at  all  from  the  merits  of  the  man 

ivb..  aid,  m  tact,  find  and  give  to  his  country  and  th«  world  a  #q/ir,  certain,  and 
uvenient  aua'sthetic  agent. 


CLAIMS   OF   CONTESTANTS. — A   SL'QUBSTION. 

Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson  also  claims  th**  -   '  -  •    '        v.  ry.     On  the  23d 

ay  of  F»'l>niary.  1S49,  Dr.  W.  T.  G.  M.:         ,  ,-ress  a  memorial 

skiu^  c      '  •        '—  •  :;c  or  paiu-subduing  properties 

f  ttheru   V  t,    .  ,   i.  .   MM   :;..,,      ,  ..._   u      -        Dr.  Jackson  by  the  chairman 
f  the  committee  to  which  the  memorial  was  referred : 

■"o  the  StnaU  and  Hotue  qf  Re^escTUatircs  of  the  United  States  in  Congress 

assembled: 

The  undersigned  b«ge  leave  to  represent  that,  whereas  a  memorial  has  been 
1)^1  resented  to  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  by  William  Thomas  Careen 


1j  PE.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

Morton,  of  the  city  of  Boston,  in  the  State  of  Massachusetts,  representing  that 
in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six,  he,  the  said 
Morton,  made,  in  the  city  of  Bo?ton  aforesaid,  a  discovery  hy  which  the  human 
body  is  rendered  insensible  to  pain  during  surgical  operations,  and  during  otjier 
serious  and  violent  ajffections,  by  means  of  the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether  inhaled 
into  the  lungs — praying,  also,  for  a  national  renumeration  or  reward  for  m&king 
the  said  discovery,  and  for  its  practical  application;  and  whereas  the  said  dis- 
covery was  made  by  the  undersigned,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  said  Mor- 
ton, and  without  the  co-operation  or  assistance  of  any  person  whomsoever,  and 
was  communicated  by  the  undersigned  to  various  persons,  from  the  spring  anc 
autumn  of  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-two  to  the  thirtieth  day  of  September 
^  eighteen  hundred  and  forty-six  inclusive,  and  on  the  said  thirtieth  day  of  Sep 
tember  was  also  communicated  by  the  undersigned  to  the  said  Morton,  he,  th< 
said  Morton,  being,  previous  to  the  said  coinmunication  of  the  discovery  to  him 
wholly  ignorant  of  the  anaesthetic  properties  and  effects  of  sulphuric  ether  afore 
said;  and  whereas  the  undersigned  did,  also,  on  the  thirtieth  day  of  September 
eighteen  hundred  and  forty  six,  devise  and  commit  to  the  said  Morton  the  per 
formance  of  an  experiment  for  the  verification  of  the  said  discovery,  so  far  a 
the  extracting  of  teeth  is  concerned ;  and  whereas  the  said  Morton,  acting 
strict  conformity  with  the  instructions,  and  upon  the  exclusive  and  expressly 
assumed  responsibility  of  the  undersigned,  did,  to  the  extent  of  a  painles 
extraction  of  a  tooth,  successfully  verify  the  said  discovery;  and  whereas  th 
undersigned  did,  shortly  afterwards,  cause  the  discovery  to  be  further  verifie 
by  the  surgeons  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  in  the  first  painless  capita 
operation  ever  performed  under  the  influence  of  the  ether  vapor;  and  wherea 
the  signature  of  the  undersigned  to  certain  letters  patent,  taken  out  in  the  joir, 
names  of  the  undersigned  and  of  the  said  Morton,  declaring  the  discovery  to  t^f 
their  joint  invention,  was  obtained  through  the  representation  of  Robert  I 
Eddy,  esq.,  of  siiid  Boston,  the  solicitor  by  whom  the  said  letters  patent  wei 
procured,  and  copartner  with  the  said  Morton  in  the  profits  thereof,  that  t\ 
undersigned  "might  lose  all  his  credit  as  a  discoverer,"  if  he  did  not  consei 
to  become  a  party  to  the  said  letters  patent;  and  whereas  the  undersigned,  aft 
being  instructed  by  eminent  legal  counsel  that  the  said  Morton  had  not  rendere 
himself  in  any  sense  a  joint  discoverer,  by  reason  of  the  painless  extraction  of  jT 
tooth  as  aforesaid,  and  that  he  had  not  thereby  acquired  any  right  either  to  i  ^j 
exclusive  patent  or  to  a  participation  with  the  undersigned  in  any  patent  up<j., 
the  said  discovery,  did  publicly  repudiate  all  connexion  with  the  said  letter, 
patent,  and  did  refuse  any  part  of  the  proceeds  arising  from,  the  sale  of  license, 
under  the  same,  and  did,  as  he  originally  intended,  give  the  discovery  freely  .^J 
the  world  to  the  full  extent  of  his  interest,  evidence  of  all  which  is  herewi    ,, 
submitted.     The  undersigned  does,  therefore,  eameatly  remonstrate  against  t    '/ 
memorial  of  the  said  Morton,  and  prays  that  his  petition  may  not  be  grantCj  i' 
and  that  there  may  not  be,  on  the  part  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  Stat«l>j  ^ 
any  recognition  whatever  of  his  claims  to  the  said  discovery. 

CHARLES  T.  JACKSON.^ 
Washington,  D.'C.»  January  29,  1849.  n^^^ 

This  claim  has  been  three  times  examined  and  as  ofteij  rejected  by  ihi  ^^'^'^^ 
several  committees  of  Congress.  Your  committee  will,  however,  proceed  to '  ^piio 
re-examination,  availing  themselves  of  the  evidence  as  collated  and  the  argumej  [*^ff 
as  presetited  by  the  several  committees  indiscriminately,  as  they  may  find  th  ^^P'tyi 
most  just  and  most  cogent.  The  application  of  the  evidence  already  considd  ^^^^^i 
to  this  particulfir  controversy  necessarily  involves  some  repetition,  but  in  t  ^^ij 
yonr  committee  will  be  as  brief  as  is  possible  to  be,  at  thfe  same  time  intelli^l  ^'^'^fai 
Dr.  Jackson  asserts,  and  it  is  essential  to  the  support  of  his  claim,  that  dowr  ^e, 
the  30th  of  September,  1846,  Eh:.  Morton  knew  nothing  of  sulphuric  etheir  '"f « 


DE,   WM.   T.   O.   MORTON.  117 

appearance,  its  qualitii v^.,  it>  .  tim  ,  ;im  ii  '  i;.  had  never  seen  it  nntil  on  that 
day,  when  he  Hhowi'd  it  to  him  and  directed  him  how  and  for  what  pnrposeB  to 
use  it  ln«l»<'d,  that  he  lacked  the  knowKnlge  common  t<>  hix  |.r..ri  s^lmi,  and 
in  ill!  ing  the  cthiiT  he  could  only  have  acted  in   «  is. 

Thir«  alit  .ration  your  committee  will  now  consider.     PH t  ihid 

diacoverj',  Dr.  Morton  attended  the  lectun^s  of  the  Ma-  a!  Col- 

li L-'     iui\  th(^  elini<  M    ir-rnictions  of  the  general   hos|iitai,  :iii(i   sub:*r(juently 
I  hia  medir  <   at  the  Wai^hingtoTi  University.  Maryland.     (Jn  the 

h  of  March,  1S41,  Dr.  Morton,  then  a  pra<  i  (  in  -  :.  iri  t,  entered  1—  ;  me 
.>,;h   Dr.  .Kick  son  as  a  student  in  medicine,  v  .      .  lim  a  certii —       nf- 

^ciently  commendatory.     It  ifl  aa  foUowa  : 

►  Jh  tk$  secretary  of  the  executive  committee  of  the  American  Society  of  Dental 

Surgeon* : 

Mr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton,  dentist,  entered  hia  name  with  me  as  a  student  of 
'medicine  March  20,  1844,  and  attended  to  practical  anatomy  in  the  Ma.ssachu- 
■setta  Medical  College  during  the  winter  of  that  year,  where  he  dissected  with 
diligence  and  zeal,  and  paid  speciaJ  attention  to  the  anatomy  of  the  head  and 
Uhroat — })artH  of  human  anatomy  particularly  important  to  the  surgeon  dentist. 
[He  also  studied  Bell's  and  other  standard  works  on  anatomy,  and  attended  the 
'lectures  of  Drs.  Warren,  Hay  ward,  and  other  professors.  I  would  recommend 
fhim  as  a  suitable  person  for  admission  as  a  dental  surgeon.  He  is  a  skiifnl 
'operator  in  dentistry,  boti  in  surgical  and  mechanical  departments,  and  has 
lied  the  chemical  properties  of  the  ingredients  required  for  the  manufacture 
\\ji  artificial  teeth. 

CHARLES  T.  JACKSON.  M.  D. 

Prior  to  this  time.  Dr.  Jackson  had,  as  he  states,  recommended  chloric  ether 

'        '    ^'         1     .  'ion  to  allay  pain  in  the  teeth  and  gums,  and  had  furnished 

'I  M  li  ,  -  1  -ton,  his  friends,  with  the  article  in  its  purity;  he  does 
not  name  Dr.  Morton  among  the  number,  but  from  the  relations  which  subsisted 
between  them,  from  the  fact  that  Dr.  Morton  was  at  that  time  the  family  dentist 
of  Dr.  Jackson,  as  well  as  his  student  in  medicine,  your  committee;  think  the 
statement  of  Dr.  Morton,  in  thia  particular,  supported  by  that  of  Dr.  Jackson. 
Add  to  this  the  fact,  well  known  at  the  time  to  college  students,  and  especially 
to  students  of  r  1:<  T-i-tiy  and  medicine,  that  the  vapor  ofi  ulphuric  ether,  inhaled 
for  a  short  tii:  •  d  pain,  and  we  have  the  circumsUmces  which  would  nat- 

arally  direct  the  niiiul  of  the  inquirer  to  that  substance  as  one  who&e  inhalation 
would  be  probably  safe,  and  which  would  render  the  patient  insensible  during 
I  A\otX  but  painful  operation.  As  additional  proof  of  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Morton's  studies,  and  that  he  had  the  Tneans  in  his  power  of  knowing  all  that 
kvas  known  of  thi-  '    •'         •  '  -d   as  a  nepenthe,  your  comi 

ire  referred  to  a  li   .     i  iv     ^    :  j    Dr.  Jiloitou  of  B.  B.  Mu>-' ; 

Boston,  on  the  3d  of  l^Liy,  1845.  Among  them  is  Pereria'a  Materia  Mtdica, 
•v'hich  contains  the  following  sentence :  *'  The  vapor  of  ether  is  inhaled  in 
spasmodic  asthma,  chronic  catarrh,  dyt^pepsia,  and  whooping  cough,  and  to  riiicve 
he  cffi'cts  ravstd  f.n  thr  accidentnJ  i  "/"hit  ion  t,f  rhhtrir  ^asy  Its  intoxicating  or 
■tupifying  « i:  r,  as  we  li.  i   known  to  students  and 

•cieutitic  miii. 

This,  taken  in  connexion  with  the  conversation  with  Theodore  Metcalf.  a 
•elebrated  chemist  of  Boston,  a^s  early  as  May,  1846,  just  befon*  he  sailed  for 
Europe,  in  which  he  gave  Dr.  Morton  all  the  then  current  knowledge  on  th*- 
ubject  of  the  inhalation  of  the  vapor  of  ether,  and,  amouL^     '  •   • 

.n  account  of  administering  it  to  a  student,  who  hurt   I 

ta  influence,  and  knew  nothing  of  the  injury  until  it  waa  pointed  out  to  liiin 


lis  DB.   WM.   T,   G.  MORTON. 

afterwardg,  (see  page  13 ;)  and  the  testimony  of  Granyille  G.  Hayden  and 
Francis  "Whitman,  (pp.  15, 16,)  places  the  fact  of  his  previous  knowledge  beyond 
doubt. 

Your  committee  are  satisfied  from  the  statement  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  from  the 
evidence  by  which  it  is  thus  far  fully  corroborated,  that  prior  to  and  on  the  30th 
of  September,  1846,  he  was  occupied  with  the  conviction  that  an  ansesthetic 
agent  might  be  discovered  which  would  remove  all  insensibility  to  pain  in  pa- 
tients submitted  to  the  operations  of  the  dentist ;  that  sulphuric  ether  was  the 
agent ;  and  that  perfect  success  required  only  full  assurance  of  its  safety,  ether 
ot  a  good  quality,  and  the  proper  mode  of  administering  it;  that  he  sought  as- 
surance of  these  by  consulting  books  to  which  he  had  access,  and  learned  men 
from  whom  he  could  obtain  the  current  knowledge  and  experience  of  the  day. 

On  the  30th  of  September,  1846,  as  he  declares,  he  called  on  Dr.  Jackson 
with  a  view  of  obtaining  such  information  as  would,  if  possible,  remove  the 
difficulties  which  he  had  encountered,  and,  at  the  same  time,  with  a  determination 
to  conceal  from  him  the  object  of  his  long  and  earnest  pursuit,  lest  his  hint 
should  be  taken  and  he  be  anticipated  in  his  discovery.  There  were  four  per- 
sons present  at  tliis  interview,  and  each  gives  an  account  different  from  the  rest 
as  to  what  occurred  at  it.  All,  however,  agree  in  one  particular,  namely, 
that  Dr.  Morton  assumed  total  ignorance  of  sulphuric  ether,  its  nature  and 
qualities,  and  left  the  impression  on  the  minds  of  those  present  that  he  knew 
nothing  of  it.  That  he  did  at  that  time,  in  fact,  know  much  of  sulphuric  ether; 
that  it  had  for  many  months  preceding  been  the  subject  of  his  earnest  thought 
and  sedulous  inquiry ;  that  his  mind  was  so  much  possessed  with  it  that  he 
feared,  in  every  one  with  whom  he  conversed,  a  rival  who  might  anticipate  him 
in  his  discovery  and  developments  of  its  quality,  is  proved  to  the  entire  satisfac- 
tion of  your  committee.  A  former  committee  of  this  House,  to  whose  able 
report  we  shall  often  have  occasion  to  refer,  speaking  of  the  disguise  thus  prac- 
ticed by  Dr.  Morton,  says  : 

"  This  does  not  militate  against  the  general  effect  of  the  statement  of  Dr. 
Morton.  He  went,  as  he  says,  to  Dr.  Jackson  to  obtain  certain  infoimation ; 
but  at  the  same  time  anxious  to  conceal  from  him  the  object  of  his  pursuit, 
being  fearful  lest  Dr.  Jackson  might  anticipate  him  in  bringing  the  discovery  to 
perfection.  We  deal  with  this  matter  as  a  question  of  fact,  not  of  morals,  and 
do  not  decide  whether  Dr.  Morton  might  consistently,  with  the  obligation  which 
truth  imposes,  use  artificial  means  to  conceal  a  mental  conception  which  he  did 
not  wish  to  divulge. 

'*  We  believe,  however,  where  a  person  has  a  right  to  his  secret,  and  is  under 
no  obligations  to  disclose  it,  a  direct  denial  of  that  which  was  the  fact,  for  the 
purpose  of  such  concealment,  has  not  been  visited  with  stx'ong  moral  censure. 
We  would  instance  the  case  of  Walter  Scott  at  the  table  of  George  IV,  who, 
when  toasted  by  his  Majesty  as  the  author  of  Waverly,  declared  he  was  not 
the  author." 

Your  committee  concur  ifi  the  opinion  that,  if  any  moral  censure  is  to  be 
visited  upon  Dr.  Morton  for  a  studied  concealment  of  his  possession  of  what  he 
deemed  to  be  a  treasure  above  all  price,  and  for  the  safety  of  which  he  so  much 
feared,  that  censure  must  be  slight  indeed.  His  account  of  the  interview  will 
be  found  in  his  memoir  to  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  at  Paris,  set  out 
in  the  report  of  1852. 

Dr.  Jackson,  wlio  first  publicly  made  claim  to  the  discovery  after  its  immense 
importance  was  established  by  S(,'veral  safe  and  painless  operations  under  its  in- 
lluencc  in  the  medical  hospital,  avers  that  he  first  disclosed  to  Dr.  Morton  the 
urc-  of  the  vapor  of  pure  sulphuric  ether  on  the  30th  of  September;  that  he  then 
communicated  to  him  his  prior  discovery  of  its  anaesthetic  qualities,  and  assured 
him  that  it  would  prevent  all  pain  in  a  surgical  operation,  and  that  it  could  bo 
used   with  perfect  safety;  in  short,  that  he.  Dr.  Jackson,  then  employed  Dr. 


DB.   WM.   T.   O.   MORTON.  119 

Morton  M  1rf§  HgCBt)  operator,  or  ''nurte,''  to  ndminister  thin  pain-dofitroyin^ 
vapor ;  and  that  then,  in  the  presence  of  two  witncssefl,  he  distinctly  took  upon 
himself  all  the  responsibility  of  ita  administration. 

One  of  the  witnisses  present,  George  O.  Barnes,  ststains  Dr.  Jack- 
mcnt  in  two  matorijil  points,  namely,  tliat  when  he  advised  thf  i  !  rraiioji 

of  sulphuric   ether,   he  averred  that  it  would  render  the  operati"     ,  -hi,  and 

that  it  was  safe,  and  he  would  be  repponsible  for  its  consequenct-s. 

llie  otln^r  witn«>5>«',  James  Mclntire,  though  evidently  teiitifyin^  with  a  strong 
opinion  I'      ^T  •' ai,  does  not  support  Dr.  Jackson  on  either  of  th«?ae 

importaiii   ^     i  il-    -lys,  Dr.  Jackson  advised  the  use  of  sul])huric  ether; 

said  it  was  s;ife,  and  that  it  "woultl  make  the  patients  insensible,  and"  the 
operator  •*  could  do  what  he  had  a  mind  to  with  them."  Hut  he  states  no 
assumption  of  responsibility,  and  no  (»pinion  or  assurance  of  Dr.  Jackson,  that 
the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether  would  render  the  patient  so  insensible  as  not  to 
perceive  pain.  The  evidence  of  these  witnesses  will  be  more  particularly  con- 
sidered in  nn  *Vi(  r  connexion.  Suffice  it  for  the  present  to  say  that  your  com- 
mittee .11  (I  that  Dr.  Jackson  did  not,  on  that  day,  " exprexsly'*  assume 
any  sui  1  -ibility.  They  cannot  credit  it,  for  it  is  provt  (]  l.\  >  \  idence, 
and  wa-  J  in  the  argument  by  Dr.  Jackson's  counsel  !  he  com- 
mittee oi  164'J,  that  the  morning  after  the  successful  operation  of  ^September  30, 
when  the  tiame  wad  reported  to  .him,  he  refused  to  certify  in  icriting  for  Dr. 
Morton  that  the  vapor  might  be  inhaled  with  safety.  Dr.  Ja<  1  uld  not, 
as  an  honor.iMr  man,  have  Uiken  the  responsibility  orally  of  th«  on  of  a 
medical  i  i«»n,  claimed  as  his  own,  and  exhibited  by  an  a- 
imdcr  \\  lotion;  and  forthwith,  thereafter,  have  refused  i  >  — in 
same  n-  ty  in  toriting.  And,  indeed,  it  is  usual  for  physicians  t 
their  pri.  *  ..j>i..>iis  in  writing,  not  orally.  Nor  do  your  committee  believe  Uml 
Dr.  Jackson  on  that  occasion  declared  that  the  inhalation  of  the  vapor  of 
sulphuric  ether,  within  safe  and  proper  limits,  would  render  the  operation  pain- 
less. If  he  had  advanced  such  an  opinion,  it  could  not  have  failed  to  be  noticed 
and  remembered  by  his  student,  Mr.  Mclntire,  for  it  would  ha\'  1  . .  m  h-  fir-t 
notice  to  him  of  a  miracle  in  surgery.  But  Dr.  Jackson's  ctn 
^Ir.  Caleb  Eddy,  on  the  2'3d  of  October,  1846,  and  with  the  Hon.  Edward 
Warren,  is,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  conclusive  upon  this  subject.  On 
the  evening  of  that  day  Dr.  Jackson  visited  Mr.  Eddy,  and  gave  an  account  of 
the  convcn^ation  between  him  and  Dr.  Morton,  of  September  30,  which  the  wit- 
ness having  detailed,  says:  "After  Dr.  Jackson  had  related  the  above,  I  said 
to  him,  '  Dr.  Jack^?on,  did  you  know  at  such  time,  that  after  a  pei-son  had  inhaled 
ether,  and  was  ai^leep,  his  flesh  could  be  cut  with  a  knife  without  experiencing 
any  pain?*  He  replied,  'No,  nor  Morton  either;  he  is  a  reckles.s  man  for  using 
it  as  he  has;  the  chance  is,  he  will  kill  somebody  yet.'"  And  the  Hon.  E- 
Warren,  in  his  letter,  says:  "Dr.  Jackson  told  me,  in  sub-^nnr  r .  that  the  so- 
called  discovery  was  not  his,  but  that  Dr.  Morton  was  n-  tor  it;  that 
the  new  u?e  of  ether  was  dangerous,  and  would,  he  i'  i!  1  •.  ith 
fatal  con^(  (juences;  that  he  (l)r.  Jackson)  was  not  .mi  It^, 
and  that,  therefore,  be  would  refer  me  to  Dr.  Morton  tor  turtlier  in                n." 

We  cannot  better  express  our  views  as  to  the  interview  of  oOtb  '^r, 

and  the  exact  value  of  the  evidence  which  relates  to  it,  than  by  'j 
the  report  of  the  former  committee  of  this  House,  to  which  we  have  .  ij   j 

ferred.     After  a  close  and  Ciin  '  li nation  of  the  statements,  and  evidence 

in  reference  to  this  interview,  th 

"The  evidence,  then,  amount  - :   Dr.  Morton  came  into  Dr.  .Jackson's 

3ffice,  having  in  his  hand  a  ga.^  ;  ._:.    .  ilh  wludi  ]).•  proposed  t'»  "mk  r.nc  ..n  t|i< 
imagination  of  a  refractory  patient  by  adm;  ji  to  her   ■'.' 

Dr.  Jackson  ridiculed  the  idea.     Nitrous  ox;*^ic  was  spokf^n  -i. 

)bj€cted  to  that,  saying  to  Dr.  Slorton  that  if  he  attempted  ild 


120  DE.   WM.  T.   G.   MORTON. 

become  nitric  oxide.  He  then  anggested  sulphuric  ether,  and  saiid  it  would 
make  the  patient  insensible,  and  Morton  could  do  what  he  pleased  with  her. 
This  conversation,  it  will  be  npted,  all  took  place  about  a  refractory  patient; 
the  object  considered  was  the  mode  of  bringihg  a  nervous  patient  to  a  conditio^, 
in  which  she  could  be  operated  upon,  not  m  which  she  would  feel  no  pain  from 
the  operation.  Mr.  Mclntire  says  not  one. word  about  pain  or  its  absence  in  the 
operation,  but  that  the  operator  could  do  what  he  pleased  with  the  patient  under 
the  influence  of  sulphuric  ether.  If  this  conclusion  be  correct,  the  information 
given  by  Dr.  Jackson  to.  Dr.  Morton  was  no^more  than  the  current  knowledge 
of  the  ^ge-^no  more  than  he  would  haTe  been  told  by  any  scientific  man,  or 
than  he  would  have  read' in  books  which  treat  of  chemistiy  and  medicine;  and 
if  it  differed  in  anything  from  the  general  opinion  of  scientific  men,  it  was  in 
a  stronger  than  ordinary  assurance  that  the  va,por  was  not  injurious  to  health." 
The  ^first  public  appearance  of  Dr.  Jackson  at  the  hospital  during  the  per- 
formance of  an  operation  under  the  influence  of  the  newly -discovered  anaesthetic 
agent  is  shown  in  the  following  extract  from  a  letter  of  Dr.  S.  D.  Townsend, 
one  of  the  surgeons  of  the  hospital,  dated  January  29,  1852 : 

"  Dr.  Jackson  presented  himself  for  the  first  time  on  the  2d  of  January,  1847, 
and  brought  with  him  a  bag  of  oxygen  gas  as  an  antidote  to  asphyxia.  I  hive 
had  this  date  always  fixed  in  my  mind  by  the.  fact  that  I  performed  an  amputa- 
tion on  that  day  under  the  influence  of  ether,  and  this  is  also  confiimed  by  the 
records  of  the  hospital  "  * 

Dr.  Jackson,  in  a  letter  addressed  by  him  to  Baron  Von  Humboldt,  dated 
November  22,  1851,  a  copy  of  which  he  filed  with  this  committee  (1852)  in 
support  of  his  claim  to  the  discovery,  after  giving  an  account  of  the  habitual  use 
of  the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether  for  the  purposes  and  in  the  manner  which  we    ^. 
have  shown  to  have  been  familiar  with  the  medical  faculty  since  about  the  year'    I ^ 
1795,  states  the  facts,  and  details  the  circumstances  which  he  alleges  to  have    ''f, 
attended  its  inhalation  by  himself  in  the  winter  of  lS41-'42,  and  gives  at  length    p 
what  he  says  were  his  deductions  from  the  phenomena  consequent  on  that  in-     ? 

halation.    He  says: 

...    ,....  ■     .      ,   -  :,.^^      .     <m 

"The  circumstances  were  as  follows  :  In  the  winter  of  1841-'42  I  wHiB  etir-  tre 
ployed  to  give  a  few  lectures  beifore  the  Mechanics'  Charitable  Association  in  , 
Boston,  and  in  my  last  lecture,  which  I  think  was  in  the  mouth  of  February,  I 
had  occasion  to  show  a  number  of  experiments  in  illustration  of  the  theory  of 
volcanic  eruptions,  and  for  my  experiments  I  prepared  a  large  quantity  of  chlorine 
gas,  collecting  it  in  gallon  glass  jars  over  boiling  water.  Just  as  one  of  thi^se 
large  jars  was  filled  with  pure  chlorine  it  overturned  and  broke,  and  in  my  eh' 


t  I 


<*  This  was  after  the  ether  was  shown  by  a  number  of  experiments  to  be  entirely  safe,  and 
that  no  antidote  other  than  atmoBpheric  air  was  necessary.  Dr.  Townsend,  testifying  in 
1853,  says : 

"ITie  first  time  I  ever  saw  Dr.  Jackson  at  the  hospital  at  an  operation,  after  the  intro- 
duction of  the  use  of  ether  there,  was  the  second  of  January,  1847 .  On  thai  day  I  am- 
putated the  leg  of  a  female.  Dr.  Jax^kson  then  appeared  in  the  opomtiog  room  with  a  ^g 
containing  o.xygen  gas  under  his  arm.  He  stated  to  me  there  that  we  should  always  have 
oxygen  gas  prepared  and  ready  in  case  of  accident  in  the  employment  of  ether,  and  he  feared 
that  some  accident  would  take  place  in  the  use  of  it;  I  am  positive  as  to  this  day  and  this 
occurrence  from  examining  the  records  of  the  hospital,  and  from  my  own  private  record  olf 
operations. 

"  17th.  Was  or  not  this  interview  of  January  2,  1847,  the  first  time  you  had  seen  him 
in  connexion  with  tht-  use  of  ether? 

"  Answer.  Yes,  it  was  ;  and  I  had  been  present  at  all  the  operations  from  the  commence- 
ment to  that  time'. 

"  18th.  What  was  done  with  the  oxygen?    Of  what  use  wtis  it? 

'♦  Answer.  No  use  was  made  of  it.  I  never  knew  it  to  be  used.  It  would  supply  that 
portioo  of  the  atmospheric  air  which  in  wanting  in  cases  of  asphyxia,  still  I  never  knew  it 
to  be  used." 


mi 
I  cm 
eni 
"II 
man 
the 
Dr, 
lak., 
leuf 

r.(; 

ml 


\ 


Dlt.T^.   T.    G.    MORTOX  121 

^     ~'l  I  uciuiriiiallv  k;«>i  itiv  lun^  full  of  chlorine  ^as,  which 

that  my  life  w.-w  in  imminent  danger.     I  immediately 

.  >n\ii  broui:!  :  *  ■  i;",  and  altt  r;i  v   !\   inhaled  th'  i     \-'.'h  /  •  at 

nominjr  111.  ■  was   pevt  i  imed   and  i. 

dl  :  ii^jlinct  flavor  of  cli'        •  i 

11  n:  i.     I  dt'termined,  il    .   ;  ..     ^     . 

•'  -rpo^e  went   into  my   lal)oriitory,  wlii(  I 

1  ,4  made  the  experiment  from  which  tli<  .-.     i 

induced.     I  had  a  larjre  supply  of  perfectly  pure  washetl  j^ul- 

iii.1i  was  prepared  in  the  lauoratory  of  my  friend  Mr.  John  If. 

I  took  a  bottle  of  that  ether  and  a  folded  towel,  and 

y.-cii  ...  ..  <  ^ivw.^  chair,  and  placing  my  feet  in  another  chair,  so  as  i 

fixed    potiiion,  I    reclined   backward   in   the   one   in  which  I  war 

»akin»  the  towel  iu  the  ether,  I  placed  it  over  my  nose  and  mouiii,  ?«!  ar 

I  inhale  the  eiher  mixed  with  the  air,  and  began  to  inhale  the  vapor  deeply" 

'   :i!\     '        -      At  first  the   ether   made   mc   cough,    but   soon    that  irrita- 

lud    I   noticed  a  sense  of  coolness,   followed  by  warmth,  full- 

1  chest,  with  giddiness  and  exhilaration ;  numbness  of  the 

wed,  a  swimming  or  floating  sensation',  as  if  afloat  in  the 

ucompanied  with  entire  loss  of  feeling,  even  of  contact  with  my 

1  I  '.VIS  seated.     I  noticed   that  all  pain  had  ceased  in  my  throat, 

(1  ti:  ^  liich  I  had  were  of  the  most  agreeable  kind.     Much  pleased 

•1  -  ^         .,  i   L.uued  the  inlialation  of  the  ether  vapor  and  soon  fell  into  a 

ite,  and  iheu  became  unconscious  of  all  surrounding  things.  I  know 
t  ii.  w  i  .ng  I  remained  in  that  state,  but  suppose  that  it  could  not  be  less  than 
quarter  of  an  hour,  judging  fi-om  the  degree  of  dryness  of  the  cloth  which,  dur- 
5  thr  ■'  •  '■  T-'-  n--'--  ':'::<  ^^.  h:\']  t^i"- !i  l-'^ni  my  mouth  ;Um]  iv-  -  niirl  ]n^' 
on  II  !        '  rved  still  then  t' 

in  ii!  iv  inatjs  were  still  tlecply  benumbed,  as  il  r" 

Qsat;  i.     A  strange  thrilling  now  began  to  be  t 

ine,  h\i:  it  \^.!-  ].  ■:  in  any  way  disagreeable.     Little  by  littl'  i 

manit«  ~t   itrlt,  lirst  in  the  throat  and  body,  and  gradually     - m  m  .,- 

tremitics.  but  it  w  time  before  full  sensation  returned,  and  my  throat 

camr  r»;i]ly  i).!iii}'i;' 

*'  K'  t'  phenomena,  the  idea  flashed  into  my  mind  that  I  had 

ide  th     .  .  -    I  :.m\  for  80  long  a  time  been  in  quest  of — a  m- •.?,>  ..f  ren- 

ring  thr  n<rv,  -    t'  s(  nsation  temporarily  insensible  to  pain,  so  a  :it  of 

e  perfornianoc  "i"  ;i  surgical  operation   or?    ?'i   individual  withon;  ring 

in  tluT.  iVv.Li.     That  I  did  draw  this  .-,  and* did  fully  dr  v  un-^ 

.il-ficd  belief  in  both  the  safety  and  ctiicMMicy  of  the  ui«  :',    '     *'  _-    ]\ 

'um  of  pain  in  the  human  body  during  the  most  sev 

'     '         vA  it  is  fully  proved  by  abundant  legal  evidence  which  tias  never 
'»r  doubted  in  anv  qnartf*r. 

-11  .,.,,,,  ^  ,:'    .       .'        ,  ,   ■  \  .   ,,..   ,  .•    I  1,.     \v-    •    ■     .       r     (  •'     ,,  .   :,,,,, 

man  '  i 

•'  I  _    '  ^ 

I  '        -  •    :.:    -    .      ,:■        .•  /.•:•■•,       :    ■•     ;■      '  . 

-t;  and  to  the  testimony  of  Mr.  lienry  1> 
.     :  I.  iliful  apothi'caries  of  Boston,  'nnd  t..  tin 
•  r,  of  New  York,  and  of  D. , Jay  Brow 
j..<i.er  was   written.)     Thoir  ■•■'•'''•-"'•'v  v 
r  pupil,  Mr.  Joseph  Peabod 
I       ..-,  |u./M-  ihat  I  had  '- vV  ♦'.'•  '^-^  -  -,•,  vy^  ;^^^^^  I.. 
veu  tried  a  single  i  kind. — (S 

I    ::  :         : !  nee  of  Dr.  Crcorge  T,  Ucxter,  of  New  iork,  and  tnat  oi  Mr.  i>. 
13i 


122  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

"In  the  rapid  inductions  of  the  mind  it  is  not  always  easy  to  trace  the  exai^^ 
method  of  thought  by  which  we  suddenly  arrive  at  great  truths.     But,  so  fr 
as  I  can  trace  the  reasoning  that  rapidily  flowed  through  my  mind,  it  was  base 
upon  principles  well  understood  by  all  educated  physicians  and  physiologist 
I  knew  that  the  nerves  of  sensation  were  distinct  from  that  of  motion  and  <|'ffi 
organic  life,  and  that  one  system  might  be  paralyzed  without  neccessarily  ( 
immediately  affecting  the  others.     I  had  seen  often  in  my  medical  practice  th 
nerves  of  sensation  paralyzed  without  those  of  motion  being  affected,  and  thos 
of  motion  paralyzed  without  those  of  sensation  being  influenced ;  and  both  tblve: 
nerves  of  motion  and  sensation  paralyzed  without  the  ganglionic  nerves  or  thoep 
of  organic  life  being  affected.     I  knew,  also,  that  the  nerves  of  sensation  arid; 
stationed   as    sentinels  near  the  exterior  of  our  bodies,  to  warn  us  of  dang«e>n 
from  external  causes  of  injury,  and  that  there  is  no  feeling  in  the  internal  portiorivict 
of  out  bodies.     I  knew,  also,  that  when  the  knife  is  applied  in  surgical  operatiort? 
that  there  is  little  sense  of  pain  in  any  parts  beneath   the  skin.     This  my  ow  : 
surgical  experience,  as  well  as  that  of  others,  had  long  ago  demonstrated,  anj  lu 
the  philosophy  of  these  physiological  facts  was  made  known  to  the  medicajey  ( 
world,  in  England  and  in  this  country,  by  the  researches  of  Sir  Charles  Bel  ik 
of  England  and  was  fully  proved  by  all  the  eminent  anatomists  and  physiologists  co 
of  Europe.     Now,  I  had  observed,  1st,  that  the  nerves  of  sensation  in  my  owicb 
body  were  rendered  insensible  to  pain  for  some  time  before  unconciousness  tooiicli 
place.  A: 

"  2d.  That  all  pain  had  ceased  in  a  suffering  part  of  my  body  during  th|rp" 
stages  of  etherization  precedingand  following  the  unconscious  state. 

