committee are of opinion, that the exclusive claims advanced by Dr. Jackson, though now very extensively recognized in foreign countries, are unfounded, being unwarranted alike by his acts and by his omissions; and that they involve great injustice towards Dr. Morton ;-that their names will be forever jointly, though not equally, associated in this discovery; Dr. Jackson being entitled to the credit of having rendered readily available the existing knowledge upon the subject of ether, which Dr. Morton was really, though not avowedly, seeking to obtain ; and Dr. Morton having first demonstrated its safety and efficacy in the prevention of pain during surgical operations-and that Dr. Morton, by consenting to permit Dr. Jackson's name to be united with his in the patent, with the right to receive one tenth part of its profits, has shown himself disposed, fairly and honorably, to recognize the amount of his indebtedness to Dr. Jackson's advice.

The essential conclusions in the case may be thus concisely stated:

The committee are well aware, that any investigation and opinion which shall have the sanction of this board-emanating, as all must admit, from those who ought to know most of the circumstances of this discovery-will be entitled to great weight. That investigation has been conducted by the committee under a solemn sense of responsibility to the public, to posterity, and to the cause of truth and justice. Personal feelings have been laid aside. When this inquiry was instituted, neither of the committee had ever seen Dr. Morton; and both of them, on the other hand, were in friendly relations with Dr. Jackson. There had always existed between them and him feelings of mutual respect and regard. No friend of Dr. Jackson would willingly remove a merited laurel from the brows of one whose scientific attainments, upright intentions, and amiable character, all are happy to acknowledge. The committee, indeed, believe that he is honestly self-deceived in this matter.

We submit our report upon this subject to the board, in the assurance that it will receive their deliberate examination, and that its conclusions will be adopted, if at all, under a like solemn sense of responsibility.*

1st. Dr. Jackson does not appear at any time to have made any discovery, in regard to ether, which was not in print in Great Britain some years before. 2d. Dr. Morton, in 1846, discovered the facts before unknown, that ether would prevent the pain of surgical operations: and that it might be given in Accordingly, in a note published with the article referred sufficient quantity to effect this purpose, without dan-to, is the following sentence:-"Within the last few days, ger to life. He first established these facts by nu- which it is stated, that, for three months previously, all I have seen a pamphlet, dated Boston, May 30, 1847, in merous operations on teeth, and afterwards induced apparatus had been laid aside, and the sponge alone used the surgeