The inhalation of an ethereal vapour to prevent sensibility to pain during surgical operations (pp.356-359). + Peirson, A.L.: Surgical Operations with the aid of the "New Gas" (pp.362-363).

Flagg, John Foster Brewster

Publication Date: 1846

About this Item

Boston Med. Surg. J., 35/18. - Boston, David Clapp, Wednesday, December 2, 1846, 8°, pp.349-368, orig. wrappers; in fine chemise in slip case. First Edition, in the extreme rare original wrappers! Upon the advice of friends, Morton, through his agent, Edward Warren, presented a memorial to the 29th Congress, 2nd Session, to have his priority to the ether discovery established and to request an award for the use of his patent (U.S. Patent No. 4848, November 12, 1846), which at that time was so important for the use of ether to provide comfort and care to those wounded in the war with Mexico. This first of many presentations to the U.S. Congress was heard by the Select Committee of the House of Representatives, consisting of five members, four of whom were physicians.* They listened but made no report, and their deliberations were not published. Members of the committee were apparently confused by the slanderous campaign against Morton by a group of dentists and a few physicians in Boston and vicinity, led by Josiah F. Flagg (1789-1853), a practicing dentist. This group's effort came to be known as the "Dental Manifesto" and was effective in ruining Morton's reputation, dental practice and income. -cf. Eugene H. Conner Abel Lawrence Peirson (1794-1853) "received his M.D. from Harvard University in 1816, and spent most of his professional life in Salem, Massachusetts, where he specialized in surgery. Peirson was present at the Massachusetts General Hospital on the occasion of the first use of ether. One month later he conducted his own trial of etherization, performing two lipoma removals and two amputations. In each instance the ether was administered by a dentist. These operations, published in the December 2nd Journal, represent the first reported surgical operations performed with the aid of ether anesthesia outside the Massachusetts General Hospital." Rutkow On the back cover we find W.T.G.Mortons add "To Surgeons and Physicians" and M.P.Hanson's add "Surgical Operations without Pain" - "M.P.Hanson, M.D., 10 Tremont Temple, Boston, is preapared to furnish Dentists and Surgeons generally with apparatus and instructions for the use of the COMPOUND VAPOR ANODYNE. All necessary instructions can be communicated by letter and apparatus sent by express. Terms low. Orders my be sent to my room, or to N.Hunt, Agent 128 Washington St.; Dec.2--if." Rutkow ANp7; ANp9. Seller Inventory # 22962

Bibliographic Details

Title: The inhalation of an ethereal vapour to ...

Publication Date: 1846

Binding: Soft cover

Edition: 1st Edition