Assignment 7- Annie Varner

Assignment 7- Annie Varner

Annie Varner- 1st Hr AP Eng

September 30, 1846:

September 30th, 1846 became the first day that experimental anesthesia was used by Dr. William Morton.  William Thomas Green Morton, born August 9, 1819, was born in Charlton, Massachusetts, and died on July 15, 1868, in New York, New York.  On this day American dental surgeon gave the first successful and public demonstration of ether anesthesia during surgery.  Dr. Morton was credited with the world's introduction and acceptance of surgical anesthesia.

The use of ether anesthesia on the patient's tooth extraction changed the medical world forever.  WTG Morton became the father of modern anesthesia-- and paved a path for surgery forever.  Today, the widespread use of anesthesia can be largely credited to Dr. Morton and his discoveries.

His work put an end to the impractical and unsuccessful use of alcoholic beverages and various herbs which doctors previously relied on.  I appreciate this event and even admire the courage of Dr. Morton.  And although not recognized as a national holiday, this nation was forever changed by his discovery.