An inquiry into the origin of modern anaesthesia

Front matter

IH'

lESTHESIA, truman Smitl)*

Oi^u-ft*- r I

Preface

The papers constituting this examination were, with the exception of the last chapter, originally published as communications in " The Medical and Surgical Reporter," at Philadelphia, under the nom de plume of " A Lover of Truth and Justice," and are now re-published with a view to a more extended circulation. I deem it proper to avow their authorship, and to assume the responsibility of the statements made, and views presented therein. The circumstances under which I was induced to undertake their preparation are fully explained at the opening of the IX Chapter, to which reference may be had. It is proper to state here that the friend there alluded to, (at whose instance I undertook the investigation,) is S. W. Butler, M. D., the able editor of the Periodical above named, whose love of truth and hatred of imposture led him to take a deep interest in the subject discussed in these pages. I should be sorry should it appear that I have done injustice to any one, which has been far from my intention. That I have presented the essential elements of the case, in conformity with the fact, I verily believe. In treating of this subject, I have been constrained to come to conclusions directly the reverse of those adopted by many characters of the first respectability. I would not impeach the motives of any one, but I must believe that in most instances, the facts have been taken on trust, and that parties who have committed themselves to pretensions to which I stand opposed, have done so in many, and perhaps in most cases, with little or a very slight knowledge of the subject.

4 PREFACE.

It is astonishing with what facility, particularly in our large cities, men lend their names to the advancement of all manner of claims, schemes, and projects, with no better guide than vague impressions as to the facts, and with no other motive than a desire to oblige, or perhaps, to get rid of troublesome importunity. Hence it is no matter of surprise that Wm. T. G. Morton should have been enabled to produce to Congress whole tomes of certificates in furtherance of his designs on the U. S. Treasury, particularly as the city of Boston, from which most of them have come, has long been laboring under a species of mania for certificating in his favor. But this is not the way to make a satisfactory disposition of a controverted question of discovery in science. It is indispensable that the subject should be considered on its merits. The facts on the one side and on the other should be carefully sought for; those facts should be thoroughly scrutinized, and accurately estimated or weighed, and an enlightened judgment, under the influence of the strictest impartiality, and the nicest sense of honor, should deduce from them the proper conclusions. A result thus obtained would be satisfactory to all just and reasonable men. It would, perhaps, be presumptuous in me to conclude that I am in a situation to exercise such judgment, though I am not conscious of being actuated by any other motive than a desire that the truth should prevail.

At any rate, I am safe in referring the whole matter to the judgment of an impartial public, where I most cheerfully leave it, — and here I close my labors for the right on a deeply interesting subject, — (labors for which I have had none the less zest because they have been gratuitous,) and bid adieu to the question of the origin of modern anaesthesia.

TRUMAN SMITH.

New Toek City, January 1st, 1867.

PREFACE.

The following remarks are from the pen of the editor of the " Medical and Surgical Eeporter," No. 12, N. S., Oct. 29th, 1864:

THE SURGICAL USE OF ANAESTHETICS.

We have brought to a close a discussion commenced some montlis ago in our pages, of the merits of the claim of W. T. G. Morton to tlie discovery of the application of anaisthetics to surgical uses. On this pretended claim, Morton has been urging upon Congress the appropriation of some tvvo hundred thousand, dollars as a remuneration for his sacrifices in prosecuting his discover)' and as an, acknowledgment of the benefits he conferred on the army and navy. On thesame giound he also levied contributions to a heavy amount on the medical pro-, fession, and obtained many signatures to a written testimonial awarding to him in the opiniun of the signers, the merit of the discovery.

Knowing that there was evidence to show that these pretensions were not well founded — that so far from being the discoverer of the application of anaesthetics , to Burijical uses, Morton had basely appropriated the discovery of another, and had imposed upon the medical profession and the public, and was engaged in a gigantic attempt to impose on the Govemmeni, we determined that the facts should be plainly set forth, and the scheme defeated. In this, as error must always shrink before trath, we have succeeded so well that we doubt whether he mil ever dare to appear again before Congress with his claim, or attempt any longer tohang- on the skirts of the medical prolessiou, from whom he deseiTes nothing but. contempt.

In a seres of eight or ten powerfully written communications published in our pages, it has been shown beyond tlie possibility of cavil, that Morton was not, and that Horace Wells was the discoverer of the application of anesthetics to sm-gical uses. These articles, remarkable for their scope, and the clearness of their argument and statement of facts, have been read by thousands of the medical profession with the greatest interest and attention, and have most effectually subscn-ed the cause of truth and justice. i- We are glad to know that the articles are to be revised and published in book <(•' form. During the late session of Congress, we, at our own expense, furnished copies of the Reporter, containing the communications as they appeared, to many of the members, and should the subject ever again be agitated before that body, it will not he a difficult thing to put a ciuietus upon it by placing these articles before the members. And Morton will find that he will have to meet the facts of the case face to face. Facts are stubborn things, and here is an effectual hairier to anv furtlier imposition on his part on the medical profession, or on the people of the Uaitcd States, or other nations eitlier, for if he had succeeded in procuring a grant

6. PREFACE,

from our Government, we believe he would have made it the basis of levying contributions on the medical profession and the Governments of other countries.

This discussion has occupied a good deal of space in our columns, but the subject was one of great importance, because truth and justice were at stake ; many in our profession had been unwittingly placed in a false position, and adetermincd effort was being made to procure from our Government, at a time when it could ill afford it, a heavy amount of money, which, if appropriated at all, should, by all the principles of right and justice, take an entirely different direction. Tho object is attained. The game is blocked. Our profession is vindicated. Truth and right and justice are upheld. The treasury is not depleted by a malappropriation of a large amount of its funds. And lastly, our readers have had a decided treat in a series of well-written argumentative papers on a very interesting subject.

LIFE OF HORACE WELLS, M. D.

I HATE been requested by the Hon. Truman Smith to write a biographical sketch of the late Horace Wells, M. D., of Hartford, Connecticut, whom I knew most intimately, and whose name and character I hold in very high esteem. I have consented to do so, not because I feel myself to be well fitted for the task, but because I consider it a duty to bear my testimony to the merits of the author of one of the greatest discoveries of modern times, and moreover I can not well refuse acceding to the wishes of one who has labored so long and so disinterestedly to repel imposture and to uphold the truth in this connection. Mr. S. has shown conclusively (as I am convinced) that the discovery of modern Anassthesia was in fact made by Dr. Wells, the honor of which constitutes the only inheritance transmitted to his family, and this they deem of priceless value.

The subject of this memoir descended from a true New England stock, and himself possessed in a marked degree all those qualities which characterize a New Englander, His ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Windsor, Conn., under a name supposed to have been originally Wills, but in the progress of time changed to Wells. The grandparents of Horace were Capt. Hezekiah Wells and Sarah Trumbull. Capt. Wells served with honor in the war of the Revolution, and was a man of much influence. He died March 8th, 1817. The old homestead which he built in East Windsor, Conn., one hundred and thirty years ago, still remains in the family.

Horace Wells, father of Dr. Horace Wells, married Miss Betsy Heath, of Warehouse Point, Conn., and soon removed to Hartford, Windsor Co., Vermont, where the subject of this sketch was born, Jan. 21, 1815. This son was the oldest of three children, the others being Charles Wells, M. D., now

8 LIFE OF HORACE WELLS, M. D.

practicing in Manchester, N. H., and Mary, wife of Capt. John Cole, a retired sea captain, now residing in Medway, Mass. Mr. "Wells, soon after the birth of his first child, purchased a largo and valuable farm at Westminster, Vt., just below Bellows Falls. This farm is pleasantly situated on the Connecticut river, and here in a beautiful and romantic spot, and surrounded by every comfort his father could furnish, the childhood of Horace was passed. The parents of young Wells were intelligent, and for that region, wealthy ; and having the opportunity, gladly gave their children every advantage for moral and mental culture, sending them to the best schools, and sparing no expense to make them useful members of society. When Dr. Wells had attained manhood he is said to have strongly resembled his father in general appearance, peculiarly active mind and generous disposition. The father died April 5, 1829. The mother of Dr. Wells afterwards remarried, and is now living in Westmoreland, N. H.