"3d.  That  this  state  of  insensibility  of  the  nerves  of  sensation  continued  fc:^ 
a  sufficient  length  of  time  to  admit  of  most  surgical  operations,  and  I  had  reasok^ 
to  believe  that  during  the  unconscious  period  the  degree  of  insensibilty  was  stii^' 
greater,  so  that  it  would  be  impossible  that  any  pain  could  be  felt  in  a  surgic; 
operation. 

"4.  That  the  nerves  of  motion  and  of  the  involuntary  functions  of  respiratio 
and  circulation  were  in  nowise  affected,  the  functions  of  life  going  on  as   usua 
while  the  nerves  of  sensation  were  i-endered  devoid  of  feeling,  and  the  bocl 
could  suffer  no  pain.     By  long  experience  in  the  trial  of  ether  vapor  in  spa  . 
modic  asthma,  and  from  numerous  carefully-conducted  physiological  expci  . 
mente,  I  had  learned  that  the  vapor  of  ether  could  be  safely  inhaled  into  thiu 
lungs  to  an  extent  before  believed  to  be  highly  dangerous. — (Wood  audBache'i' 
Dispensatory ;  Beck's  Medical  Jurisprudence.)     That  I  did  first  discover  th.i 
the  nerves  of  sensation  could  be  and  were  paralyzed  to  all  sensation  temper; 
rily  and  safely  by  the  inhalation  of  ether  vapor  is  admitted  by  all  scientific  me 
who  have  examined  the  evidence.     That  I  did  first  prescribe  its  administratis  ■ 
for  the  purpose  of  preventing  all  sensation  of  pain  in  surgical  operations,  wit ' 
the  guarantee,  on  my  medical  and  scientific  responsibility,  of  its  entire  safety,  i 
my  directions  were  strictly  obeyed,  and  did  thus  introduce  the  use  of  pure  s\i 
phuric  ether,  mixed  with  air,  into  surgical  practice  is  fully  proved  by  abundaii 
testimony ;  and  this  is  admitted  by  all  persons  who  have  examined  the  evide 
that  I  have  caused  to  be  printed. 

"  The  only  point  contested  by  my  opponents  is  that,  in  their  opinion,  I  hn  j 
not  sufficient  reason  for  drawing  the  inference  that  I  did,  as  they  admit,  dr.W' 
from  my  data,  and  thjit  I  could  not  have  '  known*  the  full  extent  o^the  insens ! 
bility  to  pain  of  a  surgical  operation,  and  that  this  remained  to  bo  verified  \\ 
actual  trial.  Now.  it  appears  to  me  clear  enough  that  when  I  had  discovcrri 
that  the  nerves  of  sensation  were  paralyzed,  that  I  did  know  that  the  bodi 
could  feel  no  pain,  and  that  my  induction  was  the  most  natural  thing  in  thi 
process  of  reasoning  from  my  well  ascertained  data.  To  the  ignorant  it  is  ea?-  • 
to  appeal  my  allegations,  like  those  of  my  very  unscientific  opponents,  that  'D 
Jackson  could  not  have  known,'  anterior  to  the  verification  experiments  perfo 


laiii-ii 
inoi- 


t  'Uil 
)rroftL 


DR.   WH.   T.   O.   UOETON. 


1S8 


ethc  hi^''  '♦"'.  tliat  the  ps*'fT>*  w^j  wI'-^Hv  i^aof-?)*!*^  t*^'  l>«\''i  wl^^f^ 
alucii  ii(»r;    but 


1  no 

\ 

lucd 

-I,  a  a  111 

'■r.A 

.  nndfrnu 

n,  and,  in 

■.    ■         '    j^  .  •    .  :.i  .:i.'.  i  .■     .■...,:;',:'_:  \1  autlioriti'--  •■'   ;       •  '     :..■  r\  . 

the  most  eminent  men  of  science  of  iliirope,  who  have  considered  this 

ti      T  il.iJm   that   I  not  only  ditJco\ ered   the  principK^  hut  also  by  iny 

lion,  as  above  stated,  made  the  application  hi  the  higlieet 

. . li. 

'"C  will  attempt  to  determine  the  weipjht  which  ought  to  be  given 

*     *'  -*.  by  collating  it  wiiVi    iM,  r  tuV'  in  the  case,  of  which 

:  second,  by  c  i  ^  iher  written  t»Uitement« 

nde  by  Dr.  Jackson  himstlt,  of  an  earlier  datti;  third, 

rent  probability  when  viowed  in  connexion  with  Dr. 

hrd  act;3  <ind  •  r    -^     ^;  and  lastly,  the  extent  to 

tiled  by  extrins-  nee. 

I  of  Dr.  .J  truck  your 

!iich  he  say -:      i  ;,  it  I  didjir.'  ^  - 

'  of  preventing  nil  sensation  of  paiK  '  -it  opera- 

.,',  i,n   wv   yn.iltrnl  and  scientifr  res  tx.   of  its 

y  obeyed,  and  did  >•  the 

fHji ,  inix^ii  uHth  air ^  into  turgica  'V^'v 

V;   and  this  is  admitted  by  all 
1  hare  ca  .      ■   '     ^'    :.r/;/-.'.     'Y\  con- 

hat,  in  th<  w  for 


i 

Ujf 

Tl. 

iual  start-  (•! 

cuments,  pni: 

have  been  univ* 

>n  most  0'""«-^n»< 

rits  of 

h 


•'  jMiri  oi  me  ( 
])i;al  report  n^ 

to   S   •  ■.  •  .', 


ncd  to  be  \  \^y  actual  tiial." 

■f  your  c  <  ,  a  wide  departure  from  tho 

it  is  known  to  us  by  i  - 

::   IIS  which  Dr.  Jackson  tl         .   -  r^ 

a,  arc  the  very  have 

i  rfiiv'"  ]<•*  ^Ir-*  '  t"  flu"* 


l^iG,  Dr.  J.: 
print  \n   Lon 


bv   IIP' 

The  h. 
•♦l)o\vi 

nor   l.'-.'T 
It  . 
les  ' 

thr  -,:  •; 
t  yet  been  made 
ised  to  \io  tH.  .1. 
ckson   1 

?d  wirh  .-.u.  :y  .iw.4  .iit^L  tinriii;^'  im  -■, 
ich  a  hundred  other  persons  may  hav. 
1  incidentally  on  more  than  one  occ-^'- 
of  operations,  but  had  been  unah: 


tho  on  I 


:4,  isi'j. 


i,  or 
Dr. 


124  DRl   WM.   T    G.   MORTON. 

persons  of  science  and  intelligence,  who  were  most  familiar  with  all  that  Di*^ 
Jackson  knew  or  thought  upon  this  subject. 

"  Dr.  Morton  had  for  some  time  been  engaged  in  searching  for  a  safe  agen 
for  promoting  insensibility  during  dental  operations.  He  knew  of  and  had 
upon  one  occasion,  taken  part  in  the  nitrous  oxide  experiments  of  Dr.  Wells^ 

"As  early  as  July,  1846,  he  purchased  sulphuric  ether,  and  proceeded  t 
experiment  upon  it.  On  September  30,  1846,  he  has  an  interview  with  Di 
Jackson,  and  receives  his  decided  advice  to  use  pure,  rectified  sulphuric  ethe 
during  a  dental  operation,  accompanied  with  the  strongest  assurance  of  it 
safety,  and  with  the  information  where  it  could  be  obtained.  Dr.  Morton 
unlike  others  who  had  received  this  advice,  and  notwithstanding  he  knew  th 
prevailing  belief  of  the  dangei-ous  and  sometimes  fatal  character  of  this  agent 
ibrthwith  acted  upon  it.  That  he  proceeded  to  inhale  it  himself  rests,  indeed 
on  his  own  assertion.  The  committee  have  no  doubt  of  its  truth.  He  cer 
tainly  administered  it  to  a  patient.  By* so  doing  he  made  this  discovery.  O 
learning  this  result  Dr.  Jackson  very  naturally  suggested  to  Dr.  Morton  tha 
he  had  better  get  the  ether  tried  by  the  surgeons  of  the  hospital,  which  a  wit 
nees  of  Dr.  Morton's,  however,  alleges  that  he  had  previously  determined  to  dc 
But  all  the  subsequent  steps  were  taken  by  Dr.  Morton  himself,  without  thi 
slightest  sympathy  or  co-operation  on  the  part  of  Dr.  Jackson,  who,  froD 
alleged  fear  of  his  recklessness,  withheld  from  him  all  countenance  and  encouri 
agemfent.  In  view  of  these  facts  the  committee  are  of  opinion  that  the  exclusiv 
claims  advanced  by  Dr.  Jackson,  though  now  very  extensively  recognized  ii 
foreign  countries,  are  unfounded,  being  unwarranted  alike  by  his  acts  and  bj 
his  omisi^ions,  and  that  they  involve  great  injustice  towards  Dr.  Morton;  tha; 
their  names  will  be  forever  jointly,  though  not  equally,  associated  in  this  dis 
covery — Dr.  Jackson  being  entitled  to  the  credit  of  having  rendered  availabl* 
the  existing  knowledge  upon  the  subject  of  ether,  which  Dr.  Morton  was  really 
though  not  avowedly,  seeking  to  obtain,  and  Dr.  Morton  having  first  demon 
strated  its  safety  and  efficacy  in  the  prevention  of  pain  during  surgical  opera 
tions ;  and  that  Dr.  Morton,  by  consenting  to  permit  Dr.  Jackson's  name  to  b 
united  with  his  in  the  patent,  with  the  right  to  receive  ane-fenth <  ])a,rt  of  it 
profits,  has  f*hown  himself  disposed,  fairly  and  honorably,  to  recognize  tb 
arbount  of  his  indebtedness  to  Dr.  Jackson's  advice." 

In  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the  House,  in  February,  1S49,  where  thes* 
questions  are  carefully  examined,  the  conclusion  is  against  the  claim  of  Docto. 
Jackson  on  both  these  points  ;  they  say  : 

"  It  is,  however,  contc'nded  by  Doctor  Jackson,  that  in  the  administration  o 
ether  to  liis  patient  on  the  30th  September,  and  in  the  subsequent  exhibition  o 
it  in  the  hospital,  Doctor  Morton  acted  as  his  agent,  merely ;  that  he  was,  ii 
fact,  the  experimenter  as  well  as  the  discoverer,  and  tho'merit  of  success  or  th 
responsibility  of  failure  rested  on  him.  This  position  your  committee  will  nov 
proceed  to  cxaniinc. 

"  This  claim  is  not  supported  by  the  evidence  which  has  hvnn  thus  far  con 
sid^red ;  indeed,  it,  bears  strongly  against  it,  and  your  commitLv'c  canfind  m 
contemi)oraiy  matter  touching  this  [Joint,  except  a  statement  of  (J  eori^e  (.).  Barnes 
not  yet  commented  upon.  'Vho  witness,  after  stating  Doctor  Jackson's  eiforti 
to  overcome  the  scrujiK's  of  Morton,  says:  'Indeed,  Doctor  Jackson  urged  tlu 
matter  very  earnestly  mid  with  perfect  confidence,  taking  on  himself  the  wholJ 
responsibility.'  Now,  if  this  be  a  deduction,  an  inference  from  the  convijrsatioi 
stated,  it  is  of  no  value  whatever,  except  to  show  a  certain  earnestness  in  thi 
witness.  If  it  be  but  a  further  declaration,  it  is  unsupported  hy  the  testimonjj 
of  Mclntire;  and,  in  a  third  important  i)articular,  difi'ers  from  and  goes  beyond 
him.  But  the  well  attested  conduct  of  th«  parties  themselves,  at  the  time  of  tb| 
transaction  in  which  this  agency  is  claimed  to  have  been  confcrn d  and  acceptedl 
what  is  termed  by  lawyers  the  res  gcslte,  shows  more  clearly  than  every thiB| 


DR.   WM.   T     O.    MORTON.  itt^ 

•h  they  then  I)  .  ich  other,  and  each  of  them  to 

lit  ho  had  lonj^  harl  in  his  mind  a  conviction  that 

!;  1  I  1    I    1  .    .1   m  dant^rr  or  injury  to  tho 

1  :  inn.  MM.      11  ,;  ,ii     jm  i  i:     im  could  ho  port'ormed  with- 

II.     Ail  ndinit   him  to  be  a  man  of  Pcience,  fully  awan;  of  the  mighty 

f^'vh  a  di80ov<rv,  nnd  nnt  at  m11  indiiferent  to  hi.s  own  reputation  in  the 

rid.     In  t  '  we  cannot  conceive  it  possible  that  he 

li.l   lia>.    r  -T-;  1  !S  waitinj;  till  chance  should  send  him 

me  one  t'>  .  (tv,  instead  of  proceeding  himflelf  by 

*  .  x;  It  1.^  not  at  all  disputed  that  Doctor  Morton  went  to  Doctor 

.'  ,  liat  day  uninvited;  that  hii  mw  wants  and  not  Doctor  Jack- 

v  >  '    :  tM  f1  ,    r  M   ,  r^ation  ;  that  there  was  nothing  of  an 

1 ;  that  what  Doctor  Jack.">on  said  to 

1  ii.il  nuiuner  of  public  converwition,  and  not  like  a  man  who 

;  to  bring  out  a  most  important  discovery  to  the  world. 

Morton  t     '  t  what  Doctor  .J«ckson  and  his  two  wit- 

:ii  to  have  !<     i    j    he  time  of  that  conversation,  was  he  the 

r  .Jack.4on  would  have  trusted  to  represent  him  in  a  matter  so 

•i^  character  and  his   fame?     Say  it  is  Jackson's  discovery, 

*'  .  //f  is  responsible  for  the  consequences.     If  it  succeed,  he 

}l«a-  iiiuit:   iiM    ii.N.i<  rt  contribution  to  surgical   science  which  the  century  has 
witn»\vsed  ;  if  it  fail,  the  consequences  might  be  most  disastrous.     Whom  does 
4  Ih       '  i'   \]\\'.  till    ii!  -^t  important  conception  of  his  life  or  of  the 

,   '-'  '     ■   '■^; 

Acc  !   profoundly  ignorant  of   the  powei-ful  medicinal 

agent  "wi  .  employ — f^ne  who  did  not  know  what  kind  of 

•stn*'  Hid   who  AA     '     '  '  it  in  order  thus  to  test  ita 

3uai  t   the  first     '  i  .    i:    a  of  the  age  to  conduct  a 

eli'  H.nt  with  tlii.i  same  sulphuric  <'ther,  on  the  succc'*:' 

of  V  !  .  [  iMtion  depended.     If  Doctor  Jackson  had  dwelt 

upon  ill-  (I  the  discovery  in  his  own  mind,  considered  it  with  a 

view  ot  1  to  the  world  and  useful  to  mankind,  he  kfeew  that 

much  (It  -t  public  exhibition ;  and  he  also  knew  that  it  required 

6ci<  I  ''    r  >  render  the  experiment    --tm  <    -sful,  and  prevent 

its  I  ^     i.huric  ether  would  produ  usibility  to  pain; 

t/>oi)rrif>'  '  ■  ;h- mi;'-!!;  i:,-!!'  .•;;!  II.  M  '!,.    ■.,--, it  t  and 

his  no«tru!i.  ,        ,  .  'i?#- 

tcredy   would  pi-  hyxia,   pr  '  alh.      Under  tlie.-<i'  cirr  ■♦>s, 

how  can  your  c<>;  l»elieve  tli.i;    i  r  Jackso$  would  have  ti;         .    uch 

a  nii  '  represents  Doctor  ilorton  to  be  with  his  fii-st  exjKiriment 

upon  ,    -  try]     Would  it  not  have  been  inexcusable  in  him  to  havo 

!  no  so  ?  Would  it  not  hare  shown  a  reckles-sness  of  his  own  fame  and  the 
!     ''s  of  \i\^  fi'ljow-men  ? 

•  Such  a  conclusion,   your  committee  are  ^  imputed  to  him 

\v;Lh  jusiie»\  Had  Doctor  Jackson  made  the  a.,  t  a  i  .  .i:.'.i  iv  It  that  it  was  his, 
he  could  not  iiavi  tailed  to  be  at  once  aware  of  its  vast  importance,  and  the 
world-wi(l(  ri  *  "  ■••  n  it  would  :jv'''  'i'"^  vvI  b"  'vovVl  no*  ]>•'•.>  tni^ted  it  for  a 
moment  in  tl  -famanli  \\     Indeed, 

I  would  he  have   umusted  it  with  any  our  <    Imt  wnuici  iir  n'>i  -  If  ^een 

I  that  it  was  administered  in  a  proper  manner,  and  under  ]'     ,  to 

make  it  >  T  T.  ctual?     Would  he  not  have  stood   by  and  watclied  the 

sinking  y  rst  subject,  until  insensibility  waa  complete,  and  have  been 

careful  t<  v  it  when  he  saw  it  wa."  likely  to  endanger  life,  and  have  done 

all  that  aud  skill  could  do  to  avoid  a  failure  or  a  catastrophe?     But 

there  was  nothing  of  this.     Having  given  the  information  which  he  did  give  in 


126  DR.   Vm.   T.   G    MOKTON. 


!o«< 


11; 

k 

aidi 
in 


the  conversation  with  Doctor  Morton,  ha  turned  neither  to  the  right  nor  left,  no 
troubled  himself  further  on  the  subject,  until  he  was  advised  by  Doctor  Mortoiffi 
that  the  experiment  had  been  successful.  He  expresses  no  surprise,  no  emotion 
it  is  an  incident  of  the  day — an  occurrence.  According  to  the  testimony  o 
Barnes,  he  advises  Doctor  Morton  to  try  it  in  some  capital  operation  in  tte  hoa 
pital ;  does  not  say  he  will  try  it  himself,  which  he  might  or  ought  to  have  donef, 
if  Doctor  Morton  had  been  his  agent.  He  does  not  propose  to  get  permissioi 
for  Doctor  Morton  so  to  try  it,  though  he  well  knew  the  application  by  himself f 
or  in  his  name,  would  insure  the  permission.  He  advises  Doctor  Morton  to  ge^^^f 
permission  to  try  it  in  the  hospital,  and  does  not  propose  to  be  present,  and  ii 
fact  is  not  present  when  the  trial  is  made,  though  the  hospital  was  but  fiv< 
minutes'  walk  from  his  door.  That  operation  was  successfully  perfonned,  ancf  "Pj 
another  was  noticed  to  take  place  the  next  day,  about  which  Doctor  Jacksor  '  ^ 
gave  himself  no  concern,  and  at  which  he  was  not  present.  The  committee  fee]^^ 
that  his  conduct  during  this  time  was  wholly  inconsistent  with  the  fact  that  h(^'• 
recognized  the  discovery  as  his  own  and  that  these  were  his  experiments. 

"  It  is  urged  as  a-  reason  for  his  absence  at  the  first  operation  in  the  hos^"^'^ 
pital  that  Dr.  Morton  did  not  inform  him  at  what  time  it  was  to  take  place.     Ai^f^^' 
to  this,  there  is  no  proof  that  he  did  or  did  not  inform  him;  but  surely,  had  Dr'^ 
Jackson  felt  the  solicitude  which  the  discoverer  would  naturally  feel,  he  woul^"'^' 
have  informed  himself,  and  his  daily  associations  naturally  led  him  to  th^^"^^' 
knowledge.     On  the  other  hand,  after  the  successful  operation  of  the  30th  o^^^^*' 
September,  and  after  Dr.  Morton  had  seen  his  patient,  and  ascertained  that  h^^"^^ 
had  suffered  no  injury  from  the  ether,  elated  with  his  success,  he  consulted  Drj"^'' 
Hayden  as  to  the  mode  of  bringing  out  the  discovery,  and  suggested  at  onc^"]*^' 
that  he  would  introduce  it  into  the  hospital.     A  few  days  afterwards  he  told  Dr 
Hayden  that  Dr.  Jackson  would  not  countenance  the  discovery,  and  again  saidf^*: 
he  would  go  to  Dr.  Warren  and  endeavor  to  have  it  introduced  into  the  hos^i'^ 
pital.     The  fact  that  Dr.  Jackson  refused  to  give  Dr.  Morton  a  certificate  that  " 
ether  was  harmless  in  its  effects,  or  might  be  used  with  safety,  is  admitted  hy.k 
Dr.  Jackson  in  his  defence  by  the  Messrs*  Lord  ;  but  they  say  it  proves  nothing '^F 
but  Dr.  Jackson's  'unwillingness  to  figure  in  Dr.  Morton's  advertisements,  and"!^* 
his  primence  in  refusing  to  make  himself  responsible  for  anything  and  every- ^' 
thing  Morton,  in  his  ignorance,  might  do  with  an  agent  liable  to  the  most  dan 
gerous  abuse.'* 

**  This  witness,  Barnes,  says  that  on  the  30th  of  September,  Dr.  Jackson  em-lpoi* 


*  If  Dr.  Morton  was  all  this  time  proceeding  at  his  own  suggestion,  and  on  his  own  re-'r.Jj 
a|x>DfsibiIity  merely,  Dr.  Jackson  had  a  right  to  give  or  refuse  his  certificate  of  the  safety  is  ori 
of  the  ether,  according  to  ^^is  opinion  of  its  meritfl  ;  but  if  he  prescribed  it  tmd  employed  ojj^ 
Dr.  Morton  to  administer  his  prescription,  and  if  under  his  direction  Ur.  Morton  did  ad^.n, 
minister  it  in  a  case  of  dentistry  ;  if  on  this  being  reported  to  Dr.  Jackson,  he  directed  Dr.     ^ 
Morton  to  have  it  tested  in  a  case  in  the  medical  hospital,  and  when  asked  for  a  wrUten 
certificate  he  refused  it,  he  cannot  be  visited  with  too  harsh   a  censure      According  to  thiB||ta 
•jwunjption,  he  sent  an  ignorant  and  rash  operator  to  the  hospital  to  impose  upon  the  fac-i  b  e. 
ulty.     He  sent  him  armed  with  a  nostrum  which  he  would  not  Siiy  in  tenting  was  not  dan-j  if 
geroofi  to  life,  leaving  the  prqfetsUmal  re&ponsib'lity  of  the  event  to  rest  on  the  faculty.     He  jj, 
•eot  *'  his  nurse"  without  wnitew  authority  or  directions  to  .administer  what  the  medical  faculty 
of  the  age  pronounced  to  be  a  poison,  and  what  was  a  poison  in  miskilfui  hands,  thus 
leaving  him  subject  to  all  the  legal  liabilities  which  a  fatal  result  would  involve,  and  re 
maining  himself  free  from  liability  or  reproach.     His  conduct,  as  he  now  represents  it,  in 
voires — Ist.  Diahonorable  imposition  on  hla  brother  surgeons  of  the  hospitnl      2d.  Ex-i 
posing  to  unaccountable  jeopardy  human  life..    3d.  Falsehood  and  treachery  to  the  mnn,  tkl^  ^^ 
hood,  used  in  the  administration  of  his  prescription.     Such  is  tlie  judgment  whicLi  Dr.  t 
Jackson  would  bring  upon   himself  by  his  statement,  and  that  of  his  witness,  Bftrne*,  in   ' 
support  of  his,  if  it  be  believed      But  your  committee  do  not  believe  it.     Even  on  his  own  '^Q 


elttl 


mi 
)rj 


in,;; 


assertion  they  do  not  believe  Dr.  Jacksca  guilty  of  conduct  so  atrocious.     They,  therefore 
cannot,  and  do  not,  believe  that  branch  of  the  statement  in  the  letter  to  Baroo  Humboldt 
ttu*. 


Mt 


cor 


DR.  WM.  T.   0.   MORTON.  127 

jto\f(\  l>r.  Morton  to  use  this  new  ngcnt.     H«*  asFured  him  it  would  *  not  do  the 

ast  /;/y// /■;/.'  He  •  urged  the  matter  very  earnestly,  rxjyrtssly  taking  on  himself 

1  ill,  ■'  i' ry  ;*  and  it  wuh  on  the  first  of  October,  the  morning  after  the 

^icc<  lit,  that  Dr.  Jackson  refused  to  give  a  certifiaite  •  that  ether 

as  1  eflects,'  and  yet,  on  the  same  day,  the  witncrfs,  Bn:  -    ,  -  i\  ><, 

1  }),  i'V  Dr.  Morton  of  the  success  of  the  opemtion,  l)i               m 

ii,j  .  -.      .  to  Dr.  Warn^n  un<l       ^                —                           <r 

in  :  I  ral  hospital,  and.  i;                                                        [•- 

*l  ..;  And  li>                                •'    •      i                                                        -t 

O'UV^  ,M?|iit;il  ;    l!,  .•    ■    ,     '^        ^.     ■.',    ii;,>i    -:;  M:     ;::■      <'..■•  '•.     i.Miiot 

J  k  ,  *  that  alter  learning  something  to  disguiac  the  odor  ho  agret^d 

i.|;iv  pital. 

Wc  1  ady  adverted  to  the  fact  that  Dr.  Morton,  the  very  evening 

fU*r  tho  :t''-vri(»n,  suggested  to  Dr.  Hayden  that  he  would  go  to  the 

odpital   I  1  to  try  the  ether  there  ;  that  he  went  the  next  moni- 

g  to  Dr.  .).!(  1  retumrJ,  saying  Dr.  Jackson  would  not  give  hi.<*  coun- 

niance  to  tli»  y ;  and  it  ia  admitted  that  Dr.  Jackson  refused  him  the 

jrtitic^it*   lit    \.  r.  and  one  of  the  reasons  given  is  that  he  did  not  think 

im  tit  t"  ^•  Is  it,  then,  prohable  that  he  urged  hira  to  go  to  the  hos- 

ital  ail'!  '   his  (Dr.  Jackson's)  great  discovery?     But  James 

Iclutirt  n  the  l.st  of  October,  when  Dr.  Morton  returned  and 

4vis«'d  1  M.  .1  •   entire  sucas^.s  of  the  experiment,  and  he  says  not  a 

'ord  of  Ih-.  .1  ,      iM)-iing  to  Dr.  Morton  to  try  an  experiment  in  the  hos- 

ital.     ^  has  already  remarked  in  several  other  points  of  differ- 

nc(!  i"  '  f  these  two  witn«-sses,  and  in  eacli   c-isc.  as  in  this,  they 

dt  t:  jiied  by  the  te.^timony  of  other  ^\  -.  and  by  the  in- 

ext'iiL  cii.u.i^i'i  wi  liie  evidence,  to  rely  on  the  accunic)  oi  Mclutyre  rather 
iui  of  Mr.  Baiiit'S,  where  these  discrepancies  occui*. 

"  Anoili  '  '  iilty  in  sustaining  the  position  assumed  by  Dr.  Jackson  forci- 
ly  im]»r  ;i'  upon  your  committee.     According  to  this,  on  the   10th  of 

•ptri  i      ^  ii  trusted  Dr.  Morton  with  his  diseovery,  and  not  only 

affci'  .  V  urged'  him  to  use  it,  assuring  him  it  was  perfectly 

ife.  Dr.  M  i;  h  tii. d  it  on  the  same  evening;  his  success  was  comphTte;  he 
roufrlit  t  1>:.  .'  (kson  th«  next  morning  conclusive  evidence  of  all  this,  and 
>r.  .1  -lin  a  certificate  becauso  he  would  not  'make  himself  fv- 

5on-  ;ind  every  tiling  Morton  in  his   ignorance  might  do  with 

n  iiL  r.DSt  dangerous  abuse,*  while  nothing  i.s  .shown  to  shak*- 

)r.Jmi..  ,..  _...;:!,  ;ice  in  Dr.  Morton  since  the  previous  day,  or  at  all  to  change 
is  opinion  of  him,  except  tlie  triumphant  success  of  the  operation  which  he  re- 
orted  and  proved.  On  the  16th  of  October  the  first  operation  was  performed 
i  the  ho  |uial,  at  which,  as  wc  have  already  shown,  Dr.  Jackson  did  not  a*- 
^nd,  an«l  at  which  his  name  wa«  not  known.  The  second  operation  at  the  hoe- 
ital  took  jl  lit  Mil  the  17th,  Dr.  Jackson  taking  no  part  in  it  hy  his  presence  or 
is  counsel.  Both  operations  were  entirely  successful,  and  both  conducted  on 
le  part  of  Dr.  ^Morton  to  the  entire  .-satisfaction  of  the  surgeons  of  the  hospitil. 
Ut  at  til  1'-.  Jackson's*' '      V      .  iuDr.Morton,  if  ho  ev#r  did  c<mfidr.  in 

im,  is  w  Iledcnitn*,  iv.Ts.ition  with  his  noi^rhhorand  frieml, 

aleb  K«  '-r  thr  inMu.  ■      *      '  '         at 

"Hhout  ['    ■      .       .    •   '^I'lrton    'is  a  :■  -    -..    -  ~   a;  .-i  t  .;-  a  - ,  .__:  ;     ,1-   .-'•■  !.■■  -        ■'■•  '■■'  \at*^ 

that  he  will  kill  somebody  yet ;'  and  iu  the  interval  between  the  oO:h  of  Sep- 
anber  and  Mi.out  ihe  23d  of  October,  he  declared  that  he  did  not  care  what 
lorton  dil  v. ith  it,  or  how  much  Morton  adverti8cd»  if  his  own  name  was  v^ 
3Mvn  iu  v.iih  it.  * 

"  It  would  seem  that  as  Dr.  Morton  acquired  eclat  by  his  const.int  success,  as 
3  contiir-  '\v  and  rapidly  rose  in  th*^  o^r-mition  of  other  scirntit:  -  men,  he  hafi 
Jtrtinnali  -  rapidly  sunk  in  tl-  ;  )n  of  Dr.  JacV.  ii<'  ovide^Rx; 


128  DR.  ym.  x.  g.  mortpn. 

of  Francis  Whitman,  Mr.  Caleb  Eddy,  and  Hon.  Edward  Warren,  show.Aj 
prior  and  up  to  the  23d  of  October,  Dr.  Jackson  spoke  doubtingly  of  the  eM 
of  ether,  and  condemned  its  use;  and  there  is  no  proof  whatever  that,  witji 
that  time,  he  lent  the  slightest  countenance  to  Dr.  Morton  to  sustain  the  d 
covery,  and  all  his  remarks,  except  those  stated  by  Mr.  Hitchcock  to  have  be«  ?^ 
made  to  him  on  the  2d  and  3d  of  October,  tend  to  create  distrust  and  destp 
confidence  both  in  the  operator  and  the  agent  used.*     His  favorable  mention 


1\ 


*»  His  conversation  with  Dr.  Gould  abont  the  same  time  is  to  the  same  effect.    Dr,  Gou 
says : 

6th.  Please  to  state  your  first  conversation  with  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  respecting  the  ^    ' 
eovery  of  ether  as  an  anaesthetic  agent,  how  it  arose,  and  the  circurastoDce^  relating  theret"^ ' 

Answer.  I  have  no  recollection  of  what  led  to  the  convercatlon,  a^d  .^  .  iuriistinct  rec«'!iT 
lection  of  precisely  what  was  said.     I  alluded  to  the  dental  operations  performed  by  ijHv 
Morton  under  the  influence  of  ether.     It  was  probably  three  days  after  the  first  deniL- 
operation  he  said  "yes,  I  told  him.     It  is  sulphurine  ether."     I  can't  recollect  anythi[ 
definite.     I  recollect  various  things  which  were  said,  but  I  can't  say  whether  they  occurr 
at  that  interview  or  not.     In  substance  he  said,  "  WtU,  Ut  Mm  go  on  with  it;  I  don't  care  wt 
he  does  with  it,  if  he  don't  bring  my  name  in  with  it"     I  had  but  little  conv^ersation  with  him 
that  time,  as  J  thought  he  stemed  to  disclaim  having  anything  to  do  tvith  it,  further  than  having  nu 
Ucnfd  that  artidt  to  Dr.  Morton.  I 

7th.  At  the  time  he  said  this  had  there  been  any  surgical  operation  performed  under  %i 
eflFect  of  ether  at  the  hospital  ? 

Answer.  No,  sir.  ! 

The  conversation  of  Dr.  Jackson  with  Peleg  W.  Chandler,  esq.,  although  somewhat  lo<[' 
and  indefinite,  carries  with  it  conviction.  It  occurred  at  a  meeting  of  the  Warren  Club,  i  i 
the  house  of  the  late  Abbot  Lawrence.  We  give  here  a  part  of  his  examination,  applicali 
to  this  point : 

1st.  Are  you,  and  how  long  have  you  been,  of  the  Boston  bar?     What  public  ofl5c6 
you  hold  ?     What  have  you  held  within  the  last  ten  years  ?     At  what  college  did  y 
graduate  ? 

Answer.  I  am  a  member  of  the  Boston  bar,  and  have  been  since  1837.  I  am  cf^ — 
solicitor  of  the  city  of  Boston.  In  1844-'5-'6,  I  was  a  member  of  the  Massachus^ 
legislature  for  the  city  of  Boston  ;  in  1843,  for  three  years,  I  was  a  member  of  the  <i| that 
council,  and  president  of  it  for  two  years  ;  I  was  commissioner  in  bankruptcy  under  |  d  oi 
late  bankrupt  law  of  the  United  States,  while  that  was  in  force.  I  graduated  at  Bq.^h^  ered 
College,  in  Maine 

2d.  When  did  you  first  hear  of  the  ether  discovery?    Please  state  the  circumstancesi'jdeti! 

Answer.  The  first  time  I  ever  heard  of  the  application  of  ether  to  surgical  operations  i 
from  the  lips  of  Dr   Charles  T.  Jackson.     It  was  at  the  Warren  Club,  I  think— an     ""^ 


ded 


ation  of  gentlemen  where  scientific  matters  were  frequently  discussed.  I  bad  heard  nll|e( 
tlon  made  of  some  new  discovery  around  the  room,  which  seemed  to  make  consideoj « 
impression,  and  I,  or  some  one  near  me,  asked  Dr.  Jackson,  who  was  present,  what  it 
He  then  stated  to  me,  and,  I  think,  one  other  gentleman — we  were  stiiading  by  ourselv 
that  some  time  previously  Dr.  Morton,  a  dentist  of  this  city,  came  to  b.im  to  borrow  a 
bag,  and  stated  that  he  had  an  idea  of  filling  it  with  atmospheric  air,  in  order  to  work 
the  imaginations  of  nervous  patients,  and  induce  them  to  submit  to  dental  operations 
readily  ;  that  Morton  mentioned  some  experiment  in  France  upon  a  soldier  who  had 
condemned  to  death,  who  had  been  induced  to*believe  that  his  blood  was  running,  i 
had  such  an  effect  upon  his  imagination  as  to  have  killed  bim  actually  ;  that  he  (J 
told  him  that  that  was  a  very  pretty  story,  but  there  was  no  truth  in  it — and  then 
Morton  why  he  did  not  try  ether  ;  that  some  time  after  this  Morton  came  to  him  (Jackst 
a  state  of  great  excitement,  half  crazy,  I  think,  ^nias  his  expression,  and  stud  tliat  he 
found  it,  or  had  hit  upon  it,  or  words  of  that  import — I  am  not  pf)<;itive  a«  to  ihe 
expression.  Dr.  Jackson  then  said  that  it  appeared,  from  Morton's  stutement,  (hat  h 
shut  himself  into  a  room  and  inhaled  ether  from  a  handkerchief,  and  toiand,  by  exam 
his  watch  before  and  after,  that  he  ha<l  been  insonsibic  for  some  raimitcs,  or  bad  lost 
minutes.  Dr.  Jackson  said  that  he  sul^soquently  told  Dr.  Morton  that  he  should 
him  five  hundred  dollars  ;  that  he  finally  compromised  it  with  Morton,  by  agreeing 
ten  per  cent.,  or  something,  I  think,  on  patent  rights  for  this  matter:  and  I  thin! 
Doctor  addid,  with  a  smile,  that  he  thought  he  shonld  do  better,  or  make  more  ont 
than  if  he  had  taken  the  five  hundred.  There  was  more  conversation,  bat  J  do  not  rei 
ber  the  exact  language  ;  but  I  can  state  very  decidedly  what  the  impression  was  whi 
made  on  my  own  mind  at  th«  time,  and  that,  was,,  th»t  Dr^  Jackson  regarded  thU^ 


DR    W5I.   T.    O.   MORTON.  ♦  129 

^tn  T)r.  Koop  occurrccl  after  the  26tli  of  October,  the  actual  date  not  ^rA.  in^i 

•fompaniod  with  a  strong  genoml  charge  of  ignorance  and  reel.  \ 

'^^  .  who  was  then  in  the  full  tide  of  succe?sful  experiment,      i  ins 

.  in  tlie  opinion  of  your  eommittee,  wliolly  incon.sif^tent  with  tho 

f       that  Dr.  Jackson  was  the  di.--coverer ;  that  he  craph)yed  Dr.  MortOQ 

•  the  discovery;  and  that  the  experiment^  of  Morton  were  tried  on 

•y  of  Dr.  Jacki^on." 

•  which  Dr.  Jackfon  ha?  fallen,  as  to  the  extent  of  the  conccs- 

vhich   liHve  hcen  made  him  hy  all  who  have  examined  the  evidence,  ia 

•  hat  remarkable,  in  view  of  the  rea.>»oning!<  and  conclusions  of  these  two 

il)lc  report.**  upon  the  distinct  point^^i  which  he  claims  to  have  been  univcr- 

1\  conceded — while  neither  of  them  finds  it  necessary  to  approach  or  touch 

lat  he  avtTS  to  be  "the  only  j)ointf*  contested  by"  his  "opponents,"  namely, 

use  his  own  word?,)  "that  I  had  not  a  f^uflficient  reason  for  drawing  the  infcr- 

V  fhat  I  did — as  thnj  admit,  draicv  from  my  data.*'     ".And  again,  that  by 

lueinjr  Mu  ignorant  dentist — a  man  of  no  medical  knowledge — to  perform  the 

re  mrcli.inical  operations  made  by  ray  advice,  and  upon  my  medical  respon- 

ilify,  expressly  assumed  before  witnesses,  that  I  made  him  a  copartner  or  joint 

covrrcr,  and  that  he  made  the  first  application  of  my  discovery." 

Vonr  committee  have  looked  in  vain  through  all  the  papers  before  Jhem,  and 

I  no  such  adminftioji;  nor  do  they  find  the  controversy  anywhere  to  turn  upon 

at  Dr.  Jackson,  in  this  paper,  avers  to  be  the  ''only  points  contested^     On 

contrary,  they  find  it  denied,  and  to  have  been  all  along  denied,  that  Dr. 

'kson  drew  the  alleged  inference,  or  in  any  other  manner  itmde  the  discovery; 

that  he  employed  or  engaged  Dr.  ]\Iorton  to  administer  the  ether  vapor  on  hia 

.  Jackson's)  responsibility.'*'    These  are  questions  which  your  committee 

;w  a  Bcttlwl  thin;?,  or  not  us  a  discovery  timt  was  to  be  anytbini;  remarkable  in  itwlf,  or 
that  w;is  likely  to  be  applied  beneficially,  in  itself  considered,  but  as  nither  opening 
d')or  Ui  future  inv('t:ti.i:;iii«.n  in  that  direction,  that  something  mi^^'ht  hereafter  bo  dia- 
;red  that  wouLl  .-♦  «.  ,i  tin-  test  of  science  and  practical  experience.  There  was  ^a  obvi- 
desire  net  to  -  n.-elf,  as  a  man  of  science,  with  it  to  any  preat  extent ;  and  ho 

.e  use  of  eonu       _  .of  this  eort  with  repard  to  Dr.  Morton,   that  he  waa  a  reek- 

dare-devil  fellow,  and  th.it  he  would  kill  somebody  yet.  I  think  that  was  his  very 
rcssion.  This  wax  the  substance  of  the  conversation.  I  merely  asked  to  see  what  the 
ect  was,  OS  there  was  a  sort  of  buzz  about  the  room  in  reference  to  something  that  had 
e  up.  .        • 

I.  Did  Dr.  Jackson  say  that  he  had  told  Dr.  Morton,  or  predicted  to  him,  what  the 
t  of  the  ether  would  be  ? 

Lswcr.   No  ;  L  think  all  that  waa  said  about  ether  by  Dr.  Jackson  wa.s,  •'  Why  don't  yvm 
her  f"     I  am  very  confident.     I  don't  mean  to  say  that  I  understood  Dr.  Jackson  ae 
line  nil  b'^  i>  >d  '^•'id  to  Dr.  Morton. 
h.   1  which  Dr.  Jackson  said,  did  yon  get  the  impref»ion  that  he  had  dis- 

ci, :  '  rviow  with  Morton,  or  believed  at  the  time  of  his  stiitoment  to  yoa, 

total  insensibility  could  Iv  profluced  ? 
ijected  to,  as  the  impressions  of  witness.     T.  P    P.) 

wer    No;  I  did  not  so  understand  it.      I  *  t    t  .      '       .on  meant  to  tell  Dr.  Mor- 

vhat  every  man  of  science  or  liberal  ei  .:  tther  had  some  effect.     I 

rstood  him  as  merely  intending  to  ask  l>r.  Morton  why  he  did  not  try  ether,  as  the 
hing  for  the  purpose  which  he  knew  of,  and  likely  to  have  more  effect  than  air. 
»n  the  contrary,  he  carefully  and  absolutely  avoided  all  connexion  with,  and  denied 
sponsibility  for,  the  issue  of  the  cxptriinent  until  repeated  public  trials  had  proviwl 
cessful.  The  following  extract,  from  the  te>timony  of  Dr.  Warren,  is  conclusive  of 
'act.  Dr.  Jackson's  claim,  as  he  is  proved  to  have  made  it  after  its  first  saoceos,  WM 
ly  that  he  "  suggested"  it,  leaving  the  "  vcKole  retponnbdUy"  on  Dr.  Morton: 
ti§t2d.  Do  you  recollect  a  conversation  between  yourself.  Dr.  Gould,  and  Dr.  C.  T.  Jack- 
respecting  thid  discovery,  about  the  time  of  the  operations  of  November  7  f  Whea 
his! 
jjjinswer.  I  recollect  it  perfectly  well ;  it  took  place  at  a  meeting  of  the  Tharadof 
ing  Club,  at  my  house,  about  the  time  of  the  introduction  of  ether  aa  an  anaesthetic, 
rould  and  myself  were  engaged  in  oonvereation  on  the  subject  of  the  recent  snrgioal 


130  #  DR.   WM.   T.  G.   MORTON. 

find  to  be  ike  questions  in  issue,  and  wliicli  have  been,  from  the  first  (ilaim  mad 
by  Dr.  Jackson,  in  issue.  This  erroneous  statement  somewhat  weakens  th 
credit  of  the  paper  for  accuracy,  but  it  is  to  be  regretted  only  in  so  far  as  it  mia 
led  the  distinguished  apostle  of  science  in  a  foreign  land  to  whom  it  was  directed 

Dr.  Jackson's  first  claim  to  the  discovery,  which  appears  on  paper^  is  in 
letter  addressed  to  M.  Elie  do  Beaumont,  dated  Boston,  November  13,  1846i 
AVhich  was  opened  and  read  to  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  at  Paris,  a  ^^ 
their  meeting,  January  18,  1847.     It  is  thus  introduced : 

"  M.  Elie  de  Beaumont  requested  the  opening  of  a  sealed  packet  which  had  beei 
deposited  at  the  meeting  of  the  28th  of  December,  1846,  and  which  containei 
two  letters  from  Mr.  Jackson,  of  which  the  following  are  extracts.    First  letter 

"  •  Boston,  Navember  13,  1846. 
"  *I  request  permission  to  communicate  through  your  medium  to  the  Academidi 
of  Sciences  a  discovery  which  I  have  made,  and  which  I  believe  important  fo 
the  relief  of  suffering  humanity,  as  well  as  of  great  value  to  the  surgical  profes 
sion.     Five  or  six  years  ago  I  noticed  the  peculiar  state  of  insensibility  int.ibl 
which  the  nervous  system  is  thrown  by  the  inhalation  of  the  vapor  of  pure  suks  i 
phuric  ether,  which  I  respired  abundantly ;  first,  by  way  of  experiment,  anljef 
afterwards  when  I  had  a  severe  catarrh,  caused  by  the  irjialation  of  chlorii^jjBlr 
gas.  '  I  have  latterly  made  a  useful  application  of  thiy  fact,  by  persuading  a  dei; Lgv 
tist  of  this  city  to  administer  the  vapor  of  ether  to  his  patients,  when  about  ^ 
undergo  the  operation  of  extraction  of  teeth.     It  was  observed  that  persons  su3  pj^ 
fered  no  pain  in  the  operation,  and  that  no  inconvenience  resulted  from  the  acjalv 
ministration  of  the  vapor.'  "  l,j^j 

In  a  second  letter,  of  December  1,  1846,  Dr.  Jackson  authorizes  the  openin 
of  the  above  letter.     The  following  is  an  extract  from  it,  and  the  explanator||ct[  ii 
remarks  of  M.  Velpeau: 

"December  1,  1846 
"  The  advantage  of  the  appreciation  of  the  vapor  of  ether  has  been  complete!' 
established  in  this  country,  an(J  the  agent  has  been  used  with  great  success  i 
the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital." 

On  this  point  M.  Velpoau  made  the  following  remarks  : 

•'  The  secret  contained  in  the  note  which  has  been  read  is  no  longer  a  secr^i 
The  medical  journals  published  in  America  and  England  have  divulged  it  in  tl 
months  of  November  and  December.     A  letter  from  Dr.  Warren,  of  Boston  f 


In; 

)' 
( 

U 

ir 
n.  ' 
dcxl 
loive,! 
mi 

% 

Aft 
(lie 

ertiT 


conti 


operations  for  anaesthesia.     While  we  were  conversing  Dr.  Jackson  approached,  on  whi^ndj 
i)r.  Gould  said,  'There  is  Dr,  Jackson;  he  knows  more  about  it  than  I  do.'     Whereon- j 
turned  to  Dr.  Jackson,  and  asked  hiui  what  he  knew  about  the  use  of  ether  as  an  an^ 
thetic.     •Oh,'  said  he,  ' I  was  the  person  who  suggested  the  use  of  it  to  xVIorton ;'  and 
added,  either  then  or  afterwards,   'I  advised  him  to  go  to  you  and  get  you  to  do  son '^^'C 
surgical  operations  with  it,  otherwise  he  might  kill  somebody,  and  then  he  would  have  t) 
whole  responsibility,'  or  words  to  that  effect.     This  is-all  I  recollect  of  that  conversation. iu  ^  ^ 

*'  43d.  By  '  afterwards,'  <lo  you  mean  the  same  evening  or  a  future  time  ? 

"Answer.  A  future  time.     I  could  not  say  whether  it  was  that  evening  or  subsequentL   , 

•'  44:th.  Was  this  or  not  the  first  communication  you  had  had  with  Dr.  C,  T-  Jackson  jr''"' 
tb©  subject  of  ether  or  any  anaesthetic  agent  ?  -  vD  tlie 

"Answer.  It  was  the  first.  f  ' 

"51st.  Before  this  conversation  with  Dr.  Gould  and  Dr.  Jackson  to  which  you  haf 
referred,  bad  you  any  suspicion  that  Dr.' Jackson  had  any  part  in  this  discovery,  or  ai| 
particular  interest  in  it  ?     (Objected  to,  as  inquiring  of  the  suspicion  of  witness  ) 

"  Answer.  I  had  not. 

"  62d.  Before  this  conversation  with  Dr.  Gonld,  at  your  house,  to  which  you  have  reft 
red,  had  you  or  not,  in  any  way,  associated  Dr.  Jackson's  name  with  thia  discovery  'win! 
these  experiments  t 

"  Answer.  Not  that  I  recollect." 


Ws, 


DR.    W>I.   T.    G.    MORTON.  181 

.uiiicnk'd  the  information  to  me  more  thrtn  onn^month  np^o  ;  nnd  Dr.  W  i'- 
r.  of  tin'  same   city,  proposed  that  I  Bhould  try  its  effects  at  I^  Chii. 
•v.  .irdj?  the  middle  of  la«t  December." 

Tlic  pn'seut  object  of  quoting  these  letters  is  to  show  tlie  account  which  Dr. 
ackson  then  gave  of  his  experiment  in  1841-'42.  It,  in  truth,  goes  no  further 
lan  prior  expt;riments  had  made  Tauiiliar  to  the  mcdiail  faculty.  The  Ediu- 
ir^h  Medical  Jounial  of  April  1,  1847,  speaking  of  it,  says: 

'•  In  the  administration  «>f  ether  vapor  there  is  therefon!  nothing  new.  Ite 
ircotic  and  anodyne  effects  have  l)een  long  well  known  to  experienced  and 
ell-inforuied  observers.  The  application  of  ether  vapor,  nevertheless,  afl  an 
lodyne,  previous  to  surgical  operations,  suggested  a  mode  of  exhibition  which, 
•sides  being  new,  has  the  merit  of  being  more  efficient  than  the  methods  ip 
idinary  cai*es." 

Dr.  Jackson's  trial,  in  1841-'42,  as  stated  by  him  in  the  above  letter,  waa  a 
ere  application  of  it.«  well-known  narcotic  and  anodyne  properties.  In  a  paper 
[blislud  by  Dr.  Jackson  in  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser  of  March  1,  1847,  he 
ds  to  the  statement  in  his  letter  to  M.  FAiq  de  Beaumont  but  one  distinct  fact — 
lief  fn)m  the  pain  of  his  catanh  during  the  efiect  of  the  inhalation  of  tl»e  vapor 
sulphuric  ether,  and  its  return  presently  afterwards.  The  same  fact  is  stated 
I  having  occurred  in  Dr.  Thornton's  practice,  first  published  in  1795-'96. 
In  a  letter  written  by  Dr.  Jackson  to  Dr.  Martin  Gay,  dated  May  1,  1847, 

rrofesses  to  give  an  account  of  his  "experiments  and  observations  made  sev- 
years  ago  on  the  inhalation  of  the  vapor  of  pure  sulphuric  ether."     He 
tes  hif»  experiments  as  follows  :    The  first  ; 

♦  I  moistened  a  cloth  and  laid  it  over  my  mouth  and  nostrils,  and  laid  myself 
?k  in  a  rocking-chair,  and  inhaled  the  vapor,  noticing  its  effects  upon  the  sys- 
1.  The  first  impression  was  that  of  coolness,  then  a  sensation  of  warmth 
1  exhilavati(m,  with  a  singular  feeling  of  excitement  in  the  chest.  This  was 
wed  by  a  loss  of  consciousness,  from  which  I  in  a  short  time  awoke.  Soon 
wards  I  entirely  recovered  from  the  effects  of  the  ether." 

The  second : 

Afterwards,  still  suffering  from  the  effects  of  the  chlorine,  I  thought  I  would 
the  ether  vapor  again,  and  for  a  longer  time.     I  went,  therefore,  into  my 
^*  ce,  which  is  connected  with  my  house,  and  taking  the  botttft  of  pure  sulphuric 
er  from  the  laboratory,  I  soaked  a  folded  cloth  in  it,  squeezed  it  out  slightly, 
seating  myself  in  a  rocking-chair,  with  my  feet  resting  upon  another  chair, 
-  ommenced  inhaling  the  ether  from  the  cloth,  which  was  placed  over  my 
«!ii  ith  and  nostrils,  while  my  head  was  laid  back  against  my  chair,  so  that  I 
I  quite  at  ease  in  a  fixed  position.     The  effects  of  the  inhalation  were  as  be- 
;  described. «    >    ttii  ;_'  that  it  made  me  e*      1i    if  first.     1  was  therefore  hd    n 
eve  that  tin    ,        ,     is  of  the  nerves  ot  n  would  be  so  great  dti-     _ 

continrwnce  of  the  in  •      ^    '  ry  that  a  surgic^d -operation  might  be  ]»•  '^  I 

tij  n  a  patient  imder  its  in     .    ,  <•  without  giving  him  any  pain,  for  th<    .  -       i 
iciousness  was  remarkable,  perhaps  re»embliug  that  of  epilepsy  more  than 
other  kind  of  insensibility." 

»n  the  18th  of  Alay,  1848,  something  more  than  a  year  afterwards,  the  con- 
about  the  discovery  all  the  time  going  sharply  on,  and  new  facts  daily 
sloping  themselves  in  the  use  and  effects  of  sulphuric  ether.  Dr.  Jackson 
-esaed  a  letter  to  Joseph  Hale  Abbott.  f^<\..  jiriving,  as  he  says,  **  a  more 
ate  statement  than  I  have  heret>ofore  pn  ..f  the  effects  produced  upon 

by  sulphuric  ether  when  I  inhaled  it  for  reiiei  irom  the  distress  occasioned 
^^ .  ihe  inhalation  of  chlorine  in  the  winter  of  lS41-'42,  and  also  a  statement  of 
^     precise  ground,  which  I  have  never  published,  of  the  idea  then  conceived 


irj 


132  DK.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

\h 
])y  me  that  pure  sulpliuric  ^her  could  be  used  with  safety  and  success  to  ^r&K 
vent  pain  in  surgical  operations.  isfi 

•'I  Avill  add  that  in  my  published  letter  to  Dr.  Gay  I  neglected,  througlil^ 
inadvertence,  to  state  one  of  my  principal  reasons,  which,  as  will  be  seen  b-tii^ 
this  pamphlet,  thad  mentioned  to  him  in  conversation,  for  the  inference  I  dreilg^' 
from  my  observations.  The  experiment  refeiTcd  to  above,  in  the  course  oi^' 
which  I  observed  that  sulphuric  ether  produced  insensibility  to  pain,  was  a  '^'' 
follows  :  Having  taken  a  bottle  of  pure  sulphuric  ether  from  my  laboratory 
I  went  into  my  office,  soaked  a  folded  cloth  with  it,  squeezed  it  out  slightly '^i^ 
Mid  seated  myself  in  a  rocking-chair.  Having  laid  my  head  back  against  tU^ 
rocking-chair,  with  my  feet  supported  by  another,  so  as  to  give  me  a  fixed  pck 
sition,  I  placed  the  cloth  over  my  mouth  and  nostrils,  and  commenced  inhalinfc 
the  ether.  The  effects  perceived  by  me  were  at  first  a  little  coughing,  a  sens?  ^ 
tian  of  coldness,  then  warmth  and  fullness  of  the  head  and  chest,  exhilaration' 
and  giddiness,  numbness  and  want  of  feeling  in  the  feet  and  legs,  a  swimmin^i 
sensation,  as  if  I  had  been  afloat  in  the  air,  together  with  a  loss  of  all  feeling  (liH 
the  rocking-chair  in  which  I  was  seated,  loss  of  all  sensation  of  pain  in  tb^fn 
tliroat  and  chest,  a  state  of  reverie,  and  soon  entire  unconsciousness,  for  a  spacnoi 
of  time  unknown  to  me.  Recovering,  I  felt  a  sense  of  giddiness,  but  with  njlie 
desu'C  4o  move;  found  the  cloth  I  had  moistened  with  ether  had  dropped  fro^rliic 
my  mouth ;  had  no  feeling  of  pain  in  the  throat  and  chest,  but  began  to  feel'  Ic 
strange  thrilling  in  the  body.  In  a  short  time  I  felt  the  soreness  in  the  throi»n 
gradually  returning,  and  the  distress  in  the  chest  also,  though  much  less  thanletf( 
had  been  before.  From  the  cessation  of  all  pain,  and  the  loss  of  all  feeling  ^to 
external  objects,  a  little  while  before  and  offer  the  loss  of  entire  consciousne? 
I  was  led.  to  infer  that  the  paralysis  of  the  nerves  of  sensation  would  be 
great  during  the  continuance  of  the  unconsciousness  and  the  total  loss  of  feeliiiiui ; 
that  a  surgical  operation  could  be  performed  upon  a  patient  under  the  influeu'ri:  r.^ 
of  ether  without  giving  him  any  pain,  and  therefore  I  prescribed  it  with  enti 
confidence  in  the  result." 

Next  follows,  on  the.  ISth  of  December,  1851,  the  narrative  to  Baron  V<  .\o 
Humboldt,  above  set  forth,  but  to  which  your  committee  think  proper  to  ref  over 
again   specially  in  this  connexion.     After  stating  the  accidental  inhalation   nd? 
chlorine  gas,  and  the  means  used  to  destroy  its  effects,  he  says:   "The  ne:~' 
morning  my  throat  was  severely  inflamed,  and  very  painful,  and  I  perceived 
distinct  flavor  of  chlorine  in  my  breath,  and  my  lungs  were  still  much  oppressGf . 
I  determined,  theix?fore,  to  make  a  thorough  trial  of  the  ether  vapor,  and  for  tbi^ 
purpose  went  into  my  laboratory,  which  adjoins  my  house  in  Somerset  stre 
and  ma^le  the  experiment  from  which  the  discovery  of  anaesthesia  was  induct 
I  bad  a  large  supply  of  perfectly  pure  washed  sulphuric  ether,  which  was  pi^ 
pared- in  the  laboratory  of  my  friend,  Mr.  John  H.  Blake,  of  Boston.     I  to 
a  bottle  .of  that  ether  and  a  folded  towel,  and  seating  myself  in  a  rocking-cha. 
and  placing  my  feet  in  another  chair,  so  as  to  secure  a  fixed  position  as  I 
clined  backward  in  the  one  in  which  I  was  seated.     Soaking  tbe  towel  in  t 
ether,  I  placed  it  over  my  nose  and  mouth,  so  as  to  inhale  the  ether  mixed  wi 
the  air,  and  began  to  inhale  the  vapor  deeply  into  my  lungs.     At  first  the  eth 
made  me  cough,  but  soon  that  irritability  ceased,  and  I  noticed  a  sense  of  co< 
ness,  followed  by  warmth ;   fullness  of  tbe  head  and  chest,  with  giddiness  a 
exhilaration ;  numbness  of  the  feet  and  legs  followed ;  a  swimming  or  floati 
sensation,  as  if  afloat   in  the  air.     This  was  accompanied  with  entire  loss 
feeling,  even  of  contact  with  the  chair  in  which  1  was  seated.     I  noticed  that 
pain  had  ceased  in  my  throat,  and  the  sensations  which  I  had  were  of  the  ra<a 
agreeable  kind.     Much  pleased  and  excited,  I  continued  the  inhalation  of  1» 
ether  vapor,  and  soon  fell  into  a  dreamy  state,  and  then  became  unconscious'* 
all  surrounding  things.    I  know  not  how  long  I  remained  in  that  state,  but  8l| 
pose  that  it  could  not  be  less  than  a  quarter  of  an  hour,  judging  from  the  degBecl 


DR.   Wlkf.   T.    G.    MORTON  133 

Iryncss  of  the  cloth,  which  during  this  ptate  of  unconHciouflnoPf^  had  faHcn  from 
jiy  m«nith  and  nose,  and  lay  upon  my  breast.  As  I  becam<'  r  -•,•'•".  I  ob- 
icrvtd  ^till  tht-re  wn-*  no  feelinp  of  jiain  in  my  throat,  and  my  I  i »•  still 

kMj)ly  bcnunil     '  '   '  '  were  full  h  '   -ci.    A  ^rl 

hrillinjr  no%v  .  but  it  w  i  any  wny 

rrociibU-.     Link'  '  M  '    itsdf,  lii>t  in    '  ,ii 

jid  bodv.  nnd   prv  :  but  it   was  mp 

>efoi  11  iviuiufd,  and  my  till  illy  painful, 

"l:  11  tbf'se  phenomena,  the  ;         :      :        into  my  mind  that  I  Jiad 

"t'cry  I  had  so  long  a  time  been  in  qvcst  of- — a  means  of  render- 

^  of  pcnsation  temporarily  insensible  to  pain,  so  as  to  admit  of  the 

rmancc  of  a  surgical  operation  on  an  individual  without  his  suffering  pain 
ii.  ii  from." 

Tbc^i  st.it.ments  would  have  been  entitled  to  much  more  weight,  in  the  eeti- 

natii^D  of  your  committee,  if  all  the  facts  alleged  to  have  been  obser\'ed,  and 

onclusions  drawn,  in  lS41-'42,  as  stated  in  the  letter  to  Baron  Von  Humboldt, 

f  Di cinln  r  IS,  1^31,  had  appean  d  in  the  letter  to  Elie  do  Bcaunxmt,  of  No- 

[eiub(  T   \:\.  l'^lt">.  or  even  in  that  to  Dr.  Gay,  of  ^lay  1,  1847;  but  such  is  by 

o  r.  f^ach   -  -tates  the  case  more  strongly  than 

iie  1  nnd  th<  .  in  the  two  last  letters  are  those 

hicli  ;il  MK-e  to  the  experiment. 

Tn  cl«  -    ^  -r  and  final  experiment  in  1841-*42,  in  the 

of  the  letter  of  December  ly,  1S51,  to  Baron  Von  Humboldt,  last  above 

.  i*orth,Dr.  Jackson  says  :  "Reflecting  upon  these  phenomena,  the  idea  flashed 

ito  my  mind  that  I  had  made  the  discovery  I  had  for  so  long  a  time  been  in 

ttcst  qf-^d  means,"  kc.     And  he  goes  on  to  give,  formally  and  in  detJHl,  the 

?i<  ntitic  deductions  which  he  says  were  made  at  the  time,  and  which  then  led 

im  to  the  conclusion.     K  that  f*  *  *  be  tnie,  the  discovery  at  that  lirae,  so 

Lf  as  private  «xperiment  and  pi.  il  deduction  could  go,  was  as  lull  and 

)m]-  '  was  on  the  morning  ot  Uctober  1,  1846,  after  Dr.  Morton's  suc- 

^s<{  on  on  Eben  Froat, 

Now,  il'  Dr.  Jack-on,  in '^       •  '-■'■  i  ■>.!,,   »         ,     !  ,>  puch  dis- 

ivoiy.  and  in  <  ..n>  -:::>  --,  •  .  '"'^  ^vith  it, 

id  with  an  ;i  ire  to  give  it,  and  to  give  his  name  with  it,  to  man- 

ind,  how   h.'^i  ^  no  cotemporary  written  paper  or  pen-mark,  under 

hand  of  Dr.  Jack.-'on,  or  some  one  of  his  numerous  friends  or  pupils,  re- 
ains  to  attest  the  di^-^covery  ?  No  prWnt..  inomorandum  of  his  own,  detailing 
s  experim.  iits  and  his  scientific  <1  from  them;  nothing,  in  case  of 

dden  death,  to  connect  his  name  wiiu  .i:-  wi.-cov(  ^^  and  secure  the  discovery 
?elf  to  the  woitt.* 


o  On  the  contrary  in  Lis  cotemporaneous  letters  to  his  correspondents  abroad,  down  to  the 
y  1  .  •  '!<.n  Rt  the  hospital,  he  docs  not  mention  the  8e.l>jrct. 

On   t  Octrher,  1846,  (that  i«.  the  very  day  Ix'foro  the  opi-ration  at  the  ho»!- 

:al,  r  Morton  had  m    ' 

J  fri  ,.:igt,  Mr,  Josiali 

th-  ...........  ..f  »K.. 

dcv._   -     . •     :....-:.-: 

ited,  and  so  i3  the  bi^  Howard  A' 
hat  a  style  for  a  theatre!  Is  it  ii 
•ne  house,  but  there  are  now  five  \ 
11,  and  now  at  hom«v     The  Plvraoe. 

.,  &c.    .\    :     •      •  "■  -  ~ 

ie  place 

KiU.  rcjuiM.         >iot  a  mat  w;u^  (iriippr  i  mat  ne  wa»  \.u\t\i  pt*s«iessor  t>i   a  .«  <  r<i   ; 

"ormation  that  the  "Pittsburgh  Cliff  mines  hare  done  very  well,"  or  the  "L<i 


'■'      to 

■  S 

of  trothic  order. 
il'     It  i<  a  hand- 

m.     Wliat  next .'' 
aro«'d       I  hav.»  %  fir 

.^                  ire  all 
..nt«," 
was  to 

101 


134  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

The  paper  above  referred  to,  of  November  13, 1846 — wntten  after  the  discov- 
ery had  been  in  fact  made,  after  the  first  capital  operation  had  been  successfullyL 
performed  under  the  superintendence  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  after  Dr.  Jackson  had 
nearly  made  up  his  mind  to  claim  the  discovery  as  his  own — was  enclosed  to  IVT. 
Elie  de  Beaumont,  with  directions  to  file  it  in  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Scienceslul 
of  Paris,  but  not  to  break  the  seal  until  thereto  directed.     This  paper,  its  sealif^ 
and  its  custody,  show  that  Dr.  Jackson  knew  how  to  save  a  secret  and  ye1|f 
preserve  the  evidence  of  a  discovery ;  and  it  shows  that  he  was  not  negligent  oi  ^e] 
tardy,  but  hastened  to  take  a  formal  contingent  possession  of  this  discovery  icfj 
Eui'ope  before  he  witnessed,  even  as  a  spectator,  a  single  operation  under  the  in-  )oi 
fluence  of  the  new  anaesthetic  agent.     It  seems  that  he  had  not  yet  fully  made 
up  his  mind  to  claim  the  discovery.     He  wanted  further  verification  of  the 
safety  and  efficacy  of  the  anaesthetic  agent  before  he  took  the  decisive  step  ol|ii^ 
announcing  it  as  his  own.     He  therefore  directed  the  letter  making  the  claim  tc, 
the  discovery  to  be  deposited,  sealed,  in  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  al| 
Paris,  not  be  opened  until  Jie  should  direct. 

The  success  of  the  pain-subduing  agent  between  that  day  and  the  first  o;L 
December,  1846,  removed  all  doubt.  The  discovery  was  established.  It  alL 
ready  stood  first  in  rank  in  the  discoveries  of  the  century,  and  fame,  and  honorL 
and  rewards  awaited  the  discoverer.  Dr.  Jackson,  on  that  day  and  under  thes 
circumstances,  wrote  the  letter  last  above  copied,  to  M.  Elie  de  Beaumont,  di 
recting  him  to  open  the  sealed  packet,  and  publish  him,  Dr.  Jackson,  to  Europek, 
as  the  discoverer.  jij^i 

Considering  the  man  and  the  discovery;  the  inestimable  value  of  the  disco vjafc 
ery ;  the  knowledge  of  the  man,  and  his  capacity  to  appreciate  its  value;  \a\m 
full  appreciation  of  it  when  satisfied  that  the  discovery  was  in  fact  made,  ancjion 
his  eager  promptitude  in  then  seizing  and  appropriating  it  to  himself,  your  comih^ 
mittee  cannot  believe  it  possible  that  he  should  have  been  for  a  long  time  iiijfj 
earnest  pursuit  of  the  discovery  ;  that  he  should  have  made  it  and  perfected  iL, 
in  1841-'42  by  experiment  and  deduction;  that  he  should,  for  nearly  five  yearsjij^jj 
have  been  in  possession  of  it,  and  with  his  full  estimate  of  its  value;  and  yeL 
that  he  should  not,  in  its  inception  or  progress,  record  it,  somewhere,  at  somlf  \ 
time,  on  something  more  fixed  and  reliable  than  mere  frail,  uncertain,  and  mutaijjoYi 
ble  memory. 

He  knew  well,  if  he  thought  on  the  subject  at  all,  that  but  a  thin  veil  sepaion? 
rated  the  familiar  and  daily  walks  of  the  faculty  from  the  spot  where  lay  his  hidf  p 
den  treasure.  Did  he  not  fear  that  some  one  would  lift  the  veil?  He  knew  ijnp, 
was  but  a  step,  and  that  a  short  one,  from  what  was  well  known  to  the  discovery rell 
itself.  Did  he  did  not  fear  that  some  one  would  take  that  step  and  seize  th|ig|, 
prize  which  he  could  then  so  easily  secure  to  himself  forever'?^  If  he  made  th|y 
discovery  in  1841-'42,  and  w^as  not  yet  prepared  to  disclose  it,  there  was  reaso^^i 
then  for  placing  in  the  archives  of  some  European  and  some  American  academ;  jpj 

!  %^ 


Company  has  acted  like  the  d — 1,  or  worse,''  and  the  many  other  items  of  which  his  Ion  b?; 
letter  was  composed,  are  but  trifles.  ,  ^^ 

And  yet  that  ho  did  consider  it  of  sufficient  importance  to  write  to  him  about,  the  maiij  ^ 
letters  which  he  sent  to  Mr.  Whitnoy  after  the  public  announcement  fully  confirm.     Ever  , 
letter  sent  to  Mr.  Whitney  in  the  latter  part  of  November,  and  in  December,  is  full  of  at  *'' 
sertions  and  Btatemcnts  concerning  this  very  ether  discovery,  which  prove  the  importanc 
and  value  which  he  really  attached  to  it.     Is  not  this  singular  omission  on  the  part  of  U 
.lackson  to  notify  one  of  his  most  intimate  friends,  and  tlie  person,  as  will  be  seen  by  otlu 
letters,  in  the  course  of  this  work,  xipon  whom  he  relied  to  establish  his  claim,  a  very  f;i 
pendant  to  the  letter  written  by  Dr.  Wells  io  Morton,  and  copied,  when  speaking  of  tt 
Wells  chiim  ?     In  one  case  we  have  a  letter  written  on  the  day  before  the  public  trial,  i 
which  no  allusion  is  made  to  it,  or  to  the  discovery.     In  the  other  case  the  letter  is  writtef'l'h 
four  days  afltr  it.     Verily,  the  {len  is  mightier  than  the  sword,  and  often  declares 
proves  a  truth,  by  unexpected  means,  which  uo  feiu:  of  the  latter  instrument  could 
force  a  recognition  of. 


ni 


DR.   WM.   T.   0.    MORTOjr.  135 


»(»nled  paper,  giving  an  account  of  the  fecta  observed,  and  the  dodjictions 
rawn  at  the  timo,  that  this  much  at  ]>      '  '      ht  be  beyond  the  r*     '  "  y 

nd   rli.ince.      Hut  wr^H   th'^n*  nnv  jii-  for  thi«»  wliun  h«' 

3al.-.l    Irftrr  a'  ..-    -M  .  »^      Tl,(.  , 

iiMic  am]  i:i  "h  before  !  is 

-riti*'!!  a.  The  pack't  phip  that  carried  that  letter  bore  also  the  ncwa 

f  the  di-c-  -;  >  Europe.  Wliat  secret  did  this  paper  contain,  that  it  must  bo 
ept  under  seal  until  th<'  next  arrival  from  America  ?  Nothing,  surely,  which 
as  not  public  in  Boston  when  ♦l"^  v'f^ket  sailed;  public  also,  of  course,  on 
oard  of  the  ship,  and  which  mu.--  lie  over  all  Plurope  within  twenty-four 

our?  after  she  should  touch  the  i.i^-  '  ^  rks. 

The  sealed  letter  contained  but  on»  ret  not  known  over  the  European 

tid  American  world,  before  it  reacln  a  tiie  hands  of  M.  Elie  de  Beaumont, 
amely:  that  Dr.  Chailes  T.  Jackson  claimed  the  discovery  as  his.  And  why  did 
e  not  then  avow  it,  and  proclaim  it  ^  liis  claim  to  remain 

nder  T^i«'  5=eal  of  secrecy  till  the  m  ■  r  of  Ist  lVceml>er 

kves  -<in.     It  advises  M.  Elie  d-  '  (^ 

lewly  rod  anaesthetic  agent  is  com.  ;        ^ 

)re.  the  .  and  disclose  its  contents  to  the  academy.     He  did  so ; 

nd  Dr.  J  ._.^     ..  :  rthwith  in  possession  of  the  discovery  in  Europe. 

Until  the  first  capital  operation  under  the  influence  of  the  vapor  of  ether, 
'hich  took  place  on  the  7th  of  November,  1846,  Dr.  Jackson  had  evidently  no 
xed  eoiifi(l.Mice  in  its  success  as  an  anaesthetic  agent.  Nor  did  this  seem  to 
iti?fy  him  fully.  Six  days  after  this  he  sent  his  sealed  statement  to  be 
epositod  in  the  academy  at  Paris,  and  not  until  many  more  Fnccpp.«ful  opc^a- 
onr5  ^  '  '  n  perfonii  ^  v^  the  superintendence  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  until 
le  1  of  the  ii  ;s  was  removed,  did  he  direct  pnblirntion  to  be 

ladt  )Vory.     It  is  not  to  be  credited  t^  Veady 

OSS.  -  r  five  years,  and  knew  its  value  iithu- 

;a.sm  ut  ill-  (i  ,  that  he  held  it,  aiv^  !id  rejoiced  in  it,  for 

ve  years;  an     _  '  v.o  word  or  line  r  ■  ,  \yy  hjm  or  any  one 

F  his  numerous   -  il  friends  to  him,  or  for  him,  until   the  letter  of 

Fovember  13,  IS;  .....:  :i«r  evm  d.nrklv  m  his  possession  of  the  mighty 
rize.     And  the  difficulty  i  d  when  these  striking  facts  are 

jnsidered  in  connexion  with  lii..-  li^u.  ..  >  ii^oodying  the  first  written  ^♦••»  '"0'>t 
P  Dr.  Jackson's  alleged  discovery.     The  accounts  there  given  of  1  1 

Kperiments  in  1841-'42  show  no  new  discovery,  but  a  mere  repenn  n  rt  a 
ell-known  prescription  for  it«  nsual  purpose,  attendi'd  with  effects  also  before 
lat  time  wrll  kno\\*n.  And  the  medical  journals  from  the  other  side  of  the 
.tlantic,  wliich  returned  with  a  r^^vnew  of  the  discov#»ry,  show  thi=»  fne^  and 
emprise  all  the  merits  of  the  <V  •  in  the  s'  ^e 

apor  of  pulphnric  ether  a?  nn  n:  •  nprent  in  n. 

^/k<  nfthe 

mer  '.''■'■'','  'rndtd 

nd  exteruieii  '  of  March  1,  1^47,  anfl  more  them  threr  years  before 

w  letter  of  1^  i^'rnber,  1851,  tn  V^nmn  Vnv  TTunihofdt,  the  stafrmrnf  in 
•hich,  if  it  be  believed,  supplies  all  f  the  tcant  of  a  public 

tperiment,  or  one,  at  least,  made  in  t„.  //  ...  „. ,  -,  .,  ../lesses.  But  it  ^'-  -'-"vje, 
■  that  statement  be  true,  that  Dr.  Jackson,  from  1841-'42,  to  Sep'  ^ 

346,  never  a:  -  '--^  *^-*  -^.— ,.:,._  ., -^,  ^]^^^  after  he  pp-*'  ~  ^  *-.  hav«-  ^hh.  rml 
le  discovery  iment  and  inducti";  red  it  to  sleep 

•r  five  years,  (innn^  vnich  time  he  never  made  another  experiment  of  any 
ind  on  himself  or  on  another  person,  or  even  on  a  domestic  animal ;  that,  from 
ret  to  last,  he  never  made  an  experiment*  of  any  kind  in  tlie  pn  sence  of 
itnesses.  Indeed,  for  several  years  prior  to  30th  September,  1^46.  the  use  of 
alphnric  ether  appears  to  have  ceased  in  his  laboratory,  for  in  his  letter  to 


136  DR.   WM.    T.   G.   MOKTON. 

Baron  Von  Humboldt,  giving  liis  version  of  the  interview  with  Dr.  Morton  oi.nau 
that  day,  he  says:  jnij 

facl 
"He  (Morton)  asked  me  to  let  him  take  the  hottle  of  sulphuric  ether  whicl|;iie; 
I  had  just  shown  him;  hnt  since  it  had  hecn  standing  in  the  laboratory  fa^-^^-^i 
SOME  YEARS,  1  feared  it  might  have  become  deteriorated.  I  therefore  advise«  jeri 
him  to  go  to  Mr.  Burnett,  one  of  our  best  apothecaries,  and  get  some  pur^  ;cal 
sulphuric  ether."  '^._^^^ 

Dr.  Jackson  evidently  feels  that  the  long  delay,  from  1841-'42  to  1846,  ii,^ 
bringing  out  his  alleged  discovery,  and  the  sudden  and  abrupt  manner  in  whicl  \^ 
h  e  professes  to  have  placed  it  in  the  hands  of  a  man  whom  he  stigmatizes  as  ai,  \ 
*' ignoramus'^  and  a  '' quack, ^^  require  explanation;  and  in  his  letter  to  BaroiJ 
Von  Humboldt,  he  gives  the  following :  ,  ,> 

**It  is  obvious  enough,  to  those  who  know  the  circumstances,  why  I  engagec"*^' 

an  ignorant  man  to  introduce  my  discovery.     I  had  already,  before  Mr.  Mortoi'"^^ 

came  to  Boston  and  set  up  as  a  dentist,  endeavored  to  engage  more  responsibl«"J^^ 

persons  to  make  trial  of  the  ether  in  their  practice!  but  they  declined  doing  so'   1 

knowing  that  the  medical  and  toxicological  books  declared  it  to  be  a  dangerov^^^^ 

experiment,  while  I  insisted  that  it  was  not  dangerous.     They  thought  that  ii^'^ 

their  medical  capacity  they  would  incur  responsibility  for  any  accidents  thai. 

mighjb  happen  to  the  patients,  and  hence  feared  to  act/'  ''^^' 

iDaD 

If  Dr.  Jackson  made,  in  truth,  this  great  discovery  in  the  winter  of  1841-'42l'g« 

and  was  conscious  of  its  truth  and  its  value,  the  above  statement,  in  the  opinioii^t 

of  your  committee,  falls  far  short  of  a  sufficient  explanation  of  the  fact  that  h<!^t 

so  long  delayed  announcing  it  to  the  world.     According  to  him,  the  discoverjoa 

was  complete  as  soon  as  he  awoke  from  the  state  of  unconsciousness  into  whicl '«ii 

he  had  been  brought  by  inhaling  the  ether  vapor.     All  was  complete,  excepl'pe' 

to  bring  it  out  by  an  actual  experiment  in  the  presence  of  the  surgical  faculty— I  fou 

as  complete,  as  far  as  he  was  concerned,  as  it  was  on  the  morning  of  the  SOtllwn 

of  September,  1846.     Now,  can  it  be  believed  that  durhig  more  than  four  year^'it 

that  intervened  between  the  time  of  the  alleged  discovery  and  the  public  exper 

ments  of  Dr.  Morton,  no  available  means  offered  themselves  to  Dr.  Jackson  t(fcci 

test  it,  and  disclose  it,  and  prove  it  to  the  world?     He  says,  "And  it  is  wel^on 

known  that  the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether  was  sometimes  inhaled  by  the  younj  ii?t 

men  at  college."     Could  he  not,  after  this  discovery,  have  been  present,  am  "ip 

after  leading  the  way  himself  have  induced  some  of  them  to  inhale  it  until  vM 

produced  insensibility'?     Could  he  not  have  himself  inlialed  it  before  his  friends '^«f 

and  associates  of  the  hospital,  and  satisfied  them  of  its  safety  by  his  speed) 'iffi 

recovery,  of  its  complete  suspension  of  all  sensibility  to  pain  by  usual  tests  wit!  \ 

which  he  was  familiar,  or  even  something  more  decisive,  as  the  actual  cautery'lie 

applied  for  an  instant  to  some  sensitive  part?     Conviction  would  have  followec^u 

a  simple  and  safe  exhibition  like  this,  and  his  associates — members  of  the  facult}ilist 

of  the  hospital — ^would  not  have  hesitated  to  further  test  the  discovery  by  sur''«L* 

gical  operations.    Indeed,  we  cannot  suppose  that  they  would  liave  hesitated  U  *w 

do  80  at  once  on  his  mere  statement  of  the  experiment  u])on  himself,  as  givei  ^^ 

to  Baron  Von  Humboldt,  and  his  assurance  that  it  produced  aniesthesia,  anc  »( 

was  attended  with  no  injurious  effects.     They  did  not  hesitate  to  grant  it  to  th(  a? 

representations  of  Dr.  Morton,  a  young  n\an  almost  a  stranger  to  tlie  faculty  ^r 

Dr.  Jackson,  it  seems,  too,  believed  they  would  grant  it  thus  readily,  for  lie  sayt  »ii 

he  directed  and  urged  Dr.  Morton  to  go  and  ask  it,  to  which  he  says  Dr.  iVIor  3i 

ton  reluctantly  consented ;  and  Dr.  Jackson  gave  him  no  written  paper,  am 

epokc  no  kind  word  in  liis  behalf  tp  any  of  the  faculty.    With  the  extraordinar} 

facilities  for  bringing  out  such  discovery  which  Dr.  Jackson  had  at  his  vcr} 

door;  with  his  own  high  scictitific  position,  which  enabled  liim  fully  to  com  ' 


^' 


DR.    WM.    T     O.    IMflTM.  137 

thein,  your  <  «'  that  In  y  aii«]  was 

gnpelled  by  a  kii ...^ ^'  i,.^i4  lo  withli  -   ...     .wirlil.     Dr. 

ACK80U  kIiows  uo  Hucli  iicccsaity.    Nor  can  your  <•  l>eli('ve  that  he  had 

le  Bccret,  uuJ  held  it,  lor  auy  ro^ison  or  from  aii>  i. .<...., ,  a  buried  taleut  for 
early  ^ve  yeara ;  that  he  wilue^std  from  lime  to  time,  during  all  that  long 
leriod,  the  upmy  of  the  h  *  i     ■        '      •  df  tho  uiutcry,  the 

calpel,  and  the  knife,  aiul  and  knew  he  had, 

overei}z:n  powrr  (»ver  pain,  uiul  i  mily  \.illi  a  breath. 

But  Dr.  Jaiksnn.  in   liis  <»wii  iiiir  in   nicn.nce  to  this  dis- 

overy,  and  itti  \\-  i*'.  from  the  30th  of 

i€ptcmber,  184G.  «  lied,  proves  that  he 

ras  not  and  did  not  b»  .  iseif  to  be  the  dit*covirer.     Oivin^  Dr.  Jackbon 

10  full  beuetit  of  the  ie  opinion  which  lie  entertained  of  Dr.  Morton 

fi^K  he  had  determined  to  become  his  competitor  for  the  honor  of  the  dis- 
Jorery,  (which  appeai-f*  bv  ]>^<  certificate,  namely,  that  he  was  a  younj;  man  of 
narked  eu(  r«ry  and  ii  •,   and  very  creditable   acquirements   in  tuch 

(•ranches  of  science  as  pi  li.um  a  to  his  profession,)  stUl  it  is  not  within  the  range 
f  probability  that  Dr.  Jackson,  had  he  possessed  the  discovery,  would  have 
utru.-ti  d  him  or  any  one  else  to  test  its  meilts  in  the  manner  and  under  the  cir* 
.umstances  in  which  h«*  professi-d  to  have  intnisted  it. 

I  II  ■  '  l>r.  Morton  ignorant  of  sulphuric  ether,  its  jjroper- 
ies,  Im?  had  never  ihoufjht  of  if<  M^tplicarion  in  the 
aann- !  ,          .-<d.     iSureiy  he  w   '              -elect  a  ni:  -thetic 

gem  i;m  i:.  ii>  perform  the  delic          ^    ration  of  i  cy  and 

afety.     lie    knew    h«»w  much  depended  on  its   t                        ;i,    and  he  also 
.new  that  it  re(iuired  science  and  skill  to  render  tin        ,                 suoeer^sful,  and 
0  avoid  danj::er  and  disaster.     Sulphuric  ether  would  jiroduce  in^^ensibility  to 
>ain ;   too  little  of  it  would  make  the  experiment  ineticctual  and  expose  the 
perator  to  ridicule ;   too  much,  or  the  proper  quantity  un.skiltuUy  administered, 
/ould  prfiduce  asphyxia,  |)erhap8  death.    Under  tli .  Dr.  Jack- 
on  could  nut  have  trusted  a  young  man  without  i  .  and  with- 
ut  t!      '                               'I'hmic  ether  or  its  effec ;                           iiis  first  great 
xp«  ;                                          think  it  not  worth  h.                          present.     But, 
cco!                                                  '      LMve  to  Dr.  y\<                  utiicieut  instruction 
orrt                                                         ion  on  which  li                 if.     Ifo  pave  all  the 
istr                                                j^^ive  in  ten  z/^',  and  his 
upii.                                             iirmvut,  ca J"       _    t                                   y.     lie  des- 
Atched  him,  however,  on  his  mission  of  mercy  to  bani.-h  pain  from  the  human 
BUje,  and  he  him.-elf  (juietly  took  his  seat  again  in  his  laboratory,  and  troubled 
imsclf  no  further  about  tho  result, 
^^r.  Jackson,  had  hr  tlw^n.^lir  ah  tl.o  Biil,i'..«.f.  knew  well   that  the  effects  of 
ther  vapor  would  be  <:                                               -,  and  even  on  the  same  per- 
jn  in  diti'erent  states  oi  uu  t^y.-uiu.     lia.i  m-  onu  about   to  bring  out  his  own 
iscovery,  the  cmwninjr  hcmor  of  his  life,  he  would  not  only  have  attended  in 
er.^'i         '       '    '     '         ,'       of  the  anesthetic  agent,  but  he  ^s      'i' 
ecu                                                      ion  of  a  subject.     On  the  contr 
'as /ia  '                                                      i   on  the  worst  su^ 
ervous  <.                                                       trd  to  /tuhmit  to  < 
ras  what  Dr.  .M 
Nr.  Jackson  sav^ 
ill.     Theti 

■B  as  Dr.  Ja.  ..  '  ^^  r 

f  anything  other  and  further  than  tht  refractory  patient.  But  Dr.  Morton  re- 
imed  to  Dr.  Jackson's  laboratory  the  next  day,  nn<l  riM.r.rf...]  rho  success  of  the 
Iperiment.     Dr.  Jackson,  according  to  the  tegr  nes,  one  of  his 

ritnesses,  is  quite  unmoved,  and  expresses  no  surpn-. ,  ..  <  -      ""1.  as  Dr. 


138  DR,   WM.   T.   G.    MORTON. 


Jaclv?on  himself  says,  urged  Dr.  Morton  to  go  to  Dr.  Warren  and  get  his  permis- 
s»ion  to  try  it  in  a  capital  case  at  the  hospital.  Now,  if  Dr.  Jackson  were  really  the 
(lijicovcrer,  and  had  employed  Dr.  Morton  to  make  the  experimentybr  him,  and 
a-  his  agent,  why  did  he  send  Irhn,  or  advise  or  urge  him,  to  go  to  the  hospital 
at  all  ?  He  refused  him  a  written  certificate  that  the  ana}sthetic  agent  which  he 
used  was  harmless,  because,  as  his  foraier  counsel,  the  Messrs.  Lords,  said  for 
him,  of  an  "  unwillingness  to  figure  in  Morton's  advertisements,  and  his  pru- 
donee  in  refusing  to  make  himself  responsible  for  anything  and  everything 
Morton,  in  his  ignorance,  might  do  with  an  agen.t  so  liable  to  the  most  danger- 
ous abused  How  came  he,  then,  to  trust  Dr.  Morton  with  this  agent  ?  Why 
did  he'  urge  him  to  go  with  it  to  the  hospital  %  H(5  says,  in  his  letter  to  M.  Elie 
de  Beaumont,  that  the  experiments  in  the  hospital  were  his.  He  had  his  Anaes- 
thetic agent  tested  there  in  a  capital  experiment.  He  sent  Dr.  Morton  to  Dr. 
Warren  to  ask  its  admission  into  the  hospital,  and  yet  refused//  Dr.  Morton  a 
written  certificate  of  the  safety  of  the  agent  because  he  would  not  '*  make  him,' 
self  responsible^  And  who  was  responsible  ?  We  have  no  hesitation  in  say- 
ing that  Dr.  Jackson's  claim  to  these  experiments  is  unfounded,  and  his  state- 
ments so  far  untrue,  or  he  was  guilty  of  bad  faith  towards  Dr.  Morton,  and 
especially  towards  the  faculty  of  the  hospital. 

But  the  question  recurs,  why  did  he  urge  Dr.  Morton  to  go  to  the  hospital  afr 
all  ?     He  does  not  pretend  to  have  employed  him  as  his  sole  and  only  agent  toi 
bring  out  his  discovery.     On  the  contrary,  according  to  the  statement  of  Barnes,|to 
his  witness.  Dr.  Jackson,  on  the  1st  of  October,  when  applied  to  by  Dr.  Mortonli?/ 
to  keep  the  discovery  secret,  replied,  "  No ;  I  will  have  no  secrets  with  my  pro-f*itl 
fesslonal  brethren."    He  was  under  no  obligations  to  Dr.  Morton.    Why  did  hePs 
send  him  to  the  hospital  ?     He  had  trusted  Dr.  Morton  in  one  case  only.    If  helthe 
did  not  think  it  worth  his  while  to  attend  at  the  hospital  himself  and  see  in  per-lDi. 
son  to  the  administration  of  the  anaesthetic  agent  in  a  capital  case,  he  might'out 
have  trusted  it  to  some  one  of  the  learned  surgeons  of  the  hospital,  to  whom  h 
could  in  a  few  minutes'  time  have  communicated  all  the  information  which  he 
gave  to  Dr.  Morton  but  the  day  before.     He  would  then  also  have  been  free' 
from  all  responsibility,  wdiich,  though  refused  in  ivriting,  he  says  was  assumcd^^ 
before  witnesses,  for  what,  in  the  language  of  Dr.  Jackson's  counsel,  **  Morton,  con: 
in  his  ignorance  and  rashness,  might  do  with  an  agent  so  liable  to  the  most  dan-^'isa 
gerous  abuse''     This  would  have  been  consistent.     If  he  engaged  a  dentist  toTn 
use  his  discovery  when  he  should  extract  a  tooth,  would  he  not  have  engaged  atlie 
surgeon  to  use  it  when  he  should  amputate  a  limb  ?     For  what  possible  reason^  prio; 
if  his  statement  be  true,  could  he  send  the  dentist,  who  was  profoundly  ignoranttioii 
of  his  anaesthetic  agent,  to  administer  it  in  a  capital  surgical  operation  amonginni 
learned  and  skilful  men,  and  at  the  same  time  advise  him  how  to  disguise  it  sojcov 
that  they  might  not  know  what  he  was  using  %     He  was  determined  to  hav»no  Jad 
secrets  with  his  professional  brethren,  and  that  he  would  tell  them  all  that  he[iei 
had  told  Dr.  Morton ;  yet  he  put  Dr.  Morton  in  possession  of  a  convenient 
means  of  disguising  the  agent,  and  keeping  secret  the  actual  discovery.     Thisfo 
was  consistent  and  right  if  it  were  Dr.  Morton's  discovery,  but  a  self-contradic-i  ind 


tion  on  the  instant,  almost  in  the  same  breath,  if  it  were  his  own.  It  is  clear  toiivi 
us  that  at  this  time  Dr.  Jackson  did  not  claim  the  discovery,  but  held  himselfi  iii>i! 
in  such  position  that  he  might  at  any  moment  assert  an  interest  in,  or  repudiate  iall 
and  condemn  it.  Sometiiiu"S  the  experiments  of  Dr.  ^lorton  were  successful,  lovei 
and  Dr.  Jackson  spoke  well  of  the  discovery  to  a  few  special  friends,  as  Mr.  lot 
Hitchcock  and  Mr.  Sumner.  Sometimes  the  experiments  were  unfortunate,  aaiati'i 
in  the  case  of  the  boy  supposed  to  be  poisoned,  and  Dr.  Jackson  doubted  thelke 
success  of  the  discovery,  and  censured  Dr.  Morton,  as  in  his  conversation  withi  roni, 
Caleb  Eddy,  Francis  Whitman,  and-  Dr.  Gould. 

"On  the  16th  of  October,"  we  repeat  from  the  report,  "the  first  operation 
was  performed  in  the  hospital,  at  which,  as  we  have  already  shown.  Dr.  Jack-n 


DB.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 


109 


did  uot  atteii - 
fit  tin-  liospita. 


-  namo  MAS  not  known.     The  aecoDu 
.  ,  .    _  .  •  Kill.  Dr.  .T.itk>"ii  t.ikiiiL'  no  part  ; 

•r  his  Qpuniifd.     J'> 

iti.*...  ..  .-a  the  part  of  Dr.  ^L ...    .  ......      ...  .... ...    ......  ,...   ., 

hot»piuI.     But  at  thid  time^r.  Jackson's  confidence  in  Dr.  Morton,  11'  h 
did  confide  in  him,  i>  "^ 
neighbor  and  fi-imd,  < 
lb  of  a  pat! 
ig  it  a8  li< 
bet\V' 
It  h^ 


li 


;^one.     He  denies,  in  the  convcr.'»ation  with 

Icly,  that,  under  the   intluencc  of  ether,  the 

'.    ■  .  y    ton  'ia  a  r-    '  '  for 

'yyet.'     A  rr- 

.'I  of  Oetobcr  he  declared 

much  Morton  advertised, 


it. 


he 


1        s  quirrd  eclat  by  his  constant  success,  as 

iy  and  rapidly  rose  in  the  e-  of  other  scientific  men,  he  as 

..^     ind  as   niKidly  sunk  in  the      .  ...  lion  of  Dr.  Jack.ion.     The  evi- 

Franci.-  '  i  and  Caleb  Eddy  show  that,  prior  and  up  to  the  23d 

^;..;,er.  Dr.  J«^«......  opoke  doubtingly  of  the  eflfect  of  ether,  and  conrl'""' - -l 

;«";  and  there  is  no  proof  whatever  that,  within  that  time,  he  lent  thr 

to  Dr.  Morton  to  sastain  the  disc  '•—   .and  all  his  reia.irK.-, 
d  by  Mr.  Hitchcock  to  have  be< 


t)  him  on  the  2d  and 
lc  both  in  the  opera- 


I  Dr.  Keep  occurred 

nd  was  .-c  -      •       ' 

—  again«t  V  . 

This  st.T  ;-^  id,  in 

with  the  .1  m  that 


h  <>rOc: 
4  j^enerul  > 
1  iii  the  full  ut. 

on  of  your  <  ^  <nt 

was  the  '  r;  that  he  had  employed  Dr.  Morton  to  bring 

..    -    very;  and  . :  :^c  experiments  of  Morton  were  tried  on  the  respon- 

11  ty  of  Dr.  Jack.«on. 

On  the  30th  of  September  the  first  succ^-^'^^"^  f-  ■••^tion  took  place.     On 
1st  of  October  Dr.  Morton  applied  to  R.  I  nt  for  the  patents,  to 

Mr.  h(i'ly  took  the  case  iut* 


in  procuring  a  patent  for  tli 
1 1  ion,  and  did  not  see  Dr. 


h. 
^ri. 
ion 
ind 

10  very.     He,  call  • 
Fack-^on  wa.*  tn  1 
»er  cent,  on  • 
*'  This  arr  I 
a  private  i 
md  not  now  (uuicti, 
ive  participation  in  the  discovery. 
Risiness  tran        *     —  "  '       '    ' 


rry. 

_Min  until  the  21st. 

with  them 

fal  to  th' 


In  the  meMi 

of 
nd 


,  proved  by  t! 
shows  conclusive  ly  ui« 


•Ued  and  i 
0Yery;  not  to  iii 
to  give  any 
ition  in  moi 
le  30tb  of  > 
/ould   I 
his  C''>ir        .: 


^ud  iulormatiuu  ' 
00,  if  ten  por  cmi 
ipou  as  il  lid  for  i: 

^:    .LLi'jnt  is  emir    ^  iit  with  th'_ 

koB  far  taken  of  the  case,  but  it  is  wholly  inexpUcable  on  the  ground  ass 

J  Dr.  Jackson." 


Dr.  Morton  for  a  ; 
I       Morton  in  making  ti 
and  it  was  then  arranged  that  Dr. 
lie  Iinl   given  Dr.  Morton,  if  ten 
that  amount. 
.,^,  and  between  tl'""^-'--^'-"^, 
t  conversation  witli 
VM'W  that  each  had  of 
It  wa.x,  betwocu  them  both,  ■  a 

rs  and  cent.^  ;   and  clearly  Dr.  J  ack.^on 
,  not  to  as.*«rt   his  rightn  to    tln^   dis- 

a- 
on. 
ol 

.  L_ive 


•  ha.. 

nn  li. 


140  DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON. 

This  agreement  being  concluded,  Dr.  Jacksou  "^rent  home,  as  he  himself 
admits,  and  charged  Dr.  Morton  $500  on  his  books  for  the  information  which 
he  had  given  him.  This  is-^he  first  entry  or  pen-mark  made  by  Dr.  Jackson 
with  regard  to  this  discovery  vihicli  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  your  com- 
mittee. It  is  true  Dr.  Jackson  insists  that  ike  arrangement,  in  pursuance  of 
which  the  entry  w  as  made,  was  obtained  from  him  by  the  falsehood  and  subtlety 
of  Dr.  Morton.  The  assertion  is  easily  made,  but  of  little  value  against  the 
contradictory  statement  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  the  whole  sequence  of  facts  going 
fully  to  sustain  that  statement.  A  written  paper,  signed  by  Dr.  Jackson  on  the 
i^7th  of  October,  1846,  sustains  the  arrangement  resulting  in  the  entry  by  Dr. 
Jackson;  but  this,  also,  he  attempts  to  invalidate,  on  the  alleged  ground  that  it 
was  altered,  without  his  knowledge  or  consent,  by  Mr.  Eddy,  tiie  patent  solicitor, 
after  he  had  agreed  to  sign  it,  and  before  he  signed  it,  and  that  thus  a  false 
paper  was  palmed  upon  him.  This  statement  is  also  wholly  unsupported,  and 
at  variance  with  proof  and  probability.  The  former  committee,  in  speaking  of 
the  conversation  testified  to  by  Mr.  Eddy,  and  the  arrangement  that  Dr.  Morton 
should  pay  Dr.  Jackson  $500,  if  ten  per  cent,  on  the  proceeds  of  sale  would 
amount  to  it,  say  : 

*'  But  the  representations  and  advice  of  Mr.  Eddy,  the  common  friend  of  the 
parties,  modified  their  arrangement.  He  represented  to  Dr.  Morton  that  Dr. 
Jackson,  from  having  given  him  the  information  and  advice  spoken  of  on  the 
30th  of  September,  was  entitled  to  participate  in  the  patent  as  a  joint  discov- 
erer; that  if  he  were  not  joined  in  the  patent,  the  fact  of  his  giving  that 
information  vrould  be  used  to  impeach  the  patent;  and  that  if  Dr  Jackson  were 
joined  as  a  patentee,  his  name,  and  his  advice  and  assistance,  would  be  useful  in 
bringing  out  the  discovery,  and  giving  it  celebrity.  With  these  arguments  Dr. 
Morton  was  satisfied,  and  consented  that  Dr.  Jackson  should  be  named  as  a 
joint  discoverer  in  the  patent.  Mr.  Eddy  also  advised  with  Dr.  Jackson,  who 
informed  him  tliat,  *  by  the  laws  of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  he 
would  be  prevented  from  joining  with  Dr.  Morton  in  taking  out  a  patent,  as  he 
would  be  expelled  from  the  association  if  he  did  so.  He  further  stated  that  he 
intended  to  make  a  professional  charge  of  $500  for  the  advice  he  had  given 
him,  and  that  Dr.  Morton  had  acceded  to  this ;  that  he  did  not  wish  his  name 
coupled  with  Dr.  Morton  in  any  manner;  that  Dr.  Morton  might  take  out  a 
patent,  if  he  desired  to  do  so,  and  do  what  he  pleased  with  it.'  At  a  subse- 
quent interview,  prior  to  the  27th  October,  Mr.  Eddy  urged  Dr.  Jackson  "to 
waive  his  objections  to  associating  with  Dr.  Morton,  as  *  1  was  confident  that 
be  was  mistaken  in  his  views  as  to  what  would  be  the  action  of  the  medical 
association;  that  Dr.  Morton  could  not  properly  take  out  a  patent  without  him; 
and  that  by  joining  in  the  patent,  he  would,  of  a  certainty,  be  obt^aining  credit 
as  a  discoverer;  whereas,  should  he  not  do  so,  he  might  lose  all  credit,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  magnetic  telegraph,  which,  I  understood  from  Dr.  Jackson,  he  ha(J 
euggested  to  Professor  Morse.'  The  objection  as  to  the  medical  society  was 
removed  on  consultation  with  Dr.  Gould.  Dr.  Jackson  consented  to  join  in  the 
patent,  and  it  was  agreed  that  he  should  have  ten  per  cent,  of  the  proceeds  for 
his  interest  in  it." 

in  settling  the  question  to  whom  belongs- the  lionor  of  the  discovery,  it  is 
unimportant  whether  Dr.  Jackson  did  or  did  not  desire  to  give  it  freely  to  the 
nvorld.  Such  desire,  if  he  had  it,  did  not  make  the  discovery  liis ;  and  if  it  I 
were  not  in  fact  his,  the  desire  is  without  merit.  In  one  point  of  view  only  is 
the  patent  question  and  contest  relevant,  namely :  to  show  what  the  parties 
understood  of  llicir  several  rights;  nor  would  we  touch  upon  that,  after  the 
above  examination  of  the  subject  by  the  former  committee  of  the  House,  but  to 
add  to  it  another  item  of  evidence.  After  this  controversy  liad  arisen  and  waxed 
warm,  on  the day  of  January,  1847,  Messrs.  Loring  &  Hays,  the  counsel 


J 


f>rot 
II.- 1 


DR.  WM.   T.   0.   MORTON.  141 

Dr.  Jackson,  addressed  a  letter  to  Dr.  Morton,  of  which  the  following  is  an 
extract : 

•*  It  srcmnd  best  that  the  differences  between  Dr.  Jackson  and  yourself  should 
not  be  made  public ;  on  the  contrary,  that  it  should  bo  generally  understood  the 
difficulties  wiTC  in  the  course  of  adjustment.  •  •  •  y^Q  have  uniformly 
laid,  when  inquir«-d  of,  that  wo  were  making  airangements  that  we  h  '  v  »uld 
Ustrihute  the  profits  of  the  discovery  in  j^uch  a  manner  that  would  be  jrjr 

o  ,•  ■■ 

^  pre'^ent  eirrumstanccs  of  the  case,  we  think  the  least  that,  in  jns»t4ee 
o  }  in,  you  can  offer,  U  twenty-t'^  ,        t 

Ml-     _  1.  both  at  home  and  abroad,  i 

upon  you.         •♦••*»•• 

••  It  is  our  wi:»h  to  settle  this  matter  amicably,  if  possible.     We  hope  you  will 
M,*o,  by  our  suj:;;(\'<tion3,  that  wc  wish  only  to  have  a  fair  di.^^trihntion  of  the 
fits  of  a  di.-JCi'V(Ty  made  among  those  who  cannot,  if  they  disagree,  effiKitually 
u.-taiu  the  patent,  and  which,  if  sustained,  promises  to  give  to  all  parties  large 
nms  of  moHci/  /or  their  vnitcd  co-operation.^* 

The  proposition  was  rejected  by  Dr.  Morton.  This  transaction  shows  the 
new  that  the  jjartics  each  entertained,  at  that  time,  of  his  rights  in  the  discovery, 
ftod  it  diX'.s  not,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  place  Dr.  Jackson  in  a  fiivor- 
able  position  to  denounce  the  patent,  in  the  profits  of  which  he  desired  thus  to 
participate,  as  *'an  infaiiurus  speculation  on  human  suffering*' 
The  former  committee  proceed  to  say : 

*•  Your  coinriiiitee  do  not  feel  that  on  this  question  of  fact  the  parties  ought 
to  bo  bound  by  the  legal  conclusions  of  their  common  friend,  Mr.  Eddy,  or  by 
the  papei-8  wliich  they  executed  in  pursuance  of  his  legal  advice.  But  they  do 
consider  the  communications  mado  by  them  at  the  time  to  Mr.  Eddy,  the  mutual 
agreement  of  the  parties  between  themselves  as  touching  the  discovery,  and  the 
facts  admitted  by  them  on  the  consultation,  as  matter  of  the  utmost  importance 
and  significance.  A  voluntary  agre/?ment  took  place  between  the  parties  on  that 
day,  of  which  both  must  have  understood  the  full  force  and  eftect,  and  to  which 
neither  seems  to  have  been,  or  probably  could  have  been,  impelled  by  advice  or 
counsel.  It  was  that  the  whole  right  to  use  the  discovery  under  the  patent 
should  b'-  and  was  assigned  to  Dr.  Morton,  he  paying  to  Dr.  Jackson  ten  per 
cent,  on  all  saloa  for  licenses. 

Your  co:  innot  here  fail  to  remember  the  unqualified  terms  of  con- 

tempt and.n  I  :  in  which  Dr.  Jackson  had,  during  the  preceding  part. of 

the  month,  down  almost  to  the  very  date  of  this  arrangement,  spoken  of  Dr.  Morton 
and  his  alleged  ignorance  and  recklessness  in  the  use  of  this  agent.  They  caa- 
not  conceive  it  possible,  if  he  felt  himsdf  to  be  the  true  discoverer,  that  he  would, 
by  solemn  contract,  relinquish  all  power  over  his  discovery,  and  place  it  solely  iu 
the  hands  of  a  man  of  whom  he  thought  so  ill.  Dr.  Jackson  indignantly  repels 
the  idea  that  it  was  done  for  the  pur])ose  of  gain,  and  we  think  it  could  not  be 
the  case,  m  the  pittance  reserved  to  him,  if  he  conceived  himself  the  true  dis- 
coverer, was  despicably  small.  And  how  could  1.  1  to  nQt^wvco  fatne  by- 
abandoning  the  most  important  discovery  of  the  a-  which,  if  it  were  his, 
and  if,  under  the  auspices  of  his  reputat'  •  li  his  .skill  ^^'re 
presented  to  the  world,  could  not  fail  to  H  on  tho  i  aid 
professional  I  mincnce.  How  could  1  '  *  uiering 
ail  control  Over  the  discovery,  and  j  :  ^n  as  he 
"  represented  and  still  n                  :                     •  >  be. 

"A  careful  examination  <  :   ::i     i     >  i   jicts  and  conversations  of  the 

ies,  down  to  the  27th  of  October,  about  which  it  woul  ;  ar  com- 

there  could  be  no  doubt,  renders  it  clear,  almost  t  •  n,  that 

f  neither  Dr.  Jackson  nor  Dr.  Morton,  nor  any  of  those  w!  or 

j  aided  in  the  operation,  supposed  that  Dr.  Jackson  was  entiJuii  lu  iiic.  uiciii  of 


•;, 


142  DR.   WM.   T.   O.   MORTON. 

this  discovery,  or  any  otlicr  merit  than  'that  of  having  communicated  important 
information  to  Dr.  Morton ;  and  if  Ave  trace  the  conduct  of  the  parties  further, 
this  opinion  is  but  confirmed. 

"On  the  7th  of  November  a  capital  operation  was  performed  by  Br.  Hayward  ijj 
in  the  hospital,  the  patient  being  under  the  influence  of  sulphuric  ether,  admin- 
istered by  Dr.  Morton.  Dr.  Warren,  being  informed  by  Dr.  Jackson  that  he 
suggested  the  use  of  sulphuric  ether  to  Dr.  Morton,  invited  him  to  attend  and 
administer  the  ether.  He  declined,  for  two  reasons :  one  was,  that  he  was 
going  out  of  town;  the  other,  that  he  could  not  do  so  consistently  with  his 
arrangements  with  Dr.  Morton.  So  the  first  capital  operation,  under  the  influence 
of  ether,  was  successfully  performed,  Dr.  Jackson  not  yet  thinking  fit  to  attend. 
But  in  a  communication  published  in  the  Boston  Daily  Advertiser  of  March 
1,  1847,  he  says :  *  I  was  desirous  of  testing  the  ether  in  a  capital  operation, 
and  Dr.  Warren  politely  consented  to  have  the  trial  made;  and  its  results 
proved  entirely  satisfactoiy,  an  amputation  having  been  performed,  under  the 
influence  of  the  ethereal  vapor,  without  giving  any  pain  to  the  patient.'  It 
strikes  the  mind  with  some  surprise  that  Dr.  Jackson  should  claim  this  opera- 
tion as  an  experiment  made  by  him,  at  his  request,  and  to  satisfy  himself  of 
the  efficacy  of  the  *  ethereal  vapor'  in  a  capital  operation,  when  the  only  con 
nexion  which  he  had  with  the  operation  was  to  decline  attending  it  when  spe- 
cially invited.  Indeed,  so  entirely  did  he  omit  to  inform  himself  on  the  sub- 
ject of  this  experiment,  which  he  declares  to  be  his,  that  in  the  above  com- 
munication he  names  Dr.  Warren  as  the  surgeon  who  performed  the  operation, 
which  was,  in  fact,  performed  by  Dr.  Hayward. 

"Another  surgical  operation  was  performed  at  the  Bromfield  House  on  the 
Slst  of  November,  the  ether  again  administered  by  Dr.  Morton.     Dr.  Jackson 
was  then  present  for  the  first  time,  on  invitation,  but  merely  as  a  spectator. 
On  the  2d  of  January,  1847,  an  operation  was  performed  in  the  hospital,  when 
Dr.  Jackson  attended,  and  brought  with  him  a  bag  of  oxygen  gas,  to  relieve  I 
tlie  patient  from  asphyxia  in  case  it  should  supervene.     Nothing  of  the  kind    ^ 
occurred,  and  the  gas  was  not  used.     This  is  the  first  and  only  act  of  Dr.  Jack-    i 
son's  made  known  to  your  committee  which  implied  that  he  had  any  duty  to 
perform  in  the  administration  of  the  ether,  or  that  he  rested  under  any  respon- 
sibility as  to  its  effects." 

Among  the  papers  not  heretofore  presented.  Dr.  Jackson  has  brought  before 
yovtr  committee  a  letter  of  George  T.  Dexter,  dated  December  19,  1851,  in 
which  the  writer  states  that  Dr.  Jackson  in  the  year  1842  communicated  to  him 
his  discovery  of  sulphuric  ether  as  an  anaesthetic  agent,  and  spoke  of  it  freely, 
earnestly,  and  confidentially,  as  a  means  of  alleviating  much  hmnan  suffering 
in  surgical  operations ;  that  in  the  winter  of  1842  the  witness  called  on  Dr. 
Jackson  in  his  laboratory,  who  told  him  he  conthiued  his  experiments  with 
sulphuric  ether,  and  that  it  was  likely  to  prove  all  that  he  had  anticipated,  or 
more. 

We  hear  nothing,  however,  from  any  other  quarter  of  continued  experiments 
by  Dr.  Jackson  after  that  of  the  winter  of  lS41-'42.  Dr.  Jackson  himself 
does  not  profess  to  have  made  any. 

There  is  also  a  letter  from  D.  J.  Browne,  who  says  that  in  184o  Dr.  Jackson 
stated  to  him  that  he  had  discovercKl  in  the  vapor  of  pure  sulphuric  ether  a 
preventive  of  pain  in  surgical  operations,  and  that  he  spoke  of  its  effects  in 
such  operations  with  enthusiasm.  To  both  these  gentlemen  he  made  his  com- 
munications in  coniidehcis  and  no  written  statement  of  it  appears  from  either  of 
them  until  December,  1851,  four  years  after  the  discovery  was  a  subject  of 
public  contest,  and  not  until  after  the  scientific  papers  had  been  for  uearly  as  long 
filled  with  the  statements  and  evidence  of  the  conflicting  claimants.  Without 
imputing  any  wilful  alx'rration  from  truth  to  cither  of  tlie  above-named  persons, 
your  committee  think  it  but  just  to  remark  that  their  evidence,  so  far  as  correct- 


DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON.  143 


egs  <  ** ;.  conconicd,  is  entitled  to  much  lo? 

I  .'  the  controversy  wa*  fni^li  and 


ion.     1  !  '  '^    '      ;   '      '      '    ■   '         '  ->*  wiio  iiiis  i«  .-ni  u  .-^ 

f  narti.i'  iii.-*  controversy,  an  :- 

ictii  .    of  tlic  parlii'^  a::  ill,  when  lie  a:  :  > 

ti-  i  relative  to   the  (  urnd  eix   or  •* 

go,  Mend  with  hi.s   recollection  of  it   lln  uts  and  the  <  Ii 

la^  been  four  years  with  it  in  his  mind,  a:  ^- wx^v  the  one  t'  y 

r  BaieUoken  for  the  other.  For  reasons  akin  to  thi^,  th(;  Enf^iisii  courts  of 
hanccry  will  not  pcnuit  a  witness  to  he  examined  in  a  cause  aftrr  publication 
f  tho  evidence.  And,  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  this  evidence  wcijrhs 
(Ut  as  dust  in  the  balancxi  against  the  evi«lenee  growing  out  of  the  acts  and 
missions  of  Dr.  Jackson,  which  your  commiUee  have  already  considered.  Dr. 
ackson  may  have  told  these  persons  all  that  he  wrote  to  M.  Klie  de  Jieaumont 
n  the  13ih  of  November,  1846,  but  even  this  your  committee  think  improbable. 
le  nniy  have  npeated  in  his  own  person  the  -i  >  u;  fions  of  Dr.  Beddoes  and 
>ir  llumphny  Davy,  connected  with  the  cxp'  .      of  Dr.  Townsend.     Dr. 

Veils  did  this,  and  even  more.  This  knowledge  of  these  speculations  had 
•ecome  the  common  possession  of  the  medical  mind,  a  common  highway,  in 
rliich  it  was  not  discovery  to  travel.  And  it  involves  no  improbability  to  sup- 
•ose  that  these  persons  were  mistaken  as  to  the  vxaci  utatcnunt  that  Dr.  Jack- 
on  made  them,  and  tluit  it  is  oolored  and  extended  in  their  letters. 

The  last  deposition  of  Dr.  N.  C.  Keep,  laid  before  the  foi-raer  committ^ic  of  the 
louse  shortly  before  the  coming  in  of  their  report,  shows  what  wild  freaks  feeling 
nd  imagination  sometimes  play  with  human  memory.  He  testifies  iis  follows: 
I  b(  came  associated  in  tlic  business  and  practice  of  dentistry  wiih  Dr.  Mor- 
3U  on  the  2Sth  day  of  November,  in  the  year  1S4G.  On  the  next  day  we  were 
bout  to  prejKire  an  advertisement  f(»r  publication,  when  Dr.  Augustus  A.  Gould 
ailed  .at  our  rooms.  Being  pressed  with  business,  I  requested  him  to  write  the 
dverti?em«'nt.  with  which  nquest  he  complied.  After  ue  had  written  it,  which 
e  did  at  hi.-^  '     "-•',  he  brought  it  to  m(*,  and  we  read  it  '    -.    In  it  the 

I.rcovery  of  I  ^n,  without  any  suggestion   having  1/  •   by  me  to 

lat  effect,  w;ui  ascribed  in  explicit  tenns  to  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackeon.     Dr. 
rould,  pointing  with  his  finger  to  the  words   in    which    this  ascription  was 

pressed,  saitl  to  me  'That  will  please  Jackson.'  I  then  showed  the  advertise 
lent  to  Dr.  ^lorton,  and  we  read  it  together.  He  then  exclaimed  with  empha- 
18,  'That  is  good;  I  like  that;  I'll  take  it  to  the  printer.'  Copies  of  the  adver- 
semeut  were  made  under  the  direction  of  Dr.  Morton,  and,  as  1  8upj)osed  at  the 
me,  without  alteration,  and  published  by  his  order  in  three  evening  newppa- 
ers.  On  seeing  the  advertisement  in  the  Evening  Traveller,  on  the  •  -  i:  :  if 
iC  same  day,  I  was  greatly  surjirised  to  find  that  the  words  which  a-  e 

thci   V  •        :y  to  Dr.  Jack.son  had  been  .-;    ^  '  T"  d 

le  .1  t)f  Dr.  Morton  to  the  fact,  a'  -.> 

ords.    lie  hesitated,  and  seemed  n<'  '  n  : 

tforton,  why  do  you  quarrel  with  ,i  >  .  c 

ic  cause.'     His  reply  was:  'I  wouldn't  if  he  u  aave  him  iie 

redit  of  the  discovery  belongs  to  Dr.  Jackson;  J.i  ».-    i  ^liall  have  lit 

r  it;  I  want  to  make  money  out  of  it.'  . 

**I  stated  the  foregoing  facta  to  my  family  on  the  afon'said   ovenlne.  and 
[terwards  to  other  individuals.     I  have  heretofore 
ig  to  them,  but  consider  that  I  have  no  right,  up*-.,  a  c.wi  ui  .  «.»  ..  .w»Lt„c  aa 

now  made  upon  me,  to  withhold  the  testimony. 


Boston,  Felrruary  8,  1849. 


N.  C.  KEEP. 


• 


««v 


/H^ffi 


144  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

On  this  the  former  committee  remark : 

<'When  tliis  deposition  was  received,  the  chairman  of  your  committee  showTpd ' 
it  to  Dr.  Morton,  who  in  a  few  minutes  brought  to  him  a  bound  book  entitled ' 
'Miscellaneous  Notes.'  On  the  91st  page  was  a  manuscript  in  the  handwriting 
of  Dr.  A.  A.  Gould,  written  evidently  on  the  outside  sheet  of  a  letter  addressed 
to  Dr.  A.  A.  G.,  and  postmarked  'Washington  city,  D.  C,  July  9,'  from  all 
which  it  was  most  manifest  that  this  was  the  original  draft  of  the  advertisement 
testified  to  by  Dr.  Keep.  This  paper,  contrasted  with  the  evidence  of  Dr. 
Keep  as  the  contents  of  an  original  draft,  fixes  in  the  minds  of  your  committee 
the  just  value  of  this  species  of  evidence.     The  paper  is  as  follows : 

"'The  subscribers,  having  associated  themselves  in  the  business  of  dental! 
surgery,  would  respectfully  invite  their  friends  to  call  on  them  at  their  rooms, 
No.  19  Treraont  Row.  They  confidently  believe  that  the  increased  facilities  which, 
their  united  experience  will  afi'ord  them  of  performing  operations  with  elegance 
and  despatch,  and  the  additional  advantage  of  having  them  performed  without 
pain,  by  the  use  of  the  fluid  recently  invented  by  Doctors  Jackson  and  Morton,  i 
will  not  only  meet  the  wishes  of  their  former  patients,  but  secure  to  them  addi- ' 
tional  patronage.' " 

Your  committee  also  examined  the  original  paper,  which  is  the  subject  of  the  '' 
above  deposition,  and  are  satisfied  that  it  has  never  been  altered  by  erasure  or' 
interlineation  since  it  came  from  the  hands  of  Dr.  Gould.  The  entire  narrative, ' 
therefore,  of  Dr.  Keep  that  the  paper  originally  conceded  the  whole  merit  of  the  j 
discovery  to  Dr.  Jackson,  tlic  conversation  relating  to  that,  the  alteration  byf 
Dr.  Morton  before  publication,  the  reproof  given  him  by  the  witness,  and  Dr.  J 
Morton's  reply,  still  insisting  that  the  credit  was  due  to  Dr.  Jackson,  and  that'' 
he  should  have  it,  is  all  shown  to  be  false  from  beginning  to  end — the  mere  crea-  i 
tion  of  an  excited  imngination — not  an  error  in  regard  to  the  force  of  terms,  as  * 
is  probably  the  case  in  the  two  depositions  considered  above,  but  a  statement ' 
which,  by  a  fortunate  reference  made  in  it  to  a  written  paper,  is  proved  to  have ' 
no  foundation  whatsoever  in  tmth. 

Yonr  committee  cannot  better  present  their  views  of  the  mass  of  evidence  | 
filed  before  the  former  committee  of  the  House  than  by  here  embodying  in  its 
connexion  so  much  of  their  report  as  relates  to  it.     They  say : 

"The  testimony  of  Don  P.  Wilson  and  J.  E.  Hunt,  who  were  assistants  in 
Dr.  Morton's  shop  for  a  few  months,  commencing  in  November,  1846,  is  adduced 
to  impeach  the  evidence  of  Leavitt,  Spear,  and  Hayden,  by  their  alleged  declar<> 
tions,  and  the  title  of  Dr.  Morton  to  the  discovery,  by  his  declarations.  This 
is  a  species  of  testimony  against  which  the  books  on  evidence  especially  put  us 
on  our  guard.  It  is  a  sweeping  kind  of  evidence  which  covers  everything,  and 
if  the  imputed  conversation  be  private,  or  if  it  be  general,  (as  he  'often  said,' 
or  'always  said,')  it  is  often  difficult  to  subject  the  evidence  to  the  ordinary 
tests  of  surrounding  circumstances  and  inherent  probability,  so  as  to  fix  its  value. 
There  is  enough,  however,  in  these  depositions  to  show  that  they  are  of  but  little 
weight.  It  is  to  be  remembered,  in  the  first  place,  that  they  are  in  direct  con- 
tradiction to  the  testimony  of  Whitman,  Speaf,  Leavitt,  and  Ilayden,  and  they 
contradict  by  strong  implication  the  tostimony  of  Mr.  Mctcalf  and  ^Ir.  Wight- 
man,  the  character  of  all  and  each  of  whom  is  most  satisfactorily  vouched.  The 
testimony  of  these  two  witnesses  cannot  be  true,  unless  the  first  four  above 
named  entered  into  a  conspiracy  to  carry  a  point  by  perjury;  but,  as  to  them, 
we  have  examined  their  evidence — we  have  tested  it  by  its  agreement  with  sur- 
rounding circumstances — and  we  are  satisfied  of  its  truth. 

*'  This  of  itself  would  be  enough  to  dispose  of  the  testimony  of  Wilson  and 
Hunt ;  but  it  is  proper  to  look  at  the  inherent  character  of  their  evidence. 

"  Wilson,  in  the  commencement  of  his  deposition,  swears,  by  way  of  recital, 
that  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson  was  the  discoverct  of  the  application  of  ether  to 
produce  insensibility  to  pain  in  surgical  operations ;  and,  among  other  things, 


DR     WM.    T.    G.    MORTON.  145 

1        n'^.  '  Mitrtim  first  tiaimrd  thr  dinrorrry  to  be  hu  otm,'  in   Fcbntirv',  Jft47 

I"  ^   V  11. )tliing of  lhf»  loyp»*nepff  and  tot'il  want  of  c^ntiou  with  which  thofnctofth*' 

'  V  if*  r<tatpH — fi  fact  of  which  Mr.  Wilnon  certainly  hnd  no  knowloHp 

— hv  tcstifu'S  directly  Jif^.iinft  the  recorded  fnct    in  the  second  pnrticn- 

1-  I  Dr.   Morton  did  claim  tlie  discovery  hb  early  as    Septemhrr  30.    1846. 

his  claim  whh  given  to  the  world  the  next  day  in  the  public  prints.      Hii 

c.l  litn.  Mil  I  /lu  alone,  W'.i9.  known  mthepurgeons  of  the  hospital  dnrini^  the  month 

of  (Ktiiher,  and  his   public  circnliin*  and  thq  numerous  answers  to  iheni.  which 

ho  ha8  exliibited  to   the  committee,   show  that  durinpj  all   that  time,  and  at  all 

rtmop.  he  claimed  the  discovery  publicly  and  to  tlie  world   as  bin  own.     The 

wirness   goen   on  to  say:  •  In  the  adminintration  of  the  ether  I  wa«  ^niided   by, 

nnd   solely   relied   njmn,  thp   advice  niifl   as«»nr«nce8  «)f  Dr.   Jackson,   received 

ibronph  Morton.       JVrnerrr  dartui  to  fallow  Mortan*.^  mr-n  direr  lion » — and  adds 

that,  if  they  had,  the  consequences  would  probal)ly  have  been  fatal,  and  ether- 

xition  u  failure.     And   further,  that  he  never  knew  Morton  '  to  a j>p/i/   it  to  a 

oatirfif   in   thr  officv.     This  wa«s  from  A  meet  apparent  fear  and  ehunninj^  of 

•c^p-Mi-iUility.' 

Now,  as  to  the  advice  and  apsurances  of  Dr.  Jackson,  alleged  to  have  l)een 

•eceired   from  time  to  time  throufrh    Dr.  Morton,  we  have  no  reason  to  suppose 

hit  any  such   repeated  intercourse  and  communication  took   place  dunn^^  that 

nie,  and  we  have  no  evidence  of  the  actual  fact  of  any  5iich  meeting  and  in- 

trucM<  n.-^.     On  the  contrary,  there  in  evidence  of  nnkind  feelings  existing  on 

^r.  J;icks(in's  part  towards  Dr.  Morton;  and,  in  the  opinion  ttf  your  committee, 

le  testimony  of  Dr.  Keep  indirrctly  contradicts  the  testimony  of  Wilson  on 

at  point,  and  dhcrtly  njion  each  of  the  other   nnint^  last  named.     Dr.  Keep's 

bjcct,  and  the  tendency  of  his  evidence,  is  t  ite  Dr.  Morton  ;  but  for 

ults  the  v<ry  reverse  of  ITioge  with  which   li«-  ..-  « n.  iged  by  Wilson,   namely. 

'rash    rrrkle.simess,*   insteml   of  '  a  most  manifest  f tar  of  reHponaihility^   ir, 

Imini^teriug  the  ether;  and  he  evidently  is  impressed  with  the  belief,  and 

•signs  to  let  it  be  known,   that  the  success  of  etherization  depended   upon  his 

lvi!l  :i:  d  prudence.     He  says,  *tV  7/vzf  Am  {  Mtrrton's)  prartirc  during  that  time 

i  a'iiumistrr  the.  ether  without  any  adequate  provision  for  the  admission  of  at- 

osphiric  air;   and  ichmerer  operations  tcere  -ptrftrrrnvd  hy  other  jternonn  in  the 

^( r  and  under  his  supervision,  he  directed  the  application    in  the  same  way, 

I'o-    (  .  uence  of  which  many  of  the  operatirm?  were   un*^HCcessful,  and  great 

stre^<  and  suflering  were  induced.'     Dr.  Keep  then  rotates  that  he  made  ample 

povision  for  the  admission  of  atmospheric  air,  and  ivl vised  the  assistants  to  do  the 

ime  tiling;  but  'they  being  influenced  by  hi.s  (]\forton'fl)  directions  and  known 

ishes,  did  not  at  all  times  follow  my  advice.'     Not  a  word  is  said  by  Dr.  Keep 

'  any  advice  or  directions  coming  from   Dr.  Jackson,  which,  if  it  had  actually 

curred.  must  have  be^n  known  to  him,  and  would  havo  formed  an  important 

!m  in  the  currect  incidents  of  the  time.     The  evidence  of  these  two  witnrgftes 

md  tliur^  :  They  were   in  the  olEce  of  Dr.  Morton  during  the  Bame  'thirty 

lys' — Keep,  the  superior,  Wilson,  the  a«>siHtant.      Keep  says  Dr.  Morton  wai« 

the  hfsbit  of  administering  the  othfr  in  a  particular  niMimer.  and  that  he  was 

nh  and  rrrllens.     Wilson  say-  never  xv\'  1   it  at  all.  and   that 

was  timid  and  shrank  from  r  Mty.      Hu'  'ons  of  the  hospital 

Tee  with  neither  one  nor  the  o'  .  adrainJBten'dit 

the  hospital  ^/m*e//;  to  th«irei:  -uceess.   Wilson 

ys  the  assistants  in   the  office  would  not  follow  the  dirt*ction8  of  Dr.  Morton, 

;t  relied  upon   such  a^  were  brought  from  Dr.  Jackson.      Keep  says  nothing 

out  instructions  from  Dr.  Jackson,  but  that  tho  assistants  in  th<'  office  were 

duenced  by  the  directions  and  known  wishes  of  Dr.  Morton,  so  that  his  saln- 

y  advice  and  remonstrances  were  often  of  no  avail.     Wilson  says  Dr.  Moru^n 

plained  to  him,  an  assistant  in  his  office,  rery  fally  all  tiie  particulars  of  the 

fj^joovery  and  patent ;  but,  to  Dr.  Ke«p,  hie  partner,  he  extruded  no  such  con 

Rep.  Cora.  89 10 


146  DE.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

fidence.  We  leave  these  two  depositions  to  be  viewed  ^n  their  strong  contrast ; 
and  as  to  the  testimony  of  Don  P.  Wilson,  considering  its  inherent  improba- 
bility, the  suspicious  nature  of  the  species  of  testimony  to  which  ii  belongs,  the 
manner  in  which  it  is  contradicted  directly  and  indirectly  l^y  the  evidence  of 
Dr.  Keep;  and  when  we  further  consider  that  it  is  directly  opposed  to  the 
evidence  of  Whitman,  Spear,  Leavitt,  and  Dr.  Hayden,  and  indirectly  to  that 
of  Metcalf  and  Wightnian,  and  that  it  is  also  in  direct  conflict  with  numerous 
public  printed  cards  and  notices  of  the  day,  we  feel  that  we  cannot  give  it  the 
slightest  weight  or  consideration. 

"  The  testimony  of  John  E.  Hunt  is  subject  to  the  same  objections  with  those 
of  Don  P.  Wilson,  and  other  objections  which  your  committee  will  now  proceed 
to  notice.     In  order  to  bring  out  a  declaration  on  the  part  of  Spear,  that  he  had 
never  taken  ether,  he  represents  him  as  taking  it  one  evening,  and  in  the  excite- 
ment produced  by  it  seizing  upon  a  countryman  present  and  handling  him 
roughly.     The  apology  which  Spear  makes  to  the  countryman  is,  '  this  was  the 
first  time  he  had  ever  taken  the  ether  ;*  not  that  it  was  the  first  time  ether  so  afiected 
him,  or  that  the  rudeness  was  committed  under  the  influence  of  ether,  but  that 
it  was  the  first  time  he  had  ever  taken  the  ether — a  fact  which  had  little  to  do  with  i] 
the  act  of  rudeness,  and  was  a  most  irrelevant  apology.     But  the  inquiry  there-  ji 
upon  made  by  Mr.  Hunt  is  most  remarkably  inconsequent ;  he  having  heard  I 
Spear  say  that  it  was  the  first  time  he  had  ever  taken  ether,  asks  him  if  it  'ever^ 
afiected  him  in  the  same  way  before.*     Now,  if  he  had  been  pre.-sing  Spear  withti 
a  cross-examination  in  order  to  entrap  him  in  some  important  admission,  the  in^* 
quiry  might,  perhaps,  have  been  made ;  but  it  was  then  a  matter  of  no  imporiv-'l 
ance  whatever  whether  Spear  had  breathed  the  vapor  of  ether  or  not,  and  itf 
becomeS^in  the  highest  degree  improbable  that  both  branches  of  the  converse- i 
tion,  so  inconsistent  with  each  other,  actually  occurred;  and  as  the  statemcntl^ 
contradicts  the  testimony  of  so  many  respectable  witnesses,  and  is  in  itself  im-f 
probable,  your  committee  do  not  feel  bound  to  give  it  credence.     Again,  in  a,f'< 
walk  with  Spear,  Hunt  gets  from  him  a  full  disclosure  of  the  discovery,  and  aji^ 
statement  that  it  belonged  to  Dr.  Jackson.     According  to  this,  Dr.  Morton  /got'it 
the  requisite  information  and  instructions  from  Dr.  Jackson,  came  home,  tried  itfj 
on  a  woman,  and  it  worked  first  rate ;  and  he  had  since  then  continued  to  use  ii^ 
lander  the  directions   of  Dr.  Jackson.     The  evidence  shows   that  Spear  wefltp 
knew  that  the  experiment  was  not  tried  on  ft  woman,  but  on  a  man  whose  certifl4> 
eate  was  read  next  day  by  hundreds  m  the  city  of  Boston.     But  the  witness  evi-t 
dently  took  this  part  of  the  story  from  the  narrative  of  Don  P.  Wilson  (who8«' 
deposition  was  taken  on  the  same  day)  about  tlie  refractory  female  patients 
named  in  the  conversation  with  Dr.  Jackson  on  the  30 th  of  September,  who  ytSB^t 
to  be  cheated  with  atmospheric  air  administered  from  a  gas-bag.  T 

"From  among  the  thousands  with  whom  Dr.  Morton  communicated  touchir:: 
this  discovery,  during  the  winter  of  1846  and  1847,  some  six  or  seven,  with' 
whom  he  had  pergonal  controversies,  testify  to  his  admissions  that  he  was  not- 
the  discoverer.     They  differ  as  to  the  degrees  of  directness  and  fulhiess  with' 
which  he  opened  the  matter  to  them,  but  it  will  be  found,  as  your  commit u-t 
believe,  to  be  a  rule  in  this  case,  having  no  exception,  that  the  more  violent  th«f- 
hoBtility  of  the  individual  the  more  fiercely  he  assailed  Dr.  Morton's  patent,  th«! 
more  free  Morton  became  in  his  communication,  and  the  more  fully  did  he  uv 
bo»om  himself;    and  his  statements  always  went  directly  to  defeat  his    ov 
claims  and  support  the  defence  of  the  opponent  to  whom  he  made  it.     For  (  n 
ample,  U.  S.  Payne  says  *  that,  in  the  early  part  of  December,  1S46,  ho  coii> 
meuced  applying  the  vapor  of  ether  to  produce  insensibility  to  pain  in  surgicA 
operations.     This  was  after  I  had  heard  of  the  discovery  of  the  prepaiation  I 
Charles  T.  Jackson,  of  the  city  of  Boston.'     Ho  then  states  that  Dr.  Clark 
ptuchased  of  Dr.  Morton  a  right,  under  the  patent,  for  Rensselaer  and  sever, i 
acyuinhig  counties,  who  sold  to  Dr.  Bordell ;  and  Dr.  Payne  was  notiticd  by  Dr 


DR.   WM     T.   G.   MOKTON.  147 

Bhke,  nf^  111/*  agent  of  Dr.  Morton,  to  abandon  tie  ubc  of  etL.r  in  hid  practkM- 
^^    ~  '"  «"  uttrmpt  at  ncj^otiation  with  Dr.  Bordell  he  went  to  Boiton 

a!i<:  interview  with  Dr.  3Iortou,  who  not  once  only,  but  npeatedly  de- 

chired  that   Dr.  JacJt^'on  waa  the  eole  discoverer ;  •  that  all  the  kiiowled^  he 
HMse.-^.-t^I   in  relaUon  to  its  properties  and  application  came  from   Dr.  Jackson 
md  that  Iw-  never  had  any  idea  of  applying  sulphuric  etluir,  or  tlut  Hulphuric 
ther  could  be  applied  for  the  afore.-aid  purposes  until  Dr.  Jackson  had  enir- 
gested  it  to  him,  and  had  piven  him  full  instructions.'     Thin  mo.-t  frank  com- 
inunicatiou  raises  at  ouce  a  difficulty  about  the  patent,  which  is  obviously  void 
It  that  stiitement  be  true ;  and  Dr.  Morton  attempts  to  remove  it  bv  saviuL'  'that 
b-  bar'  '      r.  very  f  .rtnn.-ite  in  rffeeimg   an  arran-rm.  m  with  Dr.  Jackson  \^. 
fore  any  one  else  hnd  the  opportunity,  and  that  he  waa  the  first  man  to  whom 
^^'■j  ^'"  ^  ^^e  discovery.'     And  he  adds  :  '  Dr.  Morton  aCTin 

^^  ''rT-^'  ,■'■',  "^.^  ^"  ^"^y  ^ay  ^^^  discoverer  of  the  new  appliea- 

IMO  oi  ethrr,  but  that  tiie  idea  had  been  first  commmiicated  to  him  by  Dr  Jaak- 
lOD,  who  was  its  discovorer,  and  that  hia  (Dr.  Morton's)  interest  in  the  patent 
was  merely  a  purchased  one;  and,  moreover,  that  he  was  very  lucky  in  andci- 
jatinj:  all  other  persons  by  first  receiving  eo  precious  a  discovery  from  the  liiw 
)f  Dr.  Jackson.'  ^ 

-After  seeing  the  fiJlneas  and  unreserved  character  of  this  important  coutct- 
tion,  and  the  apparent  earnestness  with  which  Dr.  Mortou  attempts  to  imprwg 
he  fact  that  he  had  no  participation  whatever  in  the  discovery,  not  satisfied  with 
.uffermcr  it  to  escape  him  inadvertently  or  even  stating  it  once,  but  repeatinr  it 
again '  and  •  agam,'  as  if  he  were  anxious  to  impress  it,  one  could  not  but  be  «ir- 
►nsed  to  kn.»w  that  Dr.  1  ^ne,  before  this  convers^uion,  had  pirated 'this  discovery 
lad  set  up  tor  himself,  bade  defiance  to  Dr.  Morton  and  his  assignees,  and  on  hia  li- 
am  hom.'  pubbshed  a  card,  in  which  he  by  no  means  denies  that  Dr.  Mortou  dis- 
oven'd  til.,  thmg  which  he  and  his  assignees  are  using,  but  averring  that  his  (Dr 
a>nie's)  nn.xlyne  vapor,  which  in  his  affidavit  he  admits  to  be  sulphuric  ether 
IS  nut  tin.  invention  of  the  CTcat  Dr.  Morton,  but  an  entirely  superior  artiele' 
nd  all  pnaons  must  beware  how  they  infringe  on  his  rights.'     And  the  more 
specially  is  it  surprising  when  we  reHect  that  this  state  of  facts,  which  Dr  Mor- 
m  took  such  unusual  paina  to  repeat  and  to  impress  upon  this  his  most  det»  rmined 
pponent,  would,  if  ti-ue,  render  the  patent  wholly  void  in  his  bauds,  and  put  hi«^ 
iscovery  entirely  in  the  power  of  Dr.  Pa>Tie  and  all  others  wh.,  bhould  6e«  fit 
>  avail  th.  mselvea  of  iL     ITiere  can  be  no  absolute  proof  that  Dr.  Morton  did 
A  make  these  statements,  but  it  is  clear  that  it  was  against  his  interest  to 
lake  them ;  and  there  is  also  fiiU  i.roof  that  they  are  not  true,  and  that  they 
-e  in  direct  oppositK.n    to   his  numerous  printed  and  published  statement^ 
Ijey  are  not  true;  for,  besides  the  six  witnesses  who  testify  directly  or  indi- 
jctly  to  the  discovery  in  its  inception  and  progress,  it  distinctly  conflicts  ^ith 
le  conv.  r^ation  of  the  parties  and  th^ir  mutual  understanding  on  the  26th  and 
rth  of  October,  as  testified  to  by  K.  II.  Eddy.     It  is  in  direct  conflict  with  the 
aim  promulgated  by  Dr.  Morton,  and  received  and  accredited  by  the  scientific 
mtlemeii  m  the  medical  hospital  who  performed  the  operations  testinjr  ibe 
acacy  of  the  discovery.  ^ 

*  Dr.  Warren  says : 

**  'Boston,  January  6,  1847. 
-  'I  hereby  declare  and  certify,  to  the  be^  of  my  knowledge  and  recollection, 
Bt  1  never  heard  oi  tlie  use  of  sulphuric  ether  by  inhalation,  as  a  meant  of 
eventing  the  pauis  in  surgical  operations,  until  it  was  suggested  by  Dr  W  J' 
Mortou  in  the  latter  pan  of  October,  1846.' 

"  Since  the  aboTC  date  the  whole  surgical  staff  of  the  hospital  have  teatifiW  ic 
^  same  efiect 


148  DE.    WM.    T.    G.   MOETOy. 

"And  alike  opposed  to  all  the  numerous  printed  circulars  wMch  Dr.  Morton 
and  Ills  agents  had  distributed  and  were  then  distributing  in  every  part  of  the 
United  States.  It  appears  that  prior  to  this  date  Dr.  Morton's  attention  had 
been  called  to  an  opposing  claim  to  the  discovery,  and  to  the  experiments  at  the 
hcjtipltal,  aud  he  had  taken  a  decided  public  stand  against  them,  as  witness  his 
circular  published  the  20th  day  of  November,  1846,  and  the  note  thereto 
attached : 

**  'Dental  operations  tintheut  pain. 

"  *  Boston,  November  20,  1846. 

*  'Dr.  Morton  has  made  a  great  improvement  in  dental  and  surgical  opera- 
tianjB,  for  which  letters  patent  have  been  granted  by  the  government  of  the 
Umted  States,  and  to  secure  which  measures  have  been  taken  in  foreign  nations 

"  •  Having  completed  the  necessary  preparations  for  the  purpose,  and  greatly 
enlarged  his  establishment,  Dr.  Morton  respectfully  announces  to  liis  friends  anc 
the  public  that  he  is  now  ready  to  afford  every  accommodation  to  persons  re 
quiring  dental  operations. 

"  His  af-si Slants  and  apartments  are  so  numerous,  and  his  entire  arrange, 
meats  on  t?o  superior  a  scale,  that  immediate  and  the  best  attention  can  be  giveij 
to  every  case  and  in  every  branch  of  his  profession. 

"  '•  The  success  of  this  improvement  has  exceeded  the  most  sanguine  expect* 
tions,  not  only  of  himself  and  patients,  but  of  the  very  skilful  and  distinguishec 
suigeons  who  have  performed  operations  with  it  at  the  Massachusetts  Genera 
Hospital.  an(f  other  places  in  Boston,  or  witnessed  its  use  at  his  office,  room 
No.  19  Tremont  row. 

''  '*^*  Inasmuch  as  one  or  two  persons  have  presumed  to  advertise  my  im 
provement  as  then-  own,  and  even  issued  notices  to  the  effect  that  the  applica 
tions  of  it  at  the  hospital,  were  made  by  them,  and  that  the  certificates  of  it 
efficacy  and  value  were  given  to  them  by  the  surgeons  of  that  institution,  I  fe< 
it  my  duty  to  warn  th^^  public  against  such  false  and  unwarrantable  statementi 
and  at  the  same  time  to  caution  all  persons  against  making,  aiding,  or  abettin< 
in  any  infnngement  of  my  rights,  if  they  would  avoid  the  trouble  and  cost  < 
proeecutions  and  damages  at  law.' 

"  And  your  committee  do  not  think  it  credible  that  Dr.  Morton,  resting  hi 
cla.'ms  to  th^-  discovery  on  the  grounds  which  he  did — having  a  most  decide 
public  opinion  at  home  in  his  favor  as  the  discoverer,  having  freshly  tasted  i 
the  intoxicating  dr;mghi  of  fame,  and  recently,  in  the  public  papers  and  in  cii 
culnrs,  as.«erted  his  authorship  of  the  discovery  and  defied  his  rivals — they  d 
not  think  it  credible  that  he  should  seize  the  first  occasion  which  offered,  in  c-^' 
versation  with  a  most  determined  opponent,  to  declare  the  falsehood  of  all  tl,, 
he  had  written,  published,  and  claimed — to  disclaim  the  honor  which  the  worll  \ 
8(v  generally  and  freely  accorded  to  him — confess  away  all  his  pecuniary  righij ,' 
under  the  patent,  and  even  support  his  surrender,  disclaimer,  and  sacrifice  by 
pelf-d<4)a«ing  assertion  which  he  well  knew  was  false.     The  improbability  is  tc,  ^, 
strong  to  allfw  it  credit. 

*'  But  Dr.  Payne  says  that  in  the  early  part  of  December,  1846,  he  commend 
hia  operations  with  sulphuric  ether,  and  that  this  was  after  he  bad  heard  of  tl 
di8C»  very  of  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  of  Boston.  How  he  heard  of  the  di 
covery  of  Dr.  Jackson  he  does  not  say;  surely  not  by  the  information  of  tl 
scientific  men  of  Boston,  for  they  attributed  the  discovery  to  Dr.  Morton;  4 
by  the  public  prints,  cards,  and  advertisements,  for  the  name  of  Dr.  Mort| 
alone  O])poared  there;  and  lie  says,  in  conclusion,  that  he  was  very  much  astd 
iflhed  in  learning,  some  time  after  his  visit  to  Boston,  that  Dr.  Morton  *  asserti 
any  claim  whatever'  to  the  discovery,  and  this,  after  the  publication  and  circf 
lation  of  the  notices,  cards,  and  circulars  of  Dr.  Morton,  and  after  the  witne 


DR.   WM.   T.   a.   MORTON.  149 

loD^  been  engaged  in  an  embittered  coDteiit  with  Dr.  Morton  and  Ui«  tm- 
!    '     publication  of  bis  (Dr.  Payne's)  curd.* 

irk<',  who  also  testifies  to  admissions  by  Dr.  Morton,  but  uach 

I  Dr.  Payne,  and  whose  stiitemcnt  may  well  be  the  result  of  a 

^.  nuide  the  more  decided  by  hostility  to  Dr.  Morton,  and  a 

.41  his  patent,  was  the  j)nrehaser  of  a  right,  for  whieh  In-  gave  his 

'0.     Ue  at  length  drtennincrd  not  to  pay  the  note,  but  to  join  in 

conte.-ting  the  piitent,  and  he  exj)n-sses  the  opinion  that,  by  keeping  up  the 

controverpy  for  one  year,  the  patent  would   be  broken   down.     Dr.  131ai.-dell 

pays:  'Clarke  would  not  pay  you,  for  he  could  get  the  use  of  the  leth«  on  for 

one  year  betbre  you  could  get  the  license  from  them,  and  by  that  time  they 

could  ruin  the  sale  of  it  there;*  and  he  might  well  have  added,  and  with  it  the 

discoveirr;    a  very  common  fortune  to  men  who  render  the  mont  important 

Bervices  to  their  race. 

"  Time,  and  the  reasouiible  limits  of  a  report,  will  not  allow  your  committee 
to  dwell  upon  the  few  remaining  items  of  kindred  testimony.  The  weight  and 
strength  of  them  have  been  considered;  and  the  residue,  like  them,  are  composed 
of  allcgi'd  statements  by  Dr.  Morton  to  pennons  with  whom  he  then  h>id,  or 
ha:?  since  had,  personal  controversic.-*  touching  his  discover}-,  and  they  an;  all 
in  contradiction  to  the  claimd  which  Dr.  Morton  daily  promulgated  in  print  to 
the  World.  Those  printed  papei*s  are,  as  your  committee  conceive,  the  beat 
evidence  of  what  Dr.  Morton  all  that  time  claimed,  and  what  he  conceded ; 
they  are  of  the  time  and  of  the  transaction;  they  do  not  admit  of  misstatement, 
misconstrnction,  or  falsification;  they  ace  of  unvarjMug  and  exact  memory;  and 
ihey  8p«'ak  tin*  language  of  undoubted  truth  us  to  the  claims,  though  not  aa  to 
the  rigku  of  the  author.  His  claims,  contemporaneous  with  these  papers,  are 
what  these  witnesses  attack.  Uis  rights  we  have  already  considered;  and, 
as  to  the  evidence  of  his  claims,  that  which  he  insisted  and  said  was  his,  the 
publ'shed  papirs  st«\nd  against  the  testimony  of  these  witnesses,  as  writ  ton  or 
printed  evidence  again.^t  parol.  His  alleged  confessions,  made  under  tin*  most 
nnpiobable  circumstjmces.  are  in  direct  contradiction  to  his  printed  circulars, 
dady  and  contemporaneou^sly  promulgated  to  the  world.  If,  then,  th»  sr  all«'ged 
])arol  admissions  stood  against  the  printed  and  published  papers,  without  any- 
thing beside  to  add  strength  to  cither,  we  could  not,  in  our  couscit^ncc,  in 
weighing  the  conduct  of  men  by  rational  probabilities,  heaitat"-  to  give  the 
decided  preponderance  to  the  printed  over  the  parol  evidence.  But  the  parol 
evidence  runs  counter  to  all  the  leading  facts  in  the  ca.se  heretofore  considered 
and  established  in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  by  the  rao^t  indubitable  proof, 
while  the  printed  circulars  and  notices  entirely  agree  with  them,  and  make  with 
I  hem  one  uniform  and  consistent  whole.  The  objects  of  the  piirlies,  th»ir  cbiims, 
their  efforts,  their  purposes  appear  the  same  throughout.     The  dep  i" A. 

IMaisdell  is,  however,  worthy  of  especial  comment.     At  the  time  h<    ,  s  to 

have  had  the  conversiition  in  which  Dr.  Morton  accords  all  the  nu  rit  of  the 
discovery  to  Dr.  Jackson,  he  was  the  agent  of  Dr.  Morton,  spreading  his 
circulars  throughout  the  land;  li.id  taken  care  to  send  one  of  them  to  each  and 
every  surgeon  dentist  in  New  York;  and  yet  now  declares  that  he  was  especially 

^  "NoncB. — Dr.  Pa}*ne  has  jufft  rt'tumed  from  Boston,  and  h.is  only  time  now  to  ^ve 

uotice  to  Lis  friends  and  the  public  that  in  a  d  »y  or  two  hf  will  l>c  able  to  ^b^JW  to  the 
public  that  the  anodyne  vapor  which  he  has  u.scd  is  not  the  iuveuiiou  uf  tb.-  great  Dr. 
Morton,  but  an  entirely  superior  article,  and  th/U  he  ^all  continue  to  ».<«  it.  And  all  penioQg 
niu.-<t  beware  how  they  infringe  on  his  rigl)t«>."  Extract  of  a  letter  of  Mr.  K.  Fillej, 
attorney  of  Dr  A.  Clarke,  of  Laiu-ingburg,  New  York,  to  Dr  Mo  ton  s  atioru.  y  ol  IU>rNton  : 
"  As  one  Dr.  H  J.  Payne,  dentist  of  the  city  of  Troy,  persiotis  in  the  use  of  th<-  u{)p.ir«ktui} 
sind  gas.  and  prochums    ;  "  I)  Dr.  Morton  and  any  of  hiii  assigns.  Dr.  CIark«-  is  «.om- 

pleb'ly  thw.xrUK!  in  h  .t  of  the   righta  secured  to  him  by  Dr.  Morton.     The 

cuuduct  of  Dr  Payno  is  ^.  i.i.m.uly  annoying." 


150  DR.   WM.   T.    G.   MORTON 

cliarged  with  the  information  which  he  takes  care  to  inculcate,  that  these 
circulara  were  all  false  in  the  mo»l  material  point,  and  that  the  patent  which 
he  is  selling  is  void  by  reason  of  that  falsehood.*  He  was  at  the  same  time  in 
habits  of  almost  daily  correspondence  with  Dr.  Morton;  and  the  difficulties 
which  he  mot  with  occurred  while  he  was  absent,  and  it  would  most  naturally 
have  suggested  itself  to  him  to  communicate  them  to  Dr.  Morton  by  letter,  and 
in  that  way  get  his  assent  to  obviate  them  by  declaring  Dr.  Jackson  the  sole 
discoverer.  But  he  does  not  do  so ;  if  he  had,  his  letter  and  Dr.  Morton's  answer 
would  have  been  in  writing;  and,  then,  if  there  truth  were  in  the  statement 
of  those  alleged  admissions,  there  would  have  been  one  item  of  written  evidence 
to  support  them.  But  this  is  wholly  wanting.  Blaisdell  professes  to  have 
waited  till  his  return  to  Boston,  and  then  to  have  held  a  private  conversation 
with  Dr.  Morton,  who  at  once  and  eagerly  admitted  away  his  whole  claim,  both 
to  money  and  reputation. 

"  It  is  remarkable  that,  in  more  than  three  months,  during  all  which  time 
these  witnesses  say  Dr.  Morton  conceded  to  Dr.  Jackson  to  merit  of  being  the 
'sole  discoverer,'  during  all  which  time  he  was  daily  writing  and  almost  daily 
publishing,  there  is  not  produced  one  line  written  by  Dr.  Morton,  or  written  to 
him,  countenancing  the  idea;  nor  is  there  one  act  of  his  which  looks  to  such 
admission.  A  written  admission,  or  an  ambiguous  paragi'aph  in  writing,  which 
couli  be  fairly  construed  into  an  admission,  or  a  letter  written  to  him  during 
that  time,  which  could  be  reasonably  construed  to  refer  to  such  admission, 
would  be  tenfold  the  value  of  all  the  parol  testimony  now  presented  of  those 
admissions.  Dr.  Morton  has  shown  to  the  committee  several  bound  volumes  of 
letters  addressed  to  him  upon  this  subject,  all  of  which  recognize  him  as  the 
discoverer.  Viewing  these  statements  in  this  point  of  light,  comparing  them 
with  the  printed  and  published  papers,!  in  which  Dr.  Morton  contemporaneously 
and  continually  asserted  his  claims  to  the  discovery,  and  finding  them  opposed, 
as  they  are,  to  the  well-settled  facts  of  the  case  already  considered,  they  weigh, 
in  our  opinion,  as  dust  in  the  balance,  and  in  nowise  affect  the  well-settled 
facts  of  the  case."  f 

^■'Extract  frtjm  A  BlaisdelV  s  letter  to  Dr.  Morton,  dated  Nno  York,  Deamher  29,  1846. — "lam 
sending  one  of  yonr  circulars  to  every  dentist  in  New  York." 

Ntw  York,  Deamher  31,  184-6  — "I  have  sent  a  circular  to  every  dentist  in  New  York 
city,  and  written  on  the  cover  where  I  am  to  be  foand." 

In  a  letter  from  Pittsburg,  dated  February  1,  184  7,  he  writes:  «*  I  gave  him  a  few  cir- 
culars U)  givo  his  neighbors."     Remarks  to  the  same  effect  occur  in  other  letters. 

October  26,  1H46  — '•  Dr.  Morton  has  discovered  a  compound,  by  inhaling  which  a  person 
is  thrown  into  a  sound  sleep,  and  rendered  insensible  to  pain,"  &c. 

t  "  To  TUB  PUBLIC .  —  Or.  Morton,  surgeon  dentist,  No.  19  Tremont  row,  Boston,  hereby 
gives  public  notice  that  letters  patent  have  been  granted  him  by  the  government  of  the 
United  States  for  his  improvement,  whereby  pain  may  be  prevented  in  dental  and  surgical 
opetstions." — (Boston  Evening  Tianscript,  November  20,  1846.) 

"Important  information  for  tub  public  at  large. — I  do  hereby  give  thi?  public  notice, 
and  warn  till  persons  agiiinst  using  my  invention."  "I  am  particularly  desirous  that  my  in- 
dention should  not  be  abused  or  intrusted  to  ignorant  or  irupropor  hands,  or  applied  to 
n<'tariou8  pur[)OHefl."  "New  York  Express,  Baltimore  Patriot,  United  States  (Philadelphia) 
G;izotto,  will  plea«e  insert  the  above  twice  every  week  for  four  weeks,  and  send  their  bills 
i<;  this  office."— (In  same  paper,  December  4,  1846  ) 

Jin  answer  to  a  communication  by  Dr.  J,  F.  Flagg.  in  which  he  threatens  to  tak* 
posseshion  of  the  invention,  and  in  which  lie  attributes  the  credit  of  it,  if  there  wap  any, 
to  Dr.  (J  T.  Jackson,  Dr.  Morton  says  :  "  Unless  ho  can  show— and  I  do  n(it  know  anybody 
else  that  can—  that  (to  use  his  own  words)  it  has  been  known  and  publi.-«hed  lor  some  years 
that  the  vapor  of  snlphnric  ether  would  produce  the  visible  eficcts  now  said  to  be  discovered, 
then  the  invention  is  «)ritririal  "  — flJoston  Eveniug  Transcript,  Dwember  10,  1846  ) 

In   a   letter   from  Dr.  W(Mls  (Postoii  Post,  April,  1847,)  he  makes  the  following  extract 
from  Dr.  Mort<m'K  htter  to  hini  in  the  early  part  of  October,  1846  :   "The  letter  which  is 
thus  introflnced  willi  my  signature  wan  written  in  answer  to  one  which  I  received  from  Dr. 
.  Morton,  who  representLd  to  mc  that  he  had  discovered  a  compouml." 


DB.   WM.   T.    0.   MORTON.  161 

**  It  may  bo  irvetevant  to  remark  that  there  ia  not,  in  all  tliis  roaAs  of  dcpoBl- 
tions  aiul  l»'ti<Tj*,  any  ci)nt(Miiporan<'oai»  writton  paper  9uj)portin^  Dr.  Jackson's 
claim  Ui  the  tliscQvery,  or  impugrniupj  Dr.  Morton't* — all  is  parol.  Dnchinitinnn 
vuidi  by  Dr.  .Facksoii  at».>*<Ttinp  the  claim,  and  declarations  madohy  Dr.  Morton, 
♦-veu  in  llie  heat  <»1'  the  controversy,  to  his  most  violent  rnomies,  al)an(lonin{r  his 
claims  and  eurrenderiug  thorn  to  Dr.  Jackson.  Bnt  no  written  paj)t^r  stiPfaininj^ 
cither.  And  uhere  in  two  instances  the  Ftatemeiit  of  Dr.  .Jackson  tonchfts  a 
paper  written  or  .-ij^ned  by  himself,  he  repndiates  them  as  false,  and  a.«»  obtained 
by  circumvention  and  fraud;  because,  if  true,  they  disprove  his  claim.  And  in 
the  inetancce  in  which  the  testimony  of  his  witnesses,  testifyinj;  to  the  admw- 
aions  and  abandonment  of  Dr.  Morton,  can  bo  directly  tested  l»y  written  pjipers, 
they  are  tlun by  in  every  inst:ince  proved  to  be  false.  Yonr  committee  con- 
sider that  ppecics  of  parol  evidence,  made  up  of  alleg^nd  declarations  of  the 
parties  merely,  unsupported  by  a  single  written  paper,  but  contradicted  by  every- 
thing in  writing  which  th^y  touch,  entitled  to  no  weight  whatever,  against  the 
Well  known  and  fidly  admitted  acts  of  the  parties  in  this  case. 

Of  Dr.  Jacksoii'H  acts,  while  the  surgeons  of  the  principal  curativo  institu- 
tion in  New  England — the  MLassachusetts  Creneral  Hos})ital — Averc  applying  the 
critical  Uat  to  a  diacovery  which  he  now  claims  as  his  own,  the  committee  have 
before  them  new  evideiue  in  the  following  letter,  upon  which  they  forbear  to 
comment  further  than  to  remark  how  decidedly  it  confirms  the  conclusions  at 
which  they  have  already  arrived. 

Dr.  Henry  J.  Bigelow,  professor  in  Harvard  University,  and  surgeon  in  the 
Massachusetts  General  Hospital,  in  answer  to  a  letter  of  the  I  Ton.  (roov^o  T. 
Davis,  says  : 

"Boston,  February  5,  1852. 

•*Drar  Sir:  I  beg  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yonr  letter,  dated  January 
21,  addressed  to  Dr.  Uayward,  Dr.  Towuseud,  and  myself,  and  containing  the 
following  extract  from  a  written  remonstrance  of  Dr.  Charles  T.  Jackson,  which 
has  been  laid  before  a  committee  of  the  House  of  Kepresentatives  : 

"'The  cause  of  asphyxia,  so  commonly  produced  in  the  early  administration 
of  ether  at  the  ^^fassachu-setts  General  Hospital,  I  traced  directly  to  the  employ- 
ment of  those  valved  inhalers.  In  the  weakened  state  of  respiratory  action, 
under  ana?stJierie  agents,  the  valves  are  not  raised  in  attempts  to  breathe,  and 
the  patient  is  drowned  by  the  pure  ether  or  cldoroform  vapor.  Oti  the  removal 
of  the  valve  by  my  directions,  asphyxia  at  once  ceased  to  occur  at  the  hospital, 
and  I  had  no  occasion  to  employ  the  oxygen  gas  to  revive  the  patients,  as  I  was 
requested  to  do  by  one  of  the  eminent  surgeons  of  that  institution ;  for  no  as- 
phyxia hapiienod  after  my  advice  was  followed,  to  throw  a.sidc  the  inhalers  and 
use  til' 

"In  _  as  you  request  *a  precise  recollection  of  facts  upon  these  points 

so  far  as  th.y  tell  tinder  my  personal  observation,'  1  may  say  tnat,  to  the  best 
of  my  knowledge,  being  very  familiar  with  those  ••tIv  .  vT^nr^M^i.tj  r.f  tl,..  ],o8- 
pital,  generally  administering  the  ether  myself: 

"  Ist.  There  was  no  more  asphyxia  then  from  ether  than  there  is  now. 

•*  2d.  There  was  certainly  no  period  at  which  asphyxia  at  once  ceased  to 
occur  at  the  hospital. 

**  3d.  This  alleged  asphyxia  had  little  or  no  connexion  with  any  valves. 

•*  4th.  I  never  heard  that  any  valves  were  suppressed,  nor  that  Dr.  Jackson 
suppressed  them. 

*'  5th.  Asphyxia,  as  it  then  occurred,  was  of  no  great  importance,  and  was 
dependent  upon  the  same  causes  which  sometimes  produce  it  now. 

"  6th.  When  Dr.  Jackson  brought  oxygen  gas  to  the  hospital  nobody  required 


152  Dfi.   WM.   T.   a.   MORTON. 

it ;  it  was  Dot  used,  nor  has  it  been,  to  toy  knowledge,  anywhere  since  used  in 
this  connexion. 

*'  In  reply  to  your  inquiry  how  far  Dr.  Jackson  personally  superintended  the 
early  administration  of  ether  at  the  hospital,  I  answer  ?ioi  at  all.  He  not  only 
exercised  no  superintendence  at  the  hospital,  assumed  no  responsibility,  but 
actually  did  not  come  there  for  more  than  two  months  after  ether  was  regularly 
in  use  in  that  institution* 

"  I  will  venture  to  allude  to  another  point,  which  is  of  no  importance  to  any- 
body but  myself.  Yet  it  directly  concerns  me,  and  I  should  be  glad  of  an 
opportunity  to  refer  to  it,  in  order  to  refute  certain  statements  of  Dr.  Jackson. 
In  a  part  of  his  '  remonstrance,'  Dr.  Jackson  Uses,  as  I  am  informed,  the  fol- 
lowing words : 

" '  The  few  medical  gentlemen,  or  young  surgeons,  connected  with  the  hos- 
pital, who  have  not  fully  recognized  my  rights  in  this  discovery,  are,  I  lament 
to  say  it,  anxious  to  obtain  a  larger  share  of  the  glory  than  rightfully  belongs 
to  them ;  and  one  of  themt         *  *  *        #  #  #  #  « 

"  ♦  Dr.  H.  J.  Bigelow  very  distinctly  claims  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to 
promulgate  this  great  discovery,  the  first  to  make  the  profession  acquainted 
with  it,  he  having  stealthily  published  my  discovery  before  I  was  ready  to  lay 
it  before  the  public,  and  while  t  was  temporarily  absent  from  the  city,  by  read- 
ing an  account  of  it  before  two  societies  of  which  I  was  and  am  now  a  mem- 
ber— the  Boston  Society  for  Medical  Improvement  and  the  American  Academy 
of  Arts  and  Sciences — and  afterwards  published  his  paper  in  the  Boston  Medical 
and  Surgical  Journal,  against  my  solemn  protest  and  denunciation  of  it  as  false, 
unjust,  and  quackish.  In  that  paper,  a  copy  of  the  Journal  containing  which  I 
send  to  you,  please  observe  that  the  nature  of  the  agent  used  is  carefully  con- 
cealed, and  hence  it  is  a  mere  quack  advertisement.' 

"  The  paper  above  alluded  to  was  the  first  paper  upon  the  newly-discovered 
efi'ects  of  ether.  It  was  intended  by  Dr.  Morton,  and  did  happen  to  be  the 
instrument  by  which  the  discovery  was  announced  to  the  profession  and  the 
world  at  large,  both  in  this  country,  where  it  was  attacked  by  the  incredulous, 
and  in  Europe,  where  it  was  widely  reprinted. 

"  This  paper,J  to  quote  a  contemporary  publication,  was  intended  to  be  a  nar- 
ration of  physiological  facts  observed  by  myself,  with  a  few  concluding  remarks 
connected  with  the  patent  right.  It  was  published  more  than  five  years  ago, 
and  those  objections  of  Dr.  Jackson's  are  now  to  me  altogether  new,  and  I 
believe  they  arc  also  new  to  everybody  else. 

"It  will  only  be  necessary  to  state,  in  reply:  1st.  That  Dr.  Jackson  could  not 
at  that  time,  for  the  want  of  the  requisite  facts,  have  himself  written  this  physi- 
ological paper.  In  fact,  that  nothing  but  his  present  assertion  shows  that  he 
had  either  the  intention  or  desire  to  do  it,  and  that  there  was  no  reason  what- 
ever to  consult  him  either  in  reading  or  writing  the  paper,  or  to  suppose  that 
he  wished  to  be  consulted. 

*'  2d.  That  he  read  the  paper  before  it  was  printed,  and  assented  to  its  publica- 
tion in  print. 

"  1.  One  thitig  is  very  striking,  Dr.  Jackson  never  saw  a  single  surgical  or 
dental  operation  with  ether  until  long  after  it  was  a  confirmed  discovery,  and 
until  weeks,  if  not  months,  after  this  paper  was  piinted.  As  this  paper  was  an 
account  of  the  woav  pliysiological'efiVcts  of  ether,  observed  in  Dr.  Morton's  and 
other  experiments,  Dr.  Jackson,  who  saw  none  of  these  experiments,  wouhl 
hav(;  been  unabh;  to  have  made  any  communication  to  a  society  upon  this  point, 
even  if  he  had  wished  to,  for  the  simple  reason  that  for  two  months  he  had  not 

<*  Sl'O  Df.  Townsetld,  p.  355. 

f  A  part  of  the  arj^uiiieut  hero  is  a  little  loose  and  id  omitted. 

:f  liohioa  Medical  and  Surgical  Journal,  December,  1846. 


h  DB*  WH    T.   0.   MORTOH.  153 


f 


e  requisite  materials,  but  Dobody  will  now  believe  that  he  wish«d  to  makt 
y  8ucli  comninuicatiou ;  he  had,  accoriliu«:  to  hid  own  t«tatcujcut,  ke[>t  the 
»•  r  from  the  pul)lic  tor  years,  and  wc  may  rea.sonably  iulcr  that  he  would 
done  »o  till  lhi8  day,  it'  the  di.scloaure  Iiud  bceu  lel't  to  htm.  And  it  id 
1  known  that  he  kept  aloot  lor  a  lonjj;  tini«  from  any  public  connexion  with 
>i  .Morton  or  with  ether,  while  physiological  papern  were  writteu  by  the  do^u 
y  other  peopU-.  without  any  objictiou  on  his  part. 

I  should  have  been  certainly  inogt  happy  t»)  have  consulted  Dr.  Juckoou 
md  I  any  idea  that,  :i8  he  now  pretends^,  he  de^ired  it;  but  even  if  I  hud  done 
o,  it  i»  plain  that  he  eoidd  have  given  me  no  information  upon  the  bubject 
f  hieh  was  under  invcstifcalion,  for  he  Imd  no  control  whatever  over  Dr.  Mor- 
onV  experiment.*! ;  hi*  had  never  Been  them,  nor  hail  he  any  authority  to  make 
ise  of  ilu'm  if  he  had  seen  them.  The  paper  alluded  to  Wiw  not  designed  to 
»romult;ate  old  theory  nor  the  suspicious  of  two  ytyirs'  standlu{^,  which  Dr. 
laeksion  claims,  but  new  facts,  and  for  these  I  applied  to  Dr.  Murton.  He  in- 
tituttd  the  expcrimentx ;  he  had  their  sole  control;  kt  took  the  responsibility  of 
hrm.  while  Dr.  Jackson  kept  out  of  the  way. 

The  application  of  ether  for  Huiejithetic  purpo!?es  wad  at  that  time  suppo<»ed 
y  everybody  to  be  wholly  iu  the  handt^  of  Dr.  Morton.  Dr.  Murton,  thi-ough 
he  intervention  of  a  friead  of  his,  who  wa8  al.so  a  friend  of  my  own,  allowed 
le  to  take  noted  of  these  experimentd  for  publication,  and,  ad  far  as  1  know,  I 
fh^  lilt-  first  person  not  connected  with  Dr.  Morton'd  office,  except  Dr.  Gould, 
ho  saw  tin  se  experimentd. 

••  As  to  Dr.  Jackpou'd  knowledge  of  the  cases  at  the  hospital,  which  are  aldo 
etidled  in  my  paper.  Dr.  Jackson  did  not  come  there  till  January  2,  of  the 
ear  alter  they  occurred. 

2.  When  this  pajn-r  was  to  be  printed,  a  new  element  was  to  be  introduced 
ito  it  at  the  reqmst  of  Dr.  Morton;  the  question  of  patent,  a  delicate  subject 
nady  m«>oted  by  the  interested  parties,  and  about  which  it  was  obvioubly 
mper  that  Dr.  Jackson,  who  wad  intt  rested  in  it,  should  be  consulted.  Though 
e  miirlit  not  care  who  prosecuted  or  announced  the  physiological  experimciild, 
le  muter  (»f  patent  was  plainly  a  ditfcrent  question. 
"  I  tin  refore  sought  an  interview  with  Dr.  Jackson,  at  hid  houf^e,  son  «  '  — '. 
ailii  .r  li)  find  him,  1  left  for  him  a  verbal  request  that  he  would  b*-  ,  it 

final  euiiference  at  the  house  of  Dr.  Cioidd,  where  the  paper  was  to  bo  U.aily 
:)nsiilrn  d  and  adjudted  before  being  printed,  especially  the  few  closing  paia 
raj  (lis,  then  for  the  first  time  appended  to  it,  and  relating  to  the  (question  of 
atrnt. 

During  this  conference  the  door  ^  ■:  open,  and  Dr.  Jackson  entered, 

e<laiining  vociferously,     lie  was  qu;  .  d  what  might  be  the  occadion  of 

is  excitement,  and  was  requested  to  read  the  paper  then  upon  the  table  and 
nder  discussion,  and  to  see  whether  he  did  or  did  not  approve  it.  Dr.  Jackson 
Kamined  the  paper,  and  tinding  it  to  be  of  a  strictly  physiohigicul  character, 
mchini^  very  lightly  the  questions  of  ])att  ut  and  of  discovery,  he  changed  his 
me,  (••  .i.»ed  to  object,  requested  one  or  more  aherations  of  the  part  bearing 
pon  tlnsc  latter  questions.  !lv  the   sii!  .  of  a  paper  i*elating  to 

/  eketric  telegraph,  and  <■  ■>  the  jrub  /the  paper. 

"This  took  place  at  the  liou^c  ut  Dr.  (iould,  m  iremont  street,  on  Sunday 
/^ening,  threw  days  before  the  publication  referred  to,  an<l  in  the  presence  of 
r.  (^)uhl,  Mr.  Eddy,  and  Dr.  M«>rton.  Dr.  Jackson  assented  to  the  pul  i 
on  of  the  paper  as  it  then  stood,  and  the  conference  wad  amicably  termii.  ^  i. 
"This  statement,  together  with  the  accompanying  letters  of  Dr.  (n»ul«l  and 
r.  P^dily,  stating  their  recollection  of  th«;  tacts,  may  be  compared  with  the 
)ove  extract  from  Dr.  Jackson's  remonstrance. 
**  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  verv  re.-in.Tttiillv.  yonr  obe<lient  servant, 

"HENRY  J.  BIGELOWJ*,f 


e  of  itjj 
lin,  Di{ 


154  DR.   WM.    T.    G.   MORTON.  * 

Dr.  Jackson,  in  his  letter  to  Baron  Von  Humboldt,  says  : 

"  I  at  once  appealed  to  the  public,  destroyed  the  bond  given  me  by  Mr.  Mor- 
ton, and  made  the  use  of  ether  in  surgical  operations  free  to  all  mankind." 

The  transaction  of  destroying  the  hond  is  somewhat  ludicrous. 

On  the  morning  of  the  26ih  May,  1847,  more  than  five  months  after  tlw 
patent  had  been  taken  out,  after  it  had  for  some  time  become  unavailable,  and 
Dr.  Morton  had  lost  a  good  deal  of  money  by  it,  Dr.  Gay  called  at  Dr.  Morton'g 
office,  with  a  young  gentleman  in  his  company,  and  somewhat  dramatically 
cancelled  the  bond.  Tliis  was  the  bond  that  secured  to  Dr.  Jackson  ten  pei 
cent,  on  the  net  profits  of  the  American  patent.  On  the  same  day  the  anni 
versary  of  the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society  took  place,  and  at  the  dinner,  ir 
the  afternoon,  Dr.  Jackson  made  a  speech,  in  which  he  claimed  to  have  beer 
entirely  disinterested  in  his  connexion  with  the  discovery,  and  said  he  liat, 
destroyed  the  bond.  He  did  not  say  that  he  had  destroyed  it  that  morning, 
just  in  season  for  the  speech,  but  we  are  permitted  to  infer  that  it  was  destroye<i 
at  a  time  when  it  had  some  value. 

The  inconsistency  between  these  late  claims  for  disinterestedness  on  the  paTj 
of  Dr.  Jackson,  and  his  unremitted  efforts  to  obtain  the  utmost  possible  pec» 
niary  advantage  from  the  discovery,  so  long  as  there  was  any  chance 
being  profitable,  is  apparent  to  all. 

So  long  as  the  discovery  v^s  under  test,  and  its  result  was  uncertain 
Jackson  is  unseen  and  unheard.     When  it  became  evident,  from  the  two  exp©^ 
riments  at  the  hospital,  that  the  discovery  was  of  value,  at  the  close  of  Octobei| 
Dr.  Jackson  first  appears,  and  then  only  for  the  purpose  of  claiming  compeni 
sation  of  Dr.  Morton  for  professional  advice.     He  accepts  five  hundred  dollarFl 
His  friend  obtains  for  him  ten  per  cent,  of  the  net  profits  of  the  American  patenli 
He  next  refuses  to  sign  the  European  papers  without  receiving  ten  per  cent,  on  tbl 
foreign  patents.     From  this  he  rises  to  twenty  per  cent.,  and  on  the  28th  oi 
January  he  claims  "  twenty-five  per  cent,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  as  the  leasjj 
that  in  justice  "  can  be  offered  him ;  and  his  counsel,  of  course  with  his  sanel. 
tion,  speaks  of  the  patent  as  one  which,  "  if  sustained,  promises  to  give  to  alt) 
parties  large  sums  of  money  for  their  united  co-operation."     He  opens  uegci 
tiations  with   Dr.  Morton,  through  Mr.  Hayes,  for  obtaining  a  joint  patent  if 
France,  by  the  instrumentality  of  M.  de  Beaumont,  whose  letters  to  Dr.  Jack 
son  on  this  point  were  shown  to  Dr.  Morton.     After  all  hope  of  pecuniar 
benefit  from  the  patent  is  at  an  end,  he  cancels  the  bond,  and  with  a  strangij 
forgetfulness  of  all  his  previous  conduct,  comes  out  in  the  character  of  one  wh 
disdains  pecuniary  compensation.     Not  only  so,  but  he  seems  determined  tha 
Dr.  Morton  shall  receive  no  compensation.     On  the  20th  November/l847,  th 
physicians  and  surgeons  of  the  hospital  (with  one  exception)  prepared  a  memc 
rial  to  Congress,  setting  forth  the  importance  of  this  discovery,  and  praying  th 
government  to  make  a  payment  "  to  those  persons  who  shall  bo  found,  on  iuvet 
tigation,  to  merit  compensation,"  on  condition  that  the  patent  be  given  uj 
Knowing  that  this  would  result  in  an  official  inquiry  into  the  discovery,  J^ 
Morton  promoted  it  to  the  utmost  of  his  power.     Dr.  Jackson,  on   the  otlii 
hand,  rcmonstratc^d  against  it,  on  the  professed  gi-ound  that  he  would  sulni 
hLs  claims  to  no  tribunal,  and  that,  as  the  sole  discoverer,  he  wished  no  rewa. 
beyond  the  gratitude  of  mankind. 

