New-York tribune., 1871-07-28

always he ready In case Of accident in the employment OF
ether But after the coWplote triumph OF Dr Morton
wasacknowcdgcd Dr. Jackson announced dthh' hVc years
before lac had himself "Infeued' That such
success would bc tie result, VERY Much IN
the samc manner" the pamphlet before MS sug-
rests Gas when In 1S57 he claimed TO have
invented the magnetic telegraph and TO have communi-
Gated his invention 10 Professor Morse in 1892" But
mere "nerences" II not supported by practical demon
stration were OF no value in establishing So important
discovery of Dr. Jackson the writer OF the pamphlet
very perneny inquiries, "knew all about the capabili
ties OF ether to relieve human suffering why did
he allow humanity 20 remain in pain for
five years and this 100, when, by procaimng his dis
covcry he was sure OF immortal famel Dr. Jacksons
differences were, in fact, nothing than sugGes
tions such a Sir Humphry Davy made q halfcentury
ago about nitrous oxide gas. DR.. Morton the con-
trary in coming forward as he did with the medical
profession generally opposed to him. assumed fearful
moral and legal responsibility" The report OF the sue
cessful administration Of ether under the directions OF
DR.. Morton, everywhere spread with great rapidity.
Able surgeons throughout the civilized world welcomed
tine discovery Of the greatest hoons ever vouch
safed TO man, placing the name Of Morton by the side
Of Jenner, Stephenson, Morse, and other dis
tinguished benefacOrs Of our race. The connection
Of Horace Wells with the discovery is clearly set
forth in paper by DR.. Henry j. B'gelow, show
ing that "ntrous oxide in the hands of Horace Wells,
sometimes succeeded but It also failed in his final
experiment IN Boston," aud concluding that he was not
tue disooyerer Of modern an9sthesa,-a triple dscov-
ery involving three conditions, "nevitable complete,
and safe" notable failure to fulfill or the other or
which would render It of little value. These three con-
ditions first fulfilled by Dr. Morton in the admins
traton Of ether "The discovery OF modern anasthesa
was made with ether. No previous an9stheto had
accomplished such results. No subsequent anesthetc
has effected more" The statements OF the pamphlet
confirmed by various documentary evidence, which
appears TO admit of but conclusion and by the
highly respectable character OF the Committee,
which includes the OF DR.. Charles G. Put
nam, Dr. George Hayward, Dr. Henry l. Bowditch, Dr.
John c. Warren Dr. Francis MnOt, Mr. j. Ingersol Bow
ditch Mr. william Whiting, and others Of Boston, Dr'
Peasee Dr. Willard Parker, aud Professor e r. b. Morse
OF ewYork. and DR.. s. d. Gross, DR.. Dacosta ana D.
Weir Mitchell OF Philadelphia. Dr. Morton died poor
having been obliged give up business, and to spend all
his time and most Of his property and finally 10 sacr
fee his lie in defense Of Lis rights as the author OF
the great discovery. His monument at Mount Auburn
bears the following inscription, which may DO taken as
the exponent OF wide public opinion in Massachusetts,
Inventor and Reveaer Of AuGsthetc Inhaaton before
whom in all time, surgery agony by whom pain In
surgery averted and annulled, whom science
has controlled pain"