Young Horace was kept at a select school until he was thirteen years of age, and then went to Hopkinton, N. H., where he spent a year in a private school for boys, kept by an excellent teacher, Mr. Ballard, who entertained a very high opinion of the mental qualities of his scholar. Much of his education, before commencing business, was acquired at the academies in Amherst, Mass., and Walpole, N. H. During these latter years, he taught one district and many writing schools. Wliile at the academy in Amherst he became hopefully converted, and uniting with the church, ever after adorned the doctrine of his Saviour by a strictly religious life ; ho even at one period thought seriously of fitting for the ministry.

Young Wells manifested at an early day the traits so characteristic of the New England boy. He had a mind of uncommon restlessness, activity, and intelligence. He early manifested great inventive genius and mechanical talent, and after reaching manhood was known in Hartford as quite an inventor. He constructed and patented several machines which would unquestionably have paid well if pushed upon the market; but he considered Jds work done when the idea "was embodied and in working order, liis restless mind, regardless of pecuniary considerations, flow off to try its powers upon some other object of thought.

In tlie year 1834 he commenced the study of dentistry at Boston. The College of Dentistry was not then established, but Wells acquired the best professional education at that time possible, and after completing his studies opened an office in that city. The residence in Boston made him acquainted with medical men there, a fact which influenced him in seeking medical assistance at that place rather than in New York, at the time when he announced his great discovery, an occurrence he afterwards had deep reason to regret. Still he was not frustrated in his main design, viz., letting the world know how valuable his discovery was, for his visit to Boston and statement of his case did result as he hoped in its reception hj the world, yet in a manner greatly trying to one so artless and truthful, and so far removed from every taint of selfishness and dishonor.

Wells' ingenuity led him to invent and construct most of his dental instruments, and the dexterity and judgment with which they were used soon made him popular, and he speedily took rank among the first in a city justly celebrated for its skillful dentistry. I am sure his professional brethren will admit his high standing in the department to which he had devoted himself.

He had several students, among them John M. Riggs,Esq., now an eminent dentist, and Wm. T. G. Morton, Esq., of Boston, the latter of whom afterwards was one of those who laid claim to the discovery of tlie principle of anaesthesia. I mention the former of these, because Mr. Riggs was very active in tlie development of the idea which will immortalize Wells, particularly at the period when a little discouragement would probably have retarded, if it had not completely prevented its development. Mr. Riggs was moreover honored by being the first individual who ever operated on a patient under the influence of an anaesthetic ; he moreover did tliis on Wells himself, by extracting a tooth. Well it was, and

10 LIFE OF HORACE WELLS, M. D.

fitting, that the head which gave birth to so great a thought should itself furnish the first practical proof of its importance. Still, though very instrumental in aiding the great discovery, and most honorably connected therewith, Mr. Riggs has ever honestly given the credit to Wells, in whose brain the thought took its inception.

Dr. Wells continued in the regular exercise of his profession until the year 1844, making great improvements in his department, and inventions outside of it. He wrote and published in 1838 a treatise called "Essay on Teeth." He now built a beautiful cottage oij Lord's Hill, in a spot at first supposed not particularly eligible ; but his taste, cultivated by the romantic scenery of his younger days, soon developed the beauties of the situation, and a few years found the location and the region around selected for ' some of the most aristocratic houses in the city. About this period occurred an event which had a most important bearing on Wells' future career, and which is mentioned because showing the reason why and how Wells, Prof. Jackson, and Morton, (the three claimants) first came together.

Mr. Riggs had become possessed of a new and peculiar solder for plate work, a great desideratum in dentistry, whereby eigh teen-carat solder could be made to flow on eigh teen-carat gold. Wells proposed to set up an office in Boston, and by help of this, thought a great business could be done. The terms of partnership could not be agreed upon, nor would Riggs part with his secret. Wells then set to worTc, and speed- ■ ily discovered a solder of equal quality except not quite as beautiful. With this. Wells and his former student, Morton, went to Boston, opened an office, called on the chemist, Prof. Jackson, (who for a round fee certified to the value and purity of the solder) and commenced business. Tliis was what made Morton acquainted with Jackson, and wliy the aid of the latter was sought on a subsequent occasion. The partnership l^etweon Wells and Morton was brief, and the former returned to Hartford, leaving the latter in Boston.

In 1844 Horace Wells gave to the-world his wonderful discovery that surgery could be divested of pain,— a discovery

LIFE OP HORACE WELLS, M. D. 11

pregnant -with untold value to the world, but of almost unmingled woe and sorrow to himself and his afflicted family. Often have I heard his widow declare that this great boon to the world " had been to her and her family an unspeakable evil ;" for it cost the life of her husband, and substituted the "res angusti domi" in place of a lucrative profession and a happy home. Knowing Wells intimately, living beneath the same roof at the time when he went to Boston to announce his discovery, and in almost daily communication with him during the whole period between the birth of his great thought and the hour when his dead body, a sacrifice to his zeal and love of truth, was borne from my own door to its last resting-place, I can, and do, bear witness before high heaven, that to Horace Wells only belongs the honor of giving to the world a discovery which has played a more important part, as respects siirgery, than any other ever made, unless we except Harvey's of the circulation of the blood. The full value of this discovery is not yet known ; after ages will make new applications and further improvements.

Wells knew nothing of Davy's suggestion, nor is it to be supposed reasoned out his discovery as one works out a problem ; neither he nor any one else could do this, but his mind directed to the subject, was prepared to seize a fact and draw conclusions therefrom.

This fact has been noticed a thousand times by other and more learned men, but not so close observers or so rapid rcasoners ; it was at once grasped and appropriated by Wells, who saw at a glance the consequences which must flow from a trivial occurrence. We omit further discussion of this theme, leaving it to the masterly hand of the Hon. Truman Smith, whose legal skill has presented the voluminous testimony collected, in so convincing a light, that it would seem impossible to render anything more certain by human testimony than Wells' right to this discovery. Let the profession read and digest it ; there can be but one conclusion.

Dr. Wells' health was much aifected soon after this discovery, and for a period he was obliged to suspend his professional labors, leaving to Mr. Riggs and other dentists the

12 LIFE OF HOKACE WELLS, M. D.

carrying out of his ideas. He paid a visit to Europe in 18-17, partly to seek liealtli, and also collaterally to interest Continental and English surgeons in his discovery. While m Pans he made the acquaintance of Mr. Brewster, an eminent American dentist settled in that city, and who was employed by the Royal family. Through his influence the subject was brought before the French Academy of Medicine, and he ever took a deep interest in the matter, and was a warm friend of Wells. The expenses of this trip to Europe were paid by the purchase of pictures which Wells imported and sold in the United States.

About this time, he amused himself by giving lectures on ornithology, a branch of natural history of which lie was fond, and in which well posted.

Dr. Wells died in New York on the twenty-fourth of Jan., 1818, aged thirty-three years, at a period when his claims were being acknowledged by Europe and America, and just as he received the announcement that the French Academy had honored him with the honorary title of M. D. He went to New York a few weeks before his death, for the purpose of introducing anesthetics in the hospitals and in dentistry. But the impression that chloroform was a better agent than nitrous oxide gas, or ether, led him, with his usual zeal, to experiment upon himself to a dangerous extent with this powerful and almost unknown agent. By this his mind is believed to have been injuriously affected, and this was soon conclusively indicated by acts wholly foreign to his nature. His unfortunate end, and the circumstances attending it, consummated the proof on this point — his reason had been upset, and there was nothing to stay the hand that cut the thread of life. The subject is too painful to render details expedient.