It  is  well  known  that  an  effort  was  made  in  London,  by  subscription,  for 
donation  to  tlie  discoverer  of  the  effecttj  of  ether.  By  letters  to  gentlemen 
this  country  from  friends  in  London,  we  are  informed  that  a  sum,  estimated 
c€10,000,  was  considen'd  a.-;  secured;  but  tlie  controvei'sy  and  doubt  created  \ 
Dr.  Jackson's  communications  to  the  Freucli  Academy  caused  it  to  bo  aba; 
doned. 

Dr.  Jackson  speaks  of  Dr.  Morton  in  terms  of  great  biUerness.     He  ass.ii 
Ilia  private  character,  declaring  that  it  is  infamous,  and  that  in  knowledge  a: 


T>R.   WM.   T.   O.   MORTON.  155 

iiitt'lloct  lie  i:»  An  ignOTamufl  and  an  imbecile,  not  only  not  y)Of>fle«pe«^  of  pcionce, 
">ur  nH'Titally  incapaMc  of  acquiring:  it ;  and  tbnt,  whilo  aflmiiii;  trri!)f^  hin  ansp^- 
li«tic  va|M)r  to  the  [witientH  at  the  h()."«i)ital,  ho  was  offuupiv*!  tu  ili«  I'jiculty  by 
K  ri-*on  of  ijifnonuice  and  quackery.  Much  of  his  letter  to  B;iron  Vt>n  Hum- 
In. Idt,  which  he  filed  before  the  coramirtee  of  185-^  as  his  answ(;r.  for  this  reason 
would  not  bo  sufl«-rtd  to  rrmain  on  ilie  tile»  of  a  court  of  <haiucr>'.  but  would 
be  -trirki'U  out  for  scandal  and  imp*     '  Your  connuitteo  utterly  rcfuf*ed, 

tiH  -r  iiru  .ibove,  to  receive  evidence  ■  il  character,  or  of  particular  accn- 

!»atiou  (ir  d(  fence  for  or  against  either  ot  ihc  parties  not  nhvant  to  the  issue; 
but  as  the  char;^tw  advanced  by  Dr.  Jackson  against  Dr.  Morton  in  the  letter 
'ihove  must  rcmaui  on  the  files  of  the  Ilou^e  and  be  printed  with  the  proceed- 
n'^<  of  the  conmiitier,  they  deem  it  but  ju.-t  to  say  that  these  charges  are  not 
Hiiy  not  6Ui>poitcd  by,  but  are  utterly  inconaisteut  with,  thi3  current  proofs  in 
his  case. 

The  evidence  presented  with  Dr.  "Wells's  claim  shows  that  dental  operations 

vtTe  in  several  in:>tauces  performed  without  pain  by  Dr.  Wells  under  the  in- 

nruoc  of  nitrous  oxide,  which  bad  been  before  known  in  some  cases  to  pro- 

iucc  a  total  or  paitial  .i-    ■-■-.':.     It  aj)pears  also   that  the  vapor  of  sulphuric 

itlur  was  t!iou,L;ht  of,'  .  and  finally  rejected  by  him;  while  the  total 

b,ind«»iiuii  -it  of  the  u^c  i«t  nitrous  oxide,  and  indeed  of  every  other  agent, 

hov.s  t!       D  .  AVells's  j'Xpenraents  wen',  on  the  whole,  unriuccessful.     He  cn- 

d  in  tin  .search,  and  failed  to  find  the  object  of  his  pursuit.     He  attempted 

.  nthnvorM  assiduously  to  carry  out  the  idea  to  practical  results,  but  was 

>i  ^ui  '..     'ill  i.  V  .IS  ^^rcat  merit  in  the  efif>rt,  but  it  proved  a  failure. 

Dr.  \\      -,    li«:t  r  !( ,  ill  tin*  opinion  of  your  committee,  is  not  entitled  to  th« 

lonor  of  the  discovery.     He  stopped  half-way  in  the  pursuit.      He  had  th« 

rent   id«  a  of  producing  insensibility  to  pain,  but  be  did  not  verify  it  by  suc- 

«;s.>tul  •  Aj.  .  !uents.     Ha  mistook  the  means,  and  he  unfortunately  rejected  the 

rue  aaa  -  :,  tic  agent  as  dangerous  *o  life,  and  therefore  did  not  make  the  dis- 

ovcry        :    ^'ivc  it  to  mankind.     He  did  what  Dr.  Beddoes,  Sir  Humphrey 

)avy,  anil  I)..  Townsend  had  done  about  the  close  of  the  1  ist  century,  but 

othing  more. 

Uii  li.'  had  the  signal  merit  of  revi\ing  the  invest ieration,  and,  probably,  of 
,t-r(  u::l^^  tin-  discovery.  If  an  idea  connected  with  th<-  sul>ject  lay  donnant  m 
H-  mind  ot  any  one,  his  attempt  was  well  calculated  to  awaken  it  into  life. 
Vh<n,  i:i  tl:  •  tall  of  1S44,  be  made  his  public  attempt,  in  Boston,  to  produce 
na  _  a  dent;d  o^Kiralion,  by  the  use  of  nitrous  oxide,  if  Dr.  Jack- 

DH  !i  I  ie  and  perfected  this  discovery,  and  f«'lt  an  abiding  confidence 

1  its  truth,  who  can  doubt  that  be  would  have  availed  hims«*lf  of  that  occasion, 
r  havf  b.'.'Ti  n  miudrd  by  it,  to  make  for  himself  another,  at  an  e;irly  day,  of 
ul'liily  .  AMliiiing  and  testing  the  trae  anajstbetic  agent? 

The  qu*  -i.uu  of  di.scovery,  which  your  committee  has  thus  endeavored  to  ei- 
Diine,  was  every  way  proper  to  be  tried  and  settled  by  intelligent  men,  as  a 
jry  of  the  vicinage,  which  was  proposed  by  Dr.  3Iorton  and  refn.«<ed  by  Di. 
rtckson.  But  it  was  finally  tried  by  a  most  appropriate  tribunal,  the  trustees 
f  thf  y.:  '  Its  General  Hospital,  at  which  the  first  public  exhibition  of 
iis  pail  .:;  power  was  made,  and  when*  its  effects  were  first  witnessed 

y  an  a    ...;  ;..,^   .;u.aonce.     The  question  of  discovery  wa.s  tried  before  these 
uji — n     r     -     :    I  ^ci.ntific  corporation,  to  whom  Dr.  Jackson  was  well  known 
a  (1>  niemlxr  of  th<i  medical  faculty,  and  to  whom  Dr.  Morton, 

:ur  t.)  I  '  ry,  and  the  contest  to  which  it  led,  was  kno'vn  only  as  a 

u'.ig  mm  of  energy  and  enterprise.  And  this  board,  eompo^od  of  men  whos« 
ames  would  do  honor  to  any  scientific  institution,  presently  after  the  discovery, 
car  the  time  and  at  the  place  where  it  occurred,  gave,  by  a  unanimous  voice, 
s  honor  to  Dr.  Morton.     0'^'^   v.  nr  nju-r  tb.v  r«-vit'wed  their  decision,  at  the 


156  DR.    WM.    T.    Q.    MORTON. 

request  of  Dr.  Jackson,  and  unanimously  confirmed  it.     In  this  connexion  your  I 
committee  deem  it  proper  to  introduce  a  letter  from  the  honorable  Secretary  of 

State. 

"Washington,  December  20,  1851. 

**  Dear  Sir  :  In  reply  to  your  letter  of  the  17th  instant,  I  would  say  that, 
having  been  called  on,  on  a  previous  occasion,  to  examine  the  question  of  the 
discovery  of  the  application  of  ether  in  surgical  operations,  I  then  formed  the 
opinion  which  I  have  since  seen  no  reason  to  change,  that  the  merit  of  that 
great  discovery  belonged  to  you,  and  I  had  supposed  that  the  reports  of  the 
trustees  of  the  hospital  and  the  committee  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of 
the  United  States  were  conclusive  on  this  point. 

*'  The  gentlemen  connected  with  the  hospital  are  well  known  to  me  as  of  thei 
highest  character,  and  they  possessed,  at  the  time  of  the  investigation,  every  i 
facility  for  ascertaining  all  the  facts  in  the  case. 

"  The  committee  of  the  House  were,  I  believe  unanimous  in  awarding  to  you 

the  merit  of  having  made  the  first  practical  application  of  ether,  and  a  majority, 

by  their  report,  awarded  to  you  the  entire  credit  of  the  discovery. 

"  Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

"DANIEL  WEBSTER. 

"Dr.  W.  T.  G.  Morton." 


Before  this  tribunal  neither  time,  place,  nor  circumstance  permitted  bold  andi 
confident  assertion  to  be  mistaken  for  truth.  With  this  award  we  think  Dr. 
Jackson,  Dr.  Wells,  and  the  scientific  world  should  have  been  satisfied.  It  is, 
in  the  opinion  of  your  committee,  entitled  to  great  weight.  It  was  the  first,  and 
oiight  to  have  been  the  only  contest.  Our  enlightened  system  of  jurisprudence 
forbids,  except  under  extraordinary  circumstances,  a  second  trial  of  questions 
of  fact.  It  forbids  it  as  a  guard  against  the  danger  incident  to  repeated  inves- 
tigations, that  truth  will  be  overborne  by  artfully  manufactured  evidence. 

Therefore,  even  if  the  evidence  before  your  committee  rendered  the  question 
of  fact  doubtful,  which  it  does  not,  they  would  hesitate  long  before  they  would 
overrule  tlie  decision  of  the  trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  General  Hospital. 

It  is  also  a  subject  of  much  gratification  to  this  committee  to  be  able  to  concur 
in  the  opinion  of  the  former  committees  of  the  House,  from  whose  very  able 
i;eportri  they  have  extracted  so  largely.  They  did  not,  however,  feel  themselves 
bound  by  either  the  one  or  the  other,  but  gave  the  subject  for  themselves  a  full 
and  careful  consideration.  But  they  are  the  more  satisfied  with  the  conclusions 
to  which  they  have  come  because  of  their  concurrence  with  such  high  and  unex- 
ceptionable authorities. 

Dr.  Jack:;Ou  appeals  to  the  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences  at  Paris,  and 
claims  that  that  learned  body  has  decided  the  question  of  discovery  in  his  favoi 
by  awardiug  him  th(;  "  ?.[ontliyon  prize  for  the  greatest  medical  discovery,"  and 
that  |.heir  decision  ought  to  be  taken  as  final  and  conclusive. 

Yo.ui'  committee,  for  obvious  reasons,  would  at  once  bow  to  the  decision  oi 
tjiat.very  leanied  society, (the  centre  and  soul  of  scientific  knowledge  in  Eurojie) 
aa  to  the  fact  of  discovery,  and  that  the  honor  of  the  discovery  belonged  ; 
America,  fud  also  as  to  its  merit  and  value  atnoiig  the  discoveries  of  the  n,u' 
But  on  the  question,   Who  was  the  discoverer?  their  decision,  if  ihey  made  oiu 
id  entilhid  to  much  less  welglit.     They  arc  remote  from  the  scene — had  no  menus 
at  au  e.irly  day,  of  possessii)g  themselves  of  the  evidence — and  we  have  already! 
seen  li<nv  ihe  minds  of  the  members  of  the  academy  were  pre-occui>ied  by  Dr 
Juckt;(>ii*ri  Bcah^d  letter  of  November  13,  184G,  and  his  letter  of  December  I 
dii-ecting  the  seal  of  the  former  letter  to  be  broken.     The  temporaiy  secrecy 


DR.   WM.   T.    O.    MORTOy.  157 

with  tlio  form  nnd  circnmJ«tanco  of  thf  (l?8cln<»nrc.  to«^thcr  with  his  Europoan 
rrpnt;itio!i  for  pcionco.  were,  hi  tho  nh^onco  of  any  conflicting  evidence  or  claim, 
wcU  c.nlcnl:itf<l  to  raako  a  fir«t  imprespion  in  Iii«  favor. 

But  ih«'  Academy  of  Art:*  and  Science's  at  Parig  did  not,  as  it  appears,  award 
to  Dr.  .Tack?on  the  honor  of  th'^  discovery,  either  directly  or  indirectly,  by 
awarrliii;^  him  *'  Mr  Mtrnthyrm  prizrfor  the  grratctf  mfJIral  digrorrri/.**  Your 
committee  h:ive  inspected  the  (ifficial  awnrdment;*  cxhihitrd  by  the  pnrties,  and 
find  tliat  the  award  to  Dr.  Jnck^on  wa3  ''  one  of  the  prizes  of  medicine  and 
giin^ry  o\'  tho  Monthyon  fonmlation."  And  M.  Ah'xander  Vattemnrc,  in  hts 
letter  to  Dr.  Morton,  pives  an  extract  from  the  formal  decision  made  bv  tlmt 
learned  body,  **  between  these  two  celebrated  contestants."  ai»  follows : 

**  Mr.  .Taekson  and  Mr.  Morton  were  nece«)»ary  to  each  othor.  With«>  u  inm 
earnestness,  the  preronrcired  idea,  the  conrn^,  not  to  say  the  andacit}'  of  the 
kuter,  the  fact  oi»stned  by  Mr.  .Jackson  mic:ht  have  lon^i:  remained  un  ippli(  d  ; 
and  but  for  the  fact  observed  by  Mr.  .lacksou,  the  idea  of  Mr.  Morton  mic;lit  pcr- 
luips  h.ivc  bfon  sU'rile  and  ineftVctn  il  "  '•Consequently,  (lie  proceeds,)  tbtTe  has 
been  awarded  a  pnze  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  francs  to  Mr,  Jacks<»n  for 
W^  obs.  rvjtions  an<l  experiments  upon  tln>  ana'sthetic  <  t^icts  of  sulphuric  fther, 
and  another  of  two  thousand  five  hundred  francs  likewise  to  Mr.  Morton,  for 
having  introduced  the  method  in  surpcal  practice  after  the  indications  of  Mr. 
Jackson." 

Dr.  Morton  ha.«»,  within  a  few  days,  received  the  expression  of  the  academy  in 
the  mo.  .hie  form  of  their  largest  ^old  medal.     The  prize  awarded  to 

him,  a.-  .'<d.  h«'infr  of  an  amount  not  absorbed  by  the  medal,  has  been 

ap;  .:  it  in  a  suitable  golden  frame.     On  the.  one  side 

of  name  of  the  institute,  is  a  medallion  head  of  tho 

Go^i<i<  -^  ot  Libtjfiy.  Ou  llie  reverse,  surrounded  by  a  wreath  of  laurel,  is  cn- 
gravni— 

"  Acadi  mil'  des  Sciences.  Prix  Monthvon,  Medicine  et  Chinirgie,  Concouis 
de  IS47  et  1848.     Wra.  T.  G.  Morion,  1&50." 

Upon  a  full  examination  of  the  whole  case  so  far  as  time  and  means  wore 
affordel  to  your  committee,  th«  v  have  come  to  the  conclusion : 

laL  That  Dr.  Horace  Wells  did  not  make  any  discovery  of  the  anresthetic 
properties  of  the  vapor  of  sulphuric  ether,  which  he  hira.self  considered  reliablo, 
and  wJiich  he  thought  proper  to  irive  to  the  world.  That  his  experiments  were 
confined  to  nitrous  oxide,  bnt  did  not  show  it  to  be  an  e65cient  and  i*eliable 
anaesthetic  i'g«*nt,  proper  to  be  u.>«"d  in  surgical  operations  and  in  obstetrical  cases. 

For  the  rest  your  committee  have  come  to  the  same  conclusions  that  were 
arrived  at  by  the  trustees  of  the  Massachusetts  (leneral  Hospital  at  their  meet- 
ing in  Jiinuary,  1S48.  and  reconsiJen  d  and  confirmed  in  1S49,  and  adopted  by 
the  fon:Mr  ct»mmittee  of  the  House,  viz  : 

2^.  That  Doctor  Jackson  does  not  appear  at  any  time  to  have  made  any  dis- 
covery in  regard  to  ether  which  was  not  in  print  in  Great  Britain  some  years 
before. 

3d.  That  Doctor  Morton,  in  ISl*  *!io  facts  before  unknown,  that 

ether  >\'(uld  prevent  tlic  pain  of  sii:_  ^  us,  and  that  it  might  be  given 

in  suflKieni  quantity  to  effect  this  purpose,  without  danger  to  life.  He  first 
established  Uiese  facta  by  numerous  operations  ou  teeth,  and  alterwards  induced 
the  surgeons  of  the  hospital  to  demonstrate  ita  general  applicability  and  import- 
ance in  capital  operations. 

4th.    That  Doctor  Jackson  appears  to  have  had  the  belief  that  a  power  in 
ether  to  prevent  pain  in  dental  operations  would  be  discovered.     He  .  i-  --r  ^ 
various  persons  to  attempt  the  discovery,  but   neither  they  nor  he  tr 
measiuvs  to  that  end,  and  the  world  remained  in  entire  i_  of  bom  ihc 

power  and  safety  of  ether  until  Doctor  Mortc»n  made  his  ex^  s. 


158  DR.   WM.    T.    G.   MORTON. 

5th.  That  the  whole  agency  of  Doctor  Jackson  in  the  matter  appears  to  con- 
gist  only  in  his  having  made  certain  suggestions,  which  aided  Doctor  ]\Iorton  to 
make  the  discovery — a  discovery  which  had  for  some  time  been  the  object  o^ 
hiij  labors  and  researches. 

Though  it  was  but  "a  single  step,  and  that  a  short  one,"  from  the  daily  walks 
of  eciencc  to  this  great  discovery,  yet  the  scientific  world  admits  that  the  step 
was  never  taken  prior  to  the  30th  of  September,  1846  j  and  the  discovery,  when 
in  fact  made,  was  instantly  appreciated  and  hailed  by  the  surgical  profession 
vrith  the  most  exalted  enthusiasm,  almost  with  shouts  of  tapture.  The  com- 
mittee have  thought  proper  to  annex  the  following  extracts  from  the  records  of 
the  Patent  Office : 

"  I  have  therefore,  in  consideration  of  one  dollar,  to  me  in  hand  paid,  the 
receipt  Avhereof  I  do  hereby  acknowledge,  assigned,  set  over,  and  conveyed,  and 
by  these  presents  do  assign,  set  over,  and  convey  to  the  said  Morton  and  his 
legal  representatives,  all  the  right,  title,  and  interest  whatever  Avhich  I  pos- 
sessed in  the  said  invention  or  discovery,  a  specification  of  which  I  have  this 
day  signed  and  executed  in  conjunction  with  him,  for  the  purpose  of  enabling 
him  to  procure  a  patent  thereon. 

"  And  I  do  hereby  request  the  Commissioner  of  Patents  to  issue  the  patent 
to  the  said  Morton  in  his  name,  and  as  my  assignee  or  legal  representative,  to 
the  extent  of  all  my  right,  title,  and  interest  whatever  in  the  said  invention  or 
discovery. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereto  set  my  signature  and  affixed  my  seal 
this  twenty-seventh  day  of  October,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty-six. 

''CHAllLES  T.  JACKSON. 

♦*  Witness :  R.  H.  Eddy." 

Your  committee  cannot  better  conclude  their  report  than  by  introducing  the 
following  extract  from  "ether  and  chloroform,"  by  Ileury  J.  Bigelow,  professor 
of  surgery  in  the  Massachusetts  Medical  College,  a  member  of  the  American 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  the  Boston  Society  of  Medical  Improvement, 
jui  honoraiy  member  of  the  Anatomical  Society  of  Paris,  correspondiiig  member 
of  Biological  S  >ciety  of  Paris,  and  others: 

"An  impartial  consideration  of  the  qno«^an,  *Who  was  the  discoverer  ©f 
•tker  insensibility  to  the  pain  of  surgical  operations?'  will  be  best  attained  by  a 
previous  consideration  of  the  abstract  question  of  discovery;  reserving  for  its 
conclusion  a  special  application  of  the  principles  illustrated  by  it  to  this  special 
•abject. 

"Why  was  the  discovery  not  made  before?  Why  did  no  one  discern  the 
Tftlue  of  the  exhilarating  agent  which  had  attracted  the  attention  of  so  many? 

"Because  the  human  mind  is  fettered  by  long  custom.  It  rims  in  the  chan- 
nels of  routine.  First  diverted  from  \U  course  by  some  little  obstacle,  its  ciwrent 
•wells  and  deepens,  bearing  down  solid  opposition  that  it  may  roll  tranquilly  in 
ita  distorted  bed.  Watch  the  tide  of  human  footsteps,  guided  by  the  mind  of 
successive  generations.  The  pathway  turns  here  and  there  to  avoid  some  little 
inequality,  and  the  old  man  and  the  child  follow  the  winding  track.  'Mind  fol- 
lows where  ^lind  has  been  Few  turn  aside  to  analyze  tlie  difficulties  which 
discouraged  others.  That  a  thing  has  not  been,  is,  to  most  men,  perhaps  justly, 
a  reason  why  it  will  not  be ;  and  here  is  the  office  of  philosophic  incredulity 
which  doubts  the  track  of  custom. 

"It  is  quite  obvious  tliat  such  incredulity  may  emanate  fi'om  widely  differing 
•onrcee.  It  often  grows  out  of  depth  and  originality  of  intellect;  of  capacity 
wiiich  takes  a  wide  and  general  view,  discovering  imperfection  in  mode  or  in 
■iKterial. 

"On  the  other  hand,  as  he  wlio  u  ij^noraut  of  a  path  may  make  the  bliortcsf 


DR.    WM.    T.  f .  If^TON.  159 

rouU;  from  point  to  point,  so  ono  who  is  not  familiar  with  tho  erroneous  conclu- 
»loiu»«»f  prt'viou:*  kuo^i Itiljrc  may  fust  tiaco  a  tru'*  rcault.  lu  eucli  a  ca^e  ijirno- 
niuc»*«)f  rnoriiiHi»Hai<Jental  vjiutnjfi^  groumi,  which  j)lacoa  itd  mau  ronaiderably 
LHYinT  tniih  ihuii  tiiaL  occupied  by  pnjiidici'  ha^cd  upon  error. 

"1  hold  that  puch  iucredulity,  wliethor  of  know  U'dj;r  or  of  ijrnorance,  U  likrly 
to  iudicjitr  a  pliilojiophic  mind.  It  proposes  to  think  for  itnelt.  Its  experience 
iif  the  ^-  '  •  '  ^  rfhown  it  that  tho  world  may  be  wrong.  Ttrf  experience  of  its 
own  al  Uiu^ht  it  to  respect  it^jelf.     For  exiimplc,  Whitney  wa*>  Raid  to 

foim  hi.'^  «..  I  i.~,-.iisi,  not  ai'U'T  the  m(\del  of  common  opinion,  but  by  his  own  nice- 
Iv-balrtnctd  jiuij^iiunt.  iVrhaps  in  .some  detiiU,  humble  iIiou;:h  they  be,  Huch  a 
mind  Jia-  seou  the  d<?fort  of  oihora'  judfj^nunt,  ;ind  has  had  cause  to  prefer  its 
own  n  -Mf  ;  and,  thus  iu.-tructed,  turns  to  a  new  subject,  dctennined  to  win  its 
own  e\  ;o  make  its  own  investi^Mlion. 

"Su»  .  iiiity,  brought  to  bwir  upon  an  extended  system,  especially  in 

t^Kj  inex.ict  hcidicts,  is  justly  viewed  with  suspiciou;  and  the  reformer  in  poli- 
tico, in  the  swciai  fiyst<'m  or  in  medical  science,  meets  no  enthusiastic  greeting. 
A  little  Ecal,  with  a  little  error  of  premises  or  of  reasoning,  may  iheu  make  the 
reformer  da!i;.'erous.  Here  the  experimenfum  cruris  cannot  easily  be  tried,  either 
from  the  iiunilr.  L-  ».f  elements  in  the  problem,  from  the  length  of  time  required, 
or  from  tlit  niairaitude  of  the  interests  at  stake;  and  the  world,  thenjfore,  very 
justly  ni.ii'.Uiiii^  a  degree  of  comjcrvatism  and  immobility  in  its  moral,  social, 

a&d  political  iel,iti>)li.-. 

"In  the  exacL  pliysiciJ  sciences  tho  tenets  of  a  reformer  may  Ijc  easily  tested. 
Hore  the  1.ij;I(  i.iu  eiihily  supplies  himself  with  facts.  The  result  of  single  and 
brief  experinints,  made  at  will,  can  admit  of  little  doubt.  Even  ia  the  obscurer 
jmrts  of  mediciue,  where  tho  material  and  inmiaterial  influences  are  numerou.*^ 
Ktii.  someiiims  inappreciable,  every  honest  and  logic;d  mind  must,  upon  poinU** 
«jt'  importance,  arrive  at  one  and  the  same  result.  No  danger  can  n'sult  from 
iucj-eduiity  in  medical  science.  C>n  the  contrary,  in  view  of  the  errors  of  fact 
which  grow  out  of  want  of  time  or  qualification  on  the  part  of  observers,  or  the 
intrinsic  diriicuUies  m*  the  science,  a  healthy  and  vigihmt  scepticism  of  recorded 
fiicU'.  wh.t'n  r  in  diugnobis  or  in  therapeutics,  is  one.  of  the  essential  methods  of 
it«i  advi.necnieut. 

•*  It  is  quite  obvious;  that  such  incredulity,  Fuch  distrust  of  recognized  au- 
diority,  occupies  a  m'^rely  negative  pop»uon.  It  is  a  quality  which  adapts  itn 
poBsessor  for  the  rec<.plion  of  new  light,  from  which  the  act  of  invtmtion  may 
euianate;  \,\r  that  euch  act  should  in  reality  occur  certain  active  faculties  are 
requi>ite.  i  -  .-.live  inventive  talent  \i^  r»<|i)irfd,  tlie  nature  of  which  I  shall  at- 
tempt to  show,  liul  let  it  be  rem-  •  is  a  partial  sub.^'titute  for 
talent.  It  h:\y  1m  en  said  that  tL'  in  men  lies  more  in  their 
power  I  uion  than  in  this  quality.  Great  application,  resulting  frfim 
strong  -  will  be  readily  allowed  to  bring  about  nsults  much  like  those 
9di  talent.  At  ;uiy  rate  it  is  moro  nearly  allied  to  the  untiring  zeal  and  stern 
'energy-  ul.i.Ii  r, ,  ...ni/cs  no  obstruction  to  its  march.  It  is  well  known  that 
diis  un  ^  erancc  has  charaetej-ized  a  large  proportion  ot  inventor?  ; 
k  has  aniiiiii,  .  .ill  .11  in  tailure  and  nerved  them  through  adversity.  Of  Whil- 
Dcy,  whoso  cottiu  gin,  even  fifteen  years  ago,  was  said  to  be  demonstrably  worth 
$100,000,000  to  the  United  States,  it  wad  s.-iid,  '  i)£  all  my  experience  in  tb^ 
Chomy  protessiou  of  the  law  I  never  saw  a  case  of  such  persi-vrrance  uuder 
such  per8ecuti#>n.  Even  now,  after  thirtv  y^ar:*.  my  1  Hect  hi? 
Marratives  of  new  trials,  fresh  disappoutcmeut,  and  a»  -  Ful- 
ton's enerp;  vellous.  His  exinrimentid  boa  plettd,  after  in- 
oooceivable  .-,  in  the  spring  of  i^>0.'),  when  a  i  r  announced  that 
tibe  *  boat  hau  Ijiwkm  iu  pieces  and  gone  to  the  bottom.'  Ai'ter  a  momentary 
i^pondency,  which  till  then  he  had  never  felt,  and  without  retnmiug  to  htf 
k^ljging,  without  rec>t  or  refreshmcut,  ho  labored  with  his  own  hand  j  to  raise  ber 


1^0  DR.   WM.   T.   G.   MORTON. 

during  twenty-four  hours  incessantlj.  To  this  imprudence  he  attributed  much 
of  his  subsequent  bad  health.  The  boat  was  almost  entirely  rebuilt,  and  was 
again  completed  in  July.  I  take  Fulton,  Whitney,  and  Arkwright  as  types  of 
the  mechanical  inventor.  They  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree  the  inventive 
talent ;  but  this  did  not  predominate  over  determination  and  perseverance,  as 
not  unfrequently  happens  when  such  talent  is  exaggerated.  Of  Whitney's 
power  of  invention  it  was  said,  '  it  never  ran  wild  ;  it  accomplished,  without 
exception,  all  that  he  ever  asked  of  it,  and  no  more.  I  emphasize  this  last  ex- 
pression from  having  in  mind  the  case  of  a  man  whose  inventive  power  ap- 
peared to  be  more  fertile  even  than  Whitney's  ;  but  he  had  it  under  no  control. 
When  he  had  imagined  and  half  executed  one  fine  thing  he  darted  off  to  an- 
other, and  he  perfected  nothing.     Whitney  perfected  all  he  attempted.* 

"  Such  energy,  vital  to  the  existence  of  most  discoveries,  may  grow  out  of 
either  the  inventor's  sense  of  necessity  or  his  conviction  of  the  possibility  of 
reaching  his  object.  And  the  last  is  another  agent,  mysterious  to  many,  which 
is  allied  to  the  incredulity  before  alluded  to,  and  which  eminently  characterizes 
the  inventor's  mind.  It  may  be  defined  as  a  belief  in  the  possibility  or  cer- 
tainty of  producing  a  result  attained  by  the  more  active  perception  and  reflec- 
tion of  the  inventor's  mind,  by  a  series  of  processes  which  he  may  be,  and  often 
is,  totally  unable  to  impart.  He  is  often,  in  consequence,  considered  as  unsound 
or  unwise,  for,  as  far  as  the  subject  in  hand  is  concerned,  the  inventor  is  actually 
ahead  of  the  world.  His  faculties  may  not  be  recognized  as  stronger,  his  char- 
acter more  forcible,  his  intellectual  range  broader,  nor  his  knowledge  of  expe- 
rience greater  than  those  of  other  men,  yet  for  the  narrow  point  at  issue  he  is 
more  competent  than  any  other.  His  perceptions  are  stimulated  and  brought 
to  a  focus,  and  his  energy  is  hot.  He  may  actually  become  a  better  instrument 
for  a  special  purpose  than  another  whose  intellectual  mechanism  is  f^r  more 
complicated.  Franklin,  in  an  essay  before  the  American  Philosophical  Society, 
gave  a  drawing  of  a  water-wheel,  accompanied  by  a  demonstration,  conclusive, 
as  he  supposed,  that  such  wheels  could  not  be  used  to  advantage  in  propelling 
steamboats.  He  proposed  a  jet  from  the  stern.  Fulton  proved  that  among  all 
methods  proposed  the  jet  was  the  worst,  and  the  wheel  the  best.  Fulton  wag 
right,  and  not  Franklin. 

**  The  power  of  remodelling  old  forms,  of  abbreviating  method,  of  demising 
and  economizing  force  for  the  passage  of  trodden  or  untrodden  paths,  appeal's  to 
me  essentially  the  same  in  most  of  the  vocations  of  the  human  mind.     Super- 
added to  it  may  be  a  taste  or  a  talent  for  the  combinations  of  mechanical  or 
otl\er  force,  or  for  the  complicated  details  of  number  and  of  space,  or  for  any 
other  of  the  fields  of  science.     But  how  often  is  a  mind  simultaneously  given  ; 
to  various  inventive  fields,  exhibiting  its  powers  in  various  directions,  and  intui-  ' 
tively  recognized  and  stigmatized  by  the  world  as  having  a  genius  which  inca- 
pacitates it  for  the  daily  routine  of  life.     And  how  many,  like  Newton  or  ^ 
Franklin,  who  added  the  element  of  perseverance  to  this  genius,  have  been  dis- 
tinguished for  a  versatility  of  talent,  manifesting  itself  each  year  in  a  new  field,** 
and  exhibiting  in  each  its  peculiar  trait.     Franklin  was  a  reformer,  Fulton  a 
warm  advocate  of  the  principles  of  free  trade,  while  Whitney,  in  his  colleg^i 
compositions,  and  in  the  words  of  his  biographer,  *  with  a  spirit  somewhat  pro- 
phetical, anticipated  the  decline  and  overthrow  of  all  arbitrary  governments, 
and  the  substitution  in  their  place  of  a  purely  representative  system  like  our 
owm' 

*•  The  inventor  invents  or  devises  the  means  to  attain  his  ends.  He  is, 
therefore,  most  likely,  other  things  being  equal,  to  be  a  discoverer,  beciuse  ho 
will  best  devise  the  instruments,  material  or  abstract,  to  cross-examine  nature, 
and  discover  abstract  truth.  Yet  it  often  happens  that  an  inventive  talent  con- 
fines itself  to  the  exposition  of  mechanical  truths  ot  limited  application ;  not 
demonstrating  large  and  suggestive  laws  in  science,  but  settling  limited  ques- 


DB.   WM.   T.    a.   MORTOir.  161 

tions  of  (X,  '  ;  or  making  comblnationfl.  as  Ncwtoa  did  hu  wotcl^ 

For  tho  iut.  ;rc  of  it. 

•'  Such  in  it  as  that  of  Fulton  and  Whitney,  and  hosts  of  others, 

who-.  •  '     '   '       "It  inventions  and  A'   ■■■'-■' rs,  is  not 

th»'  le-  by  the  field  of  iii  force  to 

Mliifli  It  li  -  a  it.-fil.     ill'- moaiiieationj*  of  1.,     '      '    ti  lurco  do  in  fact 

afford  an  ai  :   to  ?uch  intellect.     But  prive  cj  v  to  such  men  oa 

Fiilton,  or  to  a  thuu^and  nainele.*:*  arti-^  '      "  talciil  is  valued  at  more  than 

gold  liy  tho:»e  wh'>  convert  such  knoNvl.    _  .  money;  find  Home  way  of  de- 

tcctinp:  this  liuii  '  -,  and  gi^  e  to  it  the  opportunity  for  education  in  Hciiiiicc 

and  nnuuTchant.;  i,  which  may  take  the  place  of  natural  stroug  tai^te  fur 

it,  and  liie  combination  of  the  inventive  talent  with  the  scientific  knowh;dg(j 
Would  yield  the  true  philosopher.  Newton  built  a  watch,  and,  having  a  rare 
genius  lor  arithmetic  computation,  discovered  the  law  of  gravitation. 

