Complete Record - Heirs of Hippocrates No. 1859

HENRY JACOB BIGELOW (1818-1890) Insensibility during surgical operations produced by inhalation. (In Boston medical and surgical journal. Vol. 35 (1846-1847), pp. 309-317, 379-382.) 23.5 cm.

The author, for almost forty years the dominant figure in New England surgery, was quick to recognize the value of ether after witnessing Morton's celebrated demonstration at Massachusetts General Hospital on October 16, 1846 (see No. 1873). Morton's plan to patent the new agent and his unwillingness to divulge its composition prevented further experimentation until Bigelow forced the issue. Three weeks later an amputation was performed using the ether, and Morton authorized Bigelow to publish a full account of its use resulting in this fascinating paper, the first published report of the new anesthetic. This volume contains several other articles and letters on anesthesia in surgery.

See Related Record(s): 1873

Cited references: Cushing B380; Garrison-Morton 5651; Osler 1355; Wellcome II, p. 166

Gift of John Martin, M.D.