Dr. Wells was of medium height, with a head of remarkable size, complexion light, compactly built, of pleasing countenance and address, and of fine personal appearance. He usually walked the streets with downcast eye and thoughtful expression, but in conversation he was animated and cheerful. With unusually refined and sensitive feelings and retiring manners, he seldom songlit general society. As a citizen, lie was man of great purity of character, and of generous impulses, honoring religion by his walk and conversation ; as a son he was kind and dutiful ; and in his family relations an example of kindness and affection : in all these respects he was without spot. He was greatly respected in the community where he resided. Well does the writer remember the pall which overspread the community when the sad death of Dr. Wells was announced. He sleeps now in the Nortli Cemetery in Hartford, where his grave will in years to come be visite'd and honored by those who revere the memories of the benefactors of mankind, among whom Wells certainly was not the least.

His widow and only son survive, who with little pecuniary ability or foreign aid, and relying only on the force of truth, have contended eighteen years against the power of wealth profusely lavished, and all the machinery usually brought to bear in such cases : nevertheless truth is slowly but surely winning its way, and a few years will, beyond doubt, suffice to establish the discovery as that of Wells, not only in the opinion of the medical and surgical profession, but in tlie judgment of the whole scientific world.

Chapter I

ANESTHESIA — WHO FIRST DEMONSTRATED ITS PRACTICABILITY? AND WHO WAS THE FIRST TO BRING IT INTO USE?

It is well known that Wm. T. G. Morton has been for several years harassing the two Houses of Congress with imix)rtunities for a national recognition and reward for having conferred on humanity by far the greatest boon which has originated with the present century. In short, he claims to be entitled to the sole credit of being the first to discover the practicability of rendering the human system insensible to pain under surgical operations, and the first to apply with success, adequate means to that end. The state or condition to which the system is reduced, is called ansesthesia, and the means used to produce that state, anaesthetic agents. Those most employed are, nitrous oxyd gas, sulphuric ether, chloroform, and chloric ether, and the process is inhalation.

It is difficult to overrate the value or importance of this discovery, and that our country is entitlad to the honor of having made it, is admitted by the whole civilized world ; but when we come to descend from a whole people to the individual author, the question arises whether such author is to be found in Wm. T. G. Morton. Is it to him that we are indebted for detecting and revealing this great secret of nature ? If so, then no doiibt he should be regarded as a public benefactor, and should be abundantly honored and rewarded as such. He should be taken from comparative obscurity and raised to a position not less exalted than that occupied by the immortal Jenner, and the national treasury should be open to his requisitions to such an extent as to place him far beyond want, if not in affluence. But did anaesthesia, in the modern sense of that word, originate with Wm. T. G. Morton ? Was the great fact detected by his vigilance, or developed by his experimentation, or is he an imposter who has bedecked himself with the phimes of another, whose claims should be rejected with contempt, if not with indignation ?

On the 10th day of December, 1844, there resided in the City of Hartford, Conn., a citizen named Horace Wells, a native of Vermont, though he had made Hartford his home for a considerable number of years, a surgeon-dentist by profession, who possessed a quick eye and an acute mind with a philosophic turn, who was ardent, enthusiastic, susceptible, genial, and in every respect trustworthy, and whose physical constitution was as delicate as his moral and intellectual nature was sensitive. No man ever enjoyed the confidence of a community more entirely than he did that of Hartford. Enmity did not know him, and friendship and esteem every where attended his footsteps.