•'  It  is  difficult  to  overestimate  this  talent  for  expedients  and  resources.  What 
is  American  ingenuity!  It  is  this  great  talent  seeking  a  field  in  mechanical 
combinations  in  a  country  where  opportunities  for  scientific  knowledge  have  been 
hitherto  comparativ<'ly  rare.  The  elements  of  American  ingenuity  constitute  the 
perception,  the  discrimination,  and  the  resources  of  the  American  people. 

'•  The  true  power  of  originating,  wherever  manifested,  is  the  combined  result 
of  a  power  of  analy-  power  of  combination — the  former  enabling  the 

inventor  to  discover  i  vnces  between  the  elements  of  existing  combina- 

tions, to  detect  the  inilueuce  of  each,  and  to  reject  the  useless ;  while  the  latter 
perceives  the  relations  of  new  elements  to  the  problem,  and  invokes  their  agency 
in  the  new  combinations.  The  intellectual  philosopher  may  justly  recognize  in 
these  faculties  the  ac^ency  both  of  powerful  judgment  and  of  the  imaginative 
quality ;  both  brought  to  bear  upon  a  range  of  subjects  ^ath  which  their  pos- 
sessor is  familiar. 

"  It  has  been  conceded  that  this  talent  is  peculiar — often  an  uncultivated  gift, 
brought  to  bear  upon  some  narrow  range  of  material,  by  those  whose  general 
knowledge  does  not  testify  to  their  industry  or  opportunities,  or  whose  intellec- 
tual calibre  and  general  range  does  not  at  all  comport  with  this  local  develop- 
ment of  talent  in  the  direction  to  which  taste  has  guided  it. 

*•  On  the  other  hand,  niiiny  discoveries  important  to  the  world  owe  little  to 
this  peculiar  talent.  They  depend  upon  a  fortunate  or  accidental  succession  of 
event.«,  encircling  a  comparatively  moderate  ability ;  and  then  the  magnitude 
of  the  invention  may  be  much  out  of  proportion  to  the  degree  of  the  inventive 
faculty.  The  invention  of  printing,  perhaps  the  greatest  in  the  scale  of  social 
importance,  was  but  a  division  of  the  Roman  printing  block.  Gunpowder, 
which  happens  to  abbreviate  warfare,  was  an  unpremeditated  invention.  The 
discovery  of  Jenner  has  been  attributed — 1,  to  his  tidents ;  2,  to  his  r  '■:  ■ 
tion  under  Hunter ;  3,  to  his  situation  in  the  vale  of  Gloucestershire. 

♦♦I  would  not  abate  ^^\if  of  the  laurel  to  which  t!       '  r  ha.-*  aa  un- 

disputed right,  and  I  slfll  presently  indicate  another  i-nt  from  the 

inventive  talent,  which  ranks  hi^rh  in  intellect,  and  olitii  c«  «i  a  dis- 

coverer for  this  talent.     I  wish  h«*re  to  show  that  a  discovery  '  tractical 

importance  may  result  in  part  *  t"  a 

ground,  from  pcrs^-erance  in  ..'n- 

titious  circumstance ;  that  its  i  lay  be  on  por- 

tion to  the  character  of  the  int  ^  i  in  it;  aii<:  has 

happened  that  a  discovery  of  immense  practical  importance  to  the  human  race, 
with  good  fortune  to  aid  it,  has  involved  but  an  incon-^idi  r.ililf  intellectnal  pang 
in  its  creation,  and,  in  consequence,  that  any  a  prion  j;  upon  the  mode 

of  its  creation  has  very  little  connexion  with  what  iu.^j  ^^u  be  a  questioa of 
pure  fact. 

"  Having  thus  considered  the  intellectual  qualities  concerned  in  the  invention, 
Rep.  Com.  SO 11 


162  DE.   WM.    T.   G.   MORTON. 

I  pass  to  the  progress  of  the  invention  itself,  and  to  a  consideration  of  its  stic- 
cessive  steps.  These  consist,  first,  of  the  suggestion,  and,  second,  of  the  gene- 
ralization. 

"  Perhaps  the  most  fertile  source  of  error  in  the  history  of  invention  grows 
out  of  a  misappreciation  of  these  two  stages  of  discovery.  Yet  they  can  be 
shown  to  differ  widely,  both  in  their  character  and  in  the  credit  they  deserve. 

"  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  unless  invention  be  a  result  of  pure  accident, 
suggestion  always  precedes  it.  It  has  been  often  distinctly  recorded,  in  con- 
nexion with  the  greater  inventions  and  discoveries.  Thus  the  vertical  spindles 
of  an  overturned  spinning-wheel,  suggested  the  jenny  to  Hargreaves.  Iron- 
rolling  suggested  the  drawing  of  cotton  by  rollers  to  Arkwright,  who  thus  re- 
invented the  machine,  (ignorant  of  Wyatt's  previous  invention  ;)  the  valves  of 
Fabricius,  the  circulation  of  the  blood ;  and  so  on. 

"  In  such  cases  the  inventor  or  discoverer  abstracted  from  the  individual  in- 
stance some  inherent  element,  the  applicability  of  which  to  other  instances  he 
alone  saw.  Hargreaves  saw  the  value  of  a  vertical  position  to  spindles ;  New- 
ton, of  the  force  which  attracted  the  apple ;  Harvey,  of  the  idea  that  venous 
blood  could  run  in  only  one  direction;  and  they  generalized  this  element  in  re- 
applying it. 

•'  It  does  not  modify  the  truth  of  this  proposition  that  the  first  fjuggestion  or 
experiment  should  yield  a  new  result;  that  instead  of  a  falling  apple,  it  should 
be  the  contraction  of  a  frog's  leg,  or  an  unpremediated  pustule  on  the  hand  of  a 
Gloucestershire  milkmaid.  Such  facts  were  still  suggestions  and  not  discoveries, 
and  were  new  only  in  the  aspect  they  received  from  the  mind  whose  key-note 
they  struck — new  because  attention  was  then  first  drawn  to  them  in  a  new  rela- 
tion, and  not  new  in  their  actual  occurrence. 

**  And  the  suggestion  varies  in  its  suggestive  power,  both  from  its  own  character 
and  from  that  of  the  mind  it  works  upon.  The  apple  fell,  and  Newton  alone 
abstracted  a  principle  in  behalf  of  the  moon.  Horace  Wells  says,  and  I  believe 
first,  'Reasoning  from  analogy,  I  was  led  tobeheve  that  surgical  operations  might 
be  performed  without  pain,  by  the  fact  that  an  individual,  when  much  excited 
from  ordinary  causes,  may  receive  severe  wounds  without  manifesting  the  least 
pain;  as,  for  instance,  the  man  who  is  engaged  in  combat  may  have  a  limb 
severed  from  his  body,  after  which  he  testifies  that  it  was  attended  with  no  pain 
at  the  time.  And  so  the  man  who  is  intoxicated  with  spirituous  liquor  may  be 
treated  severely  without  his  manifesting  pain.  *  *  *  By  these  facts  I  was 
led  to  inquire  if  the  same  result  would  not  follow  by  the  inhalation  of  some  ex-  i 
hilarating  gas.'  And  it  is  well  known  that  he  tried  the  experiment,  with  vari-  f 
ous  results,  upon  himself  and  others,  in  November,  1844.  And  yet  the  philoso- 
pher Seneca  makes  the  remarkable  observation  :  'That  which  |)rcsses  hard  upon 
you,  and  is  very  urgent,  if  you  begin  to  withdraw  yourself  will  certainly  pursue 
you  and  fall  heavier.  If,  on  the  contrary,  you  stand  your  ground  and  seem  re- 
solved upon  opposition,  you  Avill  drive  it  from  you.T|ttlow  many  strokes  do 
boxers  receive  on  the  face  and  whole  body !  Yet  a  tnirst  of  glory  makes  them 
regardless  of  pain.' 

"  To  Seneca  it  suggested  nothing,  but  to  Wells  a  principle. 

"A  suggestion  derived  from  one  or  two  instances  becomes  an  invention  only 
when  its  important  clement  is  abstracted  and  actually  reapj^ied;  and  it  will  be 
soon  seen  that  the  abstraction  itself,  the  supposition,  the  theory,  without  this 
actual  reapplication,  amounts  to  nothing;  and  that  for  every  actual  and  success- 
ful reapplication  of  a  newly  appreciated  phenomenon  there  have  been  innumer- 
able claims  from  tliose  who  suspected  that  such  reapplication  might  be  made, 
but  did  not  actually  make  it;  who  mistook  a  single  truth  for  a  universal  truth; 
suspicion  for  certainty ;  theory  for  fact. 

"It  will  be  fjund,  by  reference  to  the  histories  of  discoveries,  that  the  sug- 
gestion  and  generalization  have  occurred  almost  invariably  in  the  experience  of 


DR.    WM.    T.    O.   MORTOir.  163 

one  and  the  Mimeiiidi4id«Al.     ThoDf^b  it  is  quite  possible  to  eoutitfli  lint  while 

tlio  <«u<rp*^tion  occurred  to  one  individuiii,  ho  miprht  traiildir  it  for  ^('ncraliMiicift 

'  ■  iinothiT  individual,  yet  I  am  unable  to  find  any  inttmee  in  wbi^b   thi«  has 

I  urred.     On  the  contrary,  tbc  PUHii)ici(>n — the  groundwork  of  the  1  .•♦— 

■»  ^'nerally  snimulnted  and  jj^oaded  the.  pos8egs»or,  until  he  was  abi.   i>,  twuveit 

into  fact.     The  suspicion  baa  hern  then  established,  or,  much  more  frequently, 

-  not  been  e;*tablished.     It  has  proved  erroneoun  ;  hope  ha8  n^rt  been  roaiiaodf 

(I  the  discovery  has  turned  out  to  be  no  discovery.     Watt,  whose  i^flM  19 

I'd  with  the  history  of  steam,  and  the  soundne-       '     "         i 

will  dispute,  speaks  of  'the  cast  of  n  die.     F 

1  lotk.  upon  every  project  that  has  not  r  repoatad 

"This  transfer  of  a  suggestion,  a  tin  ict, qf  i-felyiftg npoa 

'  or  two  facts  alone,  is,  as  I  have  said,  quite  possibK*.     It  woul  '     '        '  ive 

'   character  of  a  ticket  in  a  lottery  which  should  be  thus   tran -:  with 

iiich  the  recipient  may  draw  a  prize,  bnt  which  is  far  more  likely  to  turn  up  a 

.ink. 

"But  espex^ially  in  p^eat  discoveries,  the  theory  has  not  been  thus  made  over 
a  second  party.     The  perceptions  of  the  inventor,  keen  upon  this  point,  have 
iibled  him  to  discern  its  value,  and  he  has  allowed  himself  no  rest,  no  interval, 
the  steady  prosecution  of  his  ta^k. 

"  I  have  alluded  to  a  second  quality  which  contributes  to  discovery.     The 
ive  talent  lies  at  oue  end  of  the  intellectual  vibrations.     At  the  or' 
;s  a  hiijh  quality  which  elaborates  another  element,  while  the  iu- 
itself  is  the  electric  Hash  which  results  from  the  contact  of  the  two. 

"Here  let  mc  do  am[)le  ju.slice  to  the  miud  of  Jeimer,  which  I  do  not  find  to 
have  been  especially  characterized  in  his  bio^aphy  by  the  inventive  genius. 
It  did  posses-»,.as  a  equivalent,  the  power  of  appreciating  the  importance  of  a 
discovery ;  and  it  was  in  this  power,  and  in  the  perseverance  that  resulted  from 
it,  and  indicated  it,  that  I  recognize  his  chief  merit.  Jenner  comprehended  that 
vaccination  would  considerably  prolong  the  average  of  human  existence.  A 
breafUh  of  view,  a  simultaneous  consideration  of  many  circumstances,  with 
ability  to  reason  justly  upon  them  ;  in  short,  a  very  clear  conception  of  the 
whole  subject,  could  alone  aflford  the  notion  of  importance  or  necessity  which 
was  to  becom  '  the  stimulus  and  proximate  cause  of  the  discovery.  Few  minds 
arc  ciipable  of  becoming  so  imbued  with  the  importJince  of  a  merely  possible 
result,  as  to  permit  it  to  divert  the  current  of  daily  life.  Such  men  are  pMnted 
at  aa  having  one  idi*a;  lli  m  is  questioned  ;  they  are  t!  '  ule. 

And  when  the  result  dcii:  -   the  accuracy  of  ihiir  con  niay 

fiurly  bow  at  once  to  their  discernment  and  un<ler>itanding,  whether  it  detected 
a  possibility  or  coniprebonded  a  neces5«ity  which  others  overlooked. 

'*  At  this  point  let  us  pause  to  make  a  distinction  of  cardinal  importance.  We 
have  hitherto  considered  the  qualities  of  the  inventor's  mind,  and  the  succeasive 
steps  of  the  process  by  which  it  accomplishes  its  end.  Another  element  now 
co^lplicates  the  problem.  The  invention  is  to  go  forth  to  the  world,  and  to 
establish  certain  relations  between  the  world  and  the  discoverer. 

"  Up  to  this  point  it  is  quite  obvious  that  an  invention  may  be  made  ;   that  it 
may  grow  from  an  original  hint  into  a  theory,  which  agaiu  may  be  continued 
beyond  a  doubt  by  the  test  of  repeated  experim«»nt,  and  yet  that  the  ^v] 
cess  may  be  confined  to  the  inventor's  miud — to  his  own  cognizane^. 
as  he  thus  retains  it  for  his  own  benefit  or  for 

world  stand  in  his  debt?     Clearly  not.     The  d<  1 

inventor  is  a  d(  ion  of  gratitude  and  honor — gm  i 

of  a  great  in  Veil  uor  to  intellectual  ability.     To  tli  .    1 

in  the  case  of  certain  astronomical  discoveries,  for  example,  not  immediaieiy 
concerned  in  the  direct  welfare  of  mankind,  but  the  product  of  vast  and  rac«f^ 
nized  intellectual  power. 


164  DR.   WM.   T.   a   MORTOlSr. 

"  But  when  a  discovery  becomes  great,  not  from  the  character  of  the  intellect 
invested  in  it,  hut  from  its  immediate  applicability  to  the  amelioration  of  the 
condittion  of  humanity,  then  the  gratitude  and  honor  conceded  by  the  world  is 
a  mere  equivalent  for  value  received.  The  world  will  not  concede  this  gratitude 
until  they  have  received  the  value.  They  will  only  concede  it  to  the  source 
through  which  they  receive  it,  and  they  will  examine  very  closely  the  claims  of 
those  who  may  claim  to  have  acted  as  agents  in  the  matter. 

"  To  investigate  this  last  position  further  r  The  world  is  to  bestow  a  large 
reward  in  honor  and  in  gratitude,  but  requires  indisputable  evidence  of  merit 
on  the  part  of  the  recipient.  It  is  prejudiced  against  ex  poat  facto  claims, 
because  it  naturally  argues,  first,  that  one  who  had  made  the  invention,  and 
appreciated  it,  would,  in  anticipation  of  this  honor,  grateful  to  all  men,  have 
published  his  invention  when  he  made  it ;  and  secondly,  that  although  such  ex 
post  facto  claimant  be  a  real  inventor,  yet  he  is  so  only  in  relation  to  himself, 
or  those  with  whom  he  has  communicated ;  and  as  he  either  could  not,  or  did 
not,  make  the  world  at  large  feel  the  full  value  of  it,  so  they  owe  him  nothing. 
Such  is  ample  reason  for  the  world's  prejudice  against  such  claims. 

"  This  suspicion  of  inventors,  who  do  not  appear  until  after  the  world  has 
been  made  to  recognize  a  discovery,  is  also  justified  by  the  remarkable  fact  that 
hardly  an  invention  of  importance  was  ever  made  known  that  it  was  not  at 
once  claimed,  often  simultaneously,  from  a  variety  of  sources.  It  is  perfectly 
natural  that  it  should  be  thus  claimed.  The  world,  whether  in  science  or  in 
art,  is  built  up  to  a  certain  point  by  the  easy  and  wide  transmission  of  knowl- 
edge, and  upon  this  elevation  stand  a  multitude  of  philosophers,  engaged,  often, 
in  identical  researches,  and  who  will  be  possessed  of  much  information  upon  the 
subject  to  which  a  discoverer  first  gives  utterance.  The  world  is  then  liable  for 
a  short  time  to  confound  their  claims,  to  confuse  the  perfect  with  the  imperfect 
knowledge;  the  incomplete  result  of  few  facts  with  the  complete  demonstration 
from  many ;  the  unproved  with  the  indisputable ;  theory  with  fact.  But  the 
law  of  the  land  has  left  no  doubt  upon  this  point.  Before  ceding  a  patent  it 
first  identifies  a  discoverer.  Here  is  an  opinion  from  the  claar  head  of  Judge 
Story  :  **  He  is  the  first  inventor  in  the  sense  of  the  act,  and  entitled  to  a  patent 
for  his  invention,  who  has  first  perfected  and  adapted  the  same  to  use;  and 
until  it  is  so  perfected  and  adapted  to  use,  it  is  not  patentable.  An  imperfect 
and  incomplete  invention,  resting  in  mere  theory,  or  in  intellectual  notion,  or  in 
uncertain  experiments,  and  not  actually  reduced  to  practice,  is  not  and  cannot 
be  patentable  under  our  patent  acts.  In  a  race  of  diligence  between  two  inde- 
pendent inventors,  he  who  first  reduces  his  invention  to  a  fixed,  positive,  and 
practical  form  would  seem  to  be  entitled  to  a  priority  of  right  to  a  patent 
therefor.* 

**  And  the  actual  history  of  discovery  and  invention  is  conclusive  upon  these 
points.  The  world,  if  it  has  doubted  awhile,  has  always  been  right  in  the  end. 
The  man  who  has  first  generalized  the  proposition,  and  first  made  the  world 
allow  that  it  was  thus  generalized,  has  been  the  inventor.  ^ 

"About  1750  one  Snltzer  published  an  account  of  the  peculiar  taste  arising 
from  the  contact  of  bits  of  silver  and  of  lead  with  the  tongue.  Forty 
years  after,  Galvuni  brought  metals  in  contact  with  a  frog's  leg.  In  each  case 
a  hint  was  received.  Sultzer  published  it,  but  the  world  were  not  impressed 
with  its  importance.  Galvani  pursued  the  hint  with  numerous  experiments ; 
demonstrated  that  the  j)henoraena  resulted  from  a  new  modification  of  absti-act 
i'oi-ce;  compelled  the  world  to  recognize  it,  and  was  the  discoverer. 

"  The  younff  countrywoman  at  Sodhury  said  of  small-pox,  I  cannot  take  that 
•  liseasc!,  for  luave  had  cow-pox  !  The  l)uches8  of  Cleveland  said  she  had  no 
i'ear  about  her  beauty,  for  she  had  had  a  disorder  which  would  prevent  her  from 
ever  catching  the  small-pox.  Were  these  discoverers  1  No.  They  furnished 
the  isolated  hint,  and  made  no  further  experiments.     Jenner,  with  infinite  en- 


DR.    WM.    T.    O.    MORTON.  1G5 

V  nnd  por5«ovcrancP,  tlironjrh  many  !«ucco!isive  yonr?,  in  ppito  of  ricliciil*',  at 
pmvrd,  not  that  cow-pox  mifrlit  protcit  tlio  svrtem,  hut  that  it  always  would 
tliui^  protect  it,  and  that  it  was  safe.     He  generalized  the  single  fact,  and  wau  a 
di^covHrer. 

"  Many  ex])frimrntorP  rai.-'ed  thoir  voice  to  pay  that  they,  too,  had  wiped  up 
acid?  with  a  towel,  which  luul  then  burned  like  powder.  Schonhein  wa«  the 
lin*t  to  make  the  world  allow  that  cotton,  treated  by  a  certain  procens,  always 
would  thus  hum. 

"  The  Abbe  Nollet  suspected  the  identity  of  the  electric  fluid  and  of  light- 
_'.  and  cxprrinn'iits  were  made  in  France.     Franklin,  braving  th(!  ridicule  of 
!«',  flew  hir*  kite,  and  by  this  and  subsecpient  experimi  nts  with  a  lightning- 
rod,  he  proved  that  the  electric  fluid  was  thus  identical. 

Adams  made  a  calculation  with  i:egard  to  the  existence  of  a  new  planet,  and 
?ouUl  not  or  ilid  not  compel  the  world,  through  the  astronomer  royal,  to  listen 
o  him.  I^everrier  calculated  a  result,  compelled  the  world  to  recognize  its  in- 
rinsic  greatnesj,  and^  the  magnitude  of  his  own  mathematical  power,  and  wa** 
he  discoverer. 

*'  Jonathan  Hull,  the  Abbe  Anial",  the  Earl  of  Stanhope,  Franklin,  and  oth- 
'rs,  proposed  to  propel  boats  by  steam.  They  tried  it,  and  failed  to  persuade 
he  world  of  the  expediency  or  value  of  the  method.  Long  after,  Fulton,  im- 
)r<"ssed  with  the  immense  importince  of  tin?  subject,  miuh;  a  scncs  of  e'xperi- 
neuts  and  calculations,  di-cenied  the  canse  of  previous  failures,  persevered 
hrongh  ineotieeivable  ditficulties,  and  in  the  face  of  ridicule  Ik;  felt  but  did  not 
•irld  t'»,  (Irmoustrated  a  pmposition — not  that  steam,  a  long-recogniz'^d  power, 
night  be  made  to  move  a  boat,  but  that  it  could  do  <?o  etliciently  and  j)rolitably. 
le  first  compelled  the  world  to  recognize  this  great  fact,  and  was  the  discoverer 
f  this  alwtract  tnith.  and  the  inventor  of  a  profitable  steamboat. 

"  A  huuflred  other  in:^tanc€S  might  be  cited  to  show  that  the  man  to  whom 
he  original  hint  occurs  is  not  the  invintc^r;  nor  yet  he  who  forms  a  th'^ory  upon 
his  hint ;  nor  even  he  who  publishes  this  theory,  if  he  does  not  convince  other 
eople  of  its  truth.  This  last-may  readily  occur.  A  man  may  happen  upon  a 
^rtunate  theory,  and  yet  not  appreciate  it3  value,  so  he  gives  himself  no 
rouble  to  proclaim  it ;  or  perhaps  his  proofs  arc  not  conclusive,  and  the  world 
-ill  not  believe.  Goethe  knew  this  when  he  said,  '  Many  things  may  be  dis- 
overed  and  made  known  for  a  long  time  without  producing  any  cfiVct  on  the 
'■orld,  or  the  eftect  may  be  wrought  without  its  being  observed — wrought  and 
et  not  tiike  hold  of  tiie  multitude.  This  is  the  reason  why  the  history  of  in- 
entions  is  so  surrounded  with  strange  riddles.' 

"He  is  the  inventor  who  generalizes  tht^  single  inataDce,  and  who  makes  the 
'orld  concede  that  it  is  thus  generalized. 
"Now,  if  there  is  any  one  point  which  has  identified  the  true  inventor's  mind, 
has  been  an  invincible  detennination  to  compel  the  world  to  recognize  the 
ality  and  value  of  its  invention.  Tiio  inventor  saw  it  himself  when  other  men 
)ul(l  not,  and  he  determined  that  other  men  should  see  it,  and  he  accomplished 
s  determination.  'He,'  Sidney  Smith  says,  in  tlic  Edinburgh  Review,  'is 
3t  the  inventor  who  first  sai/.f  the  thing,  but  he  who  says  it  so  long,  loud,  and 
early,  that  he  compels  mankind  to  hear  him.' 

•Recognize  this  point,  and  the  question  of  invention  is  comparatively  simple, 
et  it  is  not  recognized.  There  is  no  abatement  of  claims  to  previous  invention, 
he  writer  of  a  life  of  Fulton  well  says:  'Those  who  question  ^Lr.  Fulton's 
aim  are  precisely  those  who  have  been  utterly  unsuccessful  in  their  own  at- 
pts;  and  it  would  seem  that  exactly  in  pro|K)rtion  as  their  efibrts  were 
>ortive,  and  as  they  had  thrown  away  money  in  fruitless  experiments,  their 
"ms  rose  in  their  own  estimation,  and  that  of  their  partisans.'  And  the  wit- 
I  believe  before  the  House  of  Commons,  probably  did  not  overstate  the 
tter  when  he  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that  if  a  man  were  to  show  that  he  had 


IGQ  DR.    WM.    T.    G.    MORTON. 

found  a  road  to  tlie  moon,  his  neighbors  would  testify  that,  if  they  had  not  been  . 
there  themselves,  they  knew  several  individuals  who  where  familiar  with  the 
road  in  question. 

"The  above  considerations  have  been  presented  with  the  intention  and  desire 
of  cxpo.^iinpj  the  authority  of  precedent  with  impartiality.  1  have  wished  that 
the  reader  should  not  lean  to  one  or  the  other  side  of  the  ether  controversy,  until  all 
these  considerations  were  presented.  It  remains  to  show  their  bearing  upon  the 
gist  of  the  evidence  contained  in  the  statements  which  have  been  made  in  behalf 
of  Dr  Jackson  and  of  Dr.  Morton.  The  considerations  alluded  to  bear  upon 
four  principal  points : 

'•  I.  The  character  of  the  mind  and  education  required  for  discovery. 

**  2.  The  suggestion  of  the  discovery. 

**  3.  The  generalization  of  this  suggestion. 

"  4.  Its  presentation  to  the  world. 

"  1.  This  community  is  familiar  with  the  great  scientific  talent  and  attainment 
of  Dr.  Jackson,  Dr.  Morton  has  acuteness,  ingenuity,  zeal^and  perseverance. 
The  discovery  is  not  of  a  character  to  have  demanded  extensive  scientific  ac- 
quir€'ment,  and  it  is  probable  that  either  Dr.  Jackson  or  Dr.  Morton  might  have 
made  it. 

**  2.  The  suggestion  occurred  to  Davy,  Jackson,  Wells,  Morton,  and  many 
others.  Horace  Wells  seems  to  have  conceived  this  hypothesis  more  distinctly 
than  any  other  individual.  So  persuaded  was  he  of  its  probability  that  he  made 
several  experiments,  and  even  made  a  journey  to  the  Medical  Class  at  Boston, 
before  whom,  however,  he  entirely  failed  to  verify  his  theory.  He  then  aban- 
doned it,  until  it  was  confirmed  by  Dr.  Morton.  Dr.  Jackson  fiiils  to  prove 
that  Dr.  Morton  was  ignorant  of  the  hypothesis,  until  he  suggested  it  to  him, 
because  Dr.  Morton  shows  by  the  evidence  that  he  was  considering  the  proper-|8uci 
ties  of  ether,  at  the  intervals  both  of  three  months  and  of  three  days,  before  his 
interview  with  Dr.  Jackson. 

"3.  I  have  shown  that  he  who  verifies  the  suggestion  is  the  real  discoverer 
Dr.  Morton,  according  to  the  evidence,  did  generalize  this  discovery.  He  veri- 
fied the  suggestion,  from  whatever  source  it  emanated.  lie  made  and  modified 
the  experiments  at  his  own  discretion.  He  assumed  the  responsibility  of  dan- 
ger. He  first  conclusively  demonstrated  of  ether — first,  that  it  would  alwaya 
produce  insensibility  to  pain ;  second,  that  it  was  safe.  These  two  points  con-g 
stitute  the  discovery.  Dr.  Morton  demonstrated  these  points,  and  no  one  else  ^ 
did. 

"  To  show  that  Dr.  Morton  was  only  a  "  nurse  " — an  instrument  of  pre-estab- 
lished knowledge — such  knowledge  must  be  proved  to  be  pre-established.  11 
is  impossible  for  human  reason  to  infer,  upon  the  experiments  put  in  evidence 
by  Dr.  Jackson,  either  that  ether  was,  first,  universal  in  its  eficctS;  or,  second  , 
that  it  was  safe.  It  must,  therefore,  be  argued  that  this  knowledge  was  noiju 
pre-established;  that  Dr.  Morton  was  not  a  mere  administrator,  but  that  he  waij\;  ■ 
an  originator.  P 

"  4.  Lastly,  many  may  have  been  the  real  discoverers  of  ether  insensibility  t(n'"^( 
pain,  and  at  a  remote  period.     But  if  so,  they  have  kept  it  to  themselves,  «iu4j^ 
they  will  ])e  known  as  discoverers  only  to  themselves.     The  world  has  alway»iijj,| 
honored  that  individual,  among  such  discoverers,  who  presented  his  discover}! loipi 
to  them.     Dr.  Morton  was,  according  to  the  evidence  in  print,  both  the  priim 
mover  and  the  immediate  agent  in  the  introduction  of  this  discovery  to  th« 
world." 


Ee( 
Let 
IdIi 
Am 

JCl 

ar 
Dr.: 
Vak 
Pros 
Attii 
Uses 
Allef 
Oppu 


LI 
BAtTIMOr 

-  PENT  A 


fp-'i't,, 


•f 


m^ 


LIBRARY 

BALTIMORE   COLL^QE   OF 
DENTAL  SUftQfcKY 


INDEX  TO  APPENDIX 


'     '                  '                •' ri'^r  to  tu'' 'iiscovcrjr. 7 

tlitH^rj  of  etiiorizatiou ....  11 

u.  .     «.»    v.m,     .  A,....iU.'UU 13 

^  ether  to  a  dog *.. ....  .....<.. 18 

ivors  to  hire  pcrs'jnfi  to  Uikc  ether...... ......  ...... ........  15 

limeiitA  upon  himbolf. 17 

r  real  verification 18 

rinifntJi  upon  iiis  Rliuient*< 16 

i  I,-'  painleiw  opemtiou  oi»  miiii. - 18 

C-oulitiou  <«f  diHCovt-ry  at  this  time 19 

Dr    Murtun  in  liaD^er  of  being  iDilict^ed  for  manslaughter 35 

Melton  tjikes  lueisures  to  make  tho  discovery  public 21 

E,irly  optMntioiiH 20 

riiris  c«>ii8**nt  to  cxperimeut  at  ilOnpit<^l _ 21 

Jlu*  first  public  trial 23 

De-criptiuu  of  first  operation  at  bor^pitiil 23 

The  public  atteQd  at  the  hospital  iu  larg'i  aunil)er6  to  witness  the  first  capital 

uporaii  »n .- .- 26 

Ro< ord  of  the  MaKsachufert!*  Goneral  HospiUil 24 

Utters  of  Dr    Morton  to  the  i^urgical  staff,  disclosing  the  nature  of  the  agent  used  26 

[nhaling  apparatus 18 

Announcement  in  England 38 

succesH   attended    the  exi>erinient«>  in   Europe  noon  as   Dr.   Morton's   apparatus 

arrived 32 

>    Morton  offi-rs  it  to  the  War  and  Navy  Departments  during  Mexican  war 34 

^'alue  of  the  disrovory. 28 

r<»secutions  threatened  for  administering  ether  at  all 36 

Vttitudc  of  the  mfdiail  profewion 30 

Jses  of  discovery  indcpendt«nt  of  surgery 74 

UlegL-d  injurious  effects  upon  patient« 35 

Jppobiiion  in  medical  journuls 30 

'  ngresa  deems  it  of  Ux>  litile  importance  to  make  a  report  upon  the  subject 34 

Jnwillingness  of  botspitaU  to  allow  it  U)  be  used ....  30 

ysteni;itic  attacks  upon  tht;  iliscovery - 35 

(oliirinii-;  (.bjections 30 

roliil)iiii)n  of  the  Council  of  Zurich 30 

'rop(»>iti.ti  ill  Fiiincf  t«>  pasd  au  ordkiance  t<j  prohibit  8;ilu  of  ether 38 

'arisiiin  ac.ulomiLi.inH  d«cliui'd  ltd  use .- 30 

ieasons  for  procuring  a  pateot.... 31 

ublications  diffusing  knowledge  of  the  discovury 31 

'ublications  to  overcome  <»pposition  to  tim  use  of  the  discovery 36 

issi.-,tant8  employed  to  introduce  iliscovery " 32 

trtiuious  exertions  to  intnxliue  the  discovery,  and  cvifleuce  of  the  same.......  32 

)e«lruction  or  his  professional  busiues?; -. 32 

jury  to  his  health 32 

Ither  and  apparatus  furnishecl  to  the  profe«*or  without  charge 33 

'isits  different  cities  in  the  United  States  to  introiluce  the  discovery 33 

.mple  provision  for  testing  the  tliscovery  at  home 34 

etition  of  the  Medical  btaff  of  the  Maseachuscttd  General  Hoepit&l  to  purchase 

the  patent 38 

eport  of  Congress  for  1849 ......'.... 40 

eport  of  Congress  for  1852 40 

e-affirmed  by  the  Military  Committee  of  the  Senate - 40 

etition  of  members  of  the  Mjissachusetts  Medical  Society 62 

etters  of  the  Surgeon  General  and  Chief  of  the  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery 

and  surgeons  in  the  army  and  navy 76 


II  INDEX    TO   APPENDIX. 

Letters  of  the  Secretary  of  War  and  Navy 77 

Passage  of  a  bill  in  the  Senate  for  the  relief  of  the  discoverers 41 

Dr.  Morton's  protest  to  the  Executive .  41  ! 

List  of  members  of  both  houses  of  Congress  who  supported  the  protest 42 

Decision  of  the  Surgeon  General  and  Chief  of  Bureau  of  Medicine  and  Surgery,  , 

at  the  request  of  the  Executive,  on  the  above  protest 43' 

Direction  of  the  President  of  the  United  States  that  the  subject  be  judicially  in-  ■ 

vestigated 45 

The  proceedings  of  the  medical  profession  of  Boston,  New  York,  and  Philadelphia.  49 

Morton  Testimonial  Association ... _  48 

Extension  of  patent  refused ... ..-_ 72 

Dr.  Morton's  administration  of  ancethetics  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg 73  ^ 

Use  of  the  discovery  by  the  army  and  navy .....  76 

The  course  of  foreign  governments  in  similar  cases ---.«  75 

Precedence  of  our  own  government  in  similar  cases .' > 75 

An  account  stated - 39 

Evidence  of  the  same 31  to  38 

Narrative  of  discovery  and  Dr.  Morton's  connexion  with  it.     Appendix  A 7 

Analysis  of  the  testimony  of  contestants  for  the  honor  of  the  discovery.  Ap- 
pendix B '. 97 

Extracts  from  the  reasoned  reports  of  the  committee  of  the  House  of  Represen- 
tatives of  1849  ;  also  extracts,  with  notes  appended,  from  the  agreed  report  of 
1852,  signed  by  a  majority  of  the  members  and  certified  by  the  clerk  of  the 
House  of  Repesentatives,  but  not  presented  for  the  want  of  opportunity.  Ap- 
pendix C 115 

Precedents  for  the  appropriation  asked  for 75 

A  summing  up  of  the  abstract  question  of  discovery 15b 


U.S.  Cooycw%.  ScoxiW.  Go*-r»mitVc*  9n 


^epo^V. 


3i^57  000730b3fl 


UNIV.  MD.  HEALTH  SCI.  LIBRARY 


■p  ma?  QDD730b3  fi