The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-07-02
Tho AnGsthctic Eject Of Ether Discovered
nb0ut 1899.

10 ne Editor oJfhe Sali
SIN: few weeks since your paper contained
n short article stating that the la,, DE-. Simpson Of
Edinburgh had given ether To the Qseeu In 1871 ~
the birth Of onc OF her chidrcn. That DR. Simpson
justly claims tho disc 1ycry o. 10 effect Of chlorJ.
form apns,hetic. bolioyc il universally al.
micl; bat that the ll'c DE-. Wells of H.r;forl W.,
the first one who paDlicly demonstrated aoe,thcsa
a practical fact Ivy the Of nitrous oxyde gls
II would be dinlcult 10 disrroyc. link you will
admit the historical interest tia, sholl be attached
to the communication | now hand YOU and hope
my motive viii not be mlsconsiruaj especially when
the reader shall observe hoS .'ic crodl; it reflects
on my own sagscity.
On tie 10Th Of June, 1870 1 reformed the opera.
tion OF trepni1ing for nenralgic affection on Mrs
Bishop, wcll-EaJwn laly the WIDOW OF Prcsby-
terrain clergyman OF Easton. Pan1. The lady WI,
relative Of D.. Gross OF Philadelphia; and the late
Drs. Cooper, Som, and Henry, with several rela.
tivcs. were present Indeed, she was known to
every person residing in the city, and universally
beloved by all. A. the o?eritioa OF treplininy for
neurllgil wa, entirely novel. very well remember
the painful responsibility incurred from its serious
character ami hcr wen known bcnevo!once to the
poo- OF the city; but she insisted on IT, AMI I
operated nom \ conviction that II would care
ia-. window -s;s hal fallen on one side
Of the hei1 anl so injured one OF the parie;al
bones as to cause permanent aud oren agon
izing reuralgl. This accident hal occurred
In tho year ls.9, or furty-onc wears ago-whether
there was morbid growth Of bone beneath the
place whore TIC window sash fen, or only nm exterior
inv lived in the cicGtrX. could not be deter.
mined. ", concluded, In consultation. that there
was ST. much III, kenng Of the investing membrane
OF the hcuC IN that ore for circle Of NJ least an
inch and ha in diameter that It would BE- nccpssa-
nv TO remove disk of bone, including all the part
apparently diseased.
I was much surprised on entering the house tn
hnd the lazy seated opposite q lok ing-slass, and
smelling Mlth great couplacency four-ounce bottle
~ ether. nd ohser' I'd on entering the front door
two rows 81 dcuiJn Johns, from Gallon % two more
and mlSing pl'nll remark respecting their probl-
BILE conicutF WIS tod that q ey had contained
ether, AMI that the lady had "breathed Il
years. INsinly cutclyorrd 10 rrcvlil upon her to
lia awr, ~ = much more suitable rositiOn but she
tcclined, alleging that she had no fears whltever of
relieve. ! as'uutcd 10 her wish. and proceeded 10
elevate iAr nree-, AIRY se'ni,crcuhr portion OF the
sclrNtA az possible speed, as | did not imagine
TINT an cAccc lin -y attenulted and dec tie woman
could avoid some cnnyu. sive movement however she
mlSht en9urc tHe AuOs -quuHt use vi the saw. was
disa9. uiaisl. Sac acuily made a playful obserya.
ton during the time occupied by the pcision
ahu continued conyersing with M aud the modi-
ca Eun.lelhin durlug at least ten minutes or
more, III 'hc bone was removed. remember one
W ,I,,r Gnlnt expressions Regarding me probable
W us't t1Atf a. an NnustLellc either then or
since nrior 10 the period whcr is aursthctic
properties wore proclaimed ever passed NV
brain NJ only consolation when thinking
how near | had been TO the discovery, was
We complete cure or my excellent patient, and the
TN Dr. Wells have been cCuay dun when We an 50
well know the stupor pr oducri BY brandy and It's
often positive aaastle'lc Cncct in operations, when
taken Ga" 0"OIs nv the pat lent, rctully ordered
~ our~ry"s uii cveG wo re, TIA; iic.!Han's ano.
dyne rrcpartion of ctn en- has been universally
known inr iUndrc years tor quic;in. pain strange
10 say uid mol lead 10 q discovery,
EDWARD H. DIXON, NJ d.