On the evening of this same 10th of December, 1844, this worthy man with his lady, attended at Hartfoi-d, a chemical lecture by Mr. G. Q. Colton, during or after which he administered to Dr. Wells, Samuel A. Coolcy, and several other persons the nitrous oxyd gas. Mr. Cooley on beuig brought under its influence, became unusually excited, and taking the floor performed sundry evolutions and gyrations thereon, during which he contused and abraded both of liis shins pretty extensively by collisions with the benches, which fact was noticed by Dr. Wells. On recovering his self-possession the Doctor inquired of him whether he felt any pain from the injuries he had received. He replied he was not conscious of having sustained any injury, but on piilling up his pantaloons blood appeared in profusion. Wells immediately turned to a friend sitting by, and expressed a belief that a man could by inhaling the gas, render himself so insensible that he could have a tooth extracted without pain. While escortino- his wife home he reiterated an expression of the same belief and again reiterated it to a brother dentist and a particular friend, on whom he called the same evening to canvass the subject. Having spent some time in considering the matter. Dr. Wells declared it to be his purpose to take the gas the next day and have a defective tooth (a large molar) extracted, and thus test the correctness of his theory. That is right ! exclaimed liis friend, it is hut just that we should commence with experimenting on ourselves. Accordingly tlio next morning Wells called on Mr. Colton, stated the facts which had arrested his attention, and his conclusions therefrom. Ho requested him to take a bag of the gas over to the office of the dentist already alluded to, which he did accordingly. On the parties there assembling Wells put himself in the operating chair. Colton administered the gas, and as soon as he was brought under its influence the dentist extracted the tooth, and Wells on recovering his consciousness, exclaimed, '■'■A new era in toothpulling ! It did not hurt me more than the prick of a pin ! "

There are not a few persons of high intelligence who have given this subject a particular consideration, who hold that there was here not only a conception of the anaesthetic idea but an actual parturition of it. That this offspring of genius was then and there brought into the world perfect and complete in all its proportions and parts, and that the strenuous endeavors which have since been made elsewhere to foist on the public other heirs to this inheritance of fame, can but be regarded as a base attempt to substitute for the true and the legitimate, the spurious and the illegitimate. I, however, purposely withhold my opinions for the present.

On the 30th day of September, 1846, there resided and still resides in Boston, Mass., the same Wm. T. G. Morton already named, also a surgeon-dentist, whose characteristics I do not propose to describe here, as my readers will be much better qualified to appreciate the justness and propriety of my strictures after they shall have been put in possession of facts which will subsequently appear. " Toward evening of the day last named, a man residing in Boston, came in, (meaning into his (Morton's) office,) suffering gi-eat pain, and wishing to have a tooth extracted, and asked if he could be mesmerized." He (M.) told him that he " had something better," and saturating his handkerchief with siilphuric ether, he " gave it to him to inhale. He became unconscious almost immediately. It was dark and Dr. Hayden held the lamp while " he " extracted a firmly rooted bicuspid tooth. There was not much alteration in the pulse and no relaxation of the 2 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 he (M.) considered " to be the first demonstration of this new fact in science." Such was the language used by Morton, himself, in his memoir to the Academy of Ai-ts and Sciences at Paris, describing his first anaesthetic experiment on a human being, (changing only the first person singular into the third,) and it is but candid to admit that I fully believe that the agent used was adequate and produced the effect desired, and that the man's tooth (whose name was Eben Frost) was extracted without pain, and therefore that he (M.) succeeded in performing on the occasion named, a genuine anaesthetic operation ; but my readers need be in no haste to conclude with Morton that it was " the first demonstration of this new fact in science."

On the same 30th day of September, 1846, there resided and still resides in Boston another citizen named Charles T. Jackson, a distinguished physician and surgeon and a learned prof\3ssor, whose name, position, and character for higli ability and many accomplishments are familiar to the intelligent public in the United States, and not unknown to the savans of Europe. Like, however, many other men of mark, he is not without his idiosyncracies — his bump of self-esteem would seem to be pretty extensively developed, and, perhaps, my readers may, in view of facts hereafter to appear, be disposed to inquire whether a morbid love of fame has not betrayed him into a line of conduct not very creditable to his good sense to say nothing of his fairness, candor and rectitude. For myself I am free to admit that I am disposed to exercise in this case m\ich of that charity which is said to " cover a multitude of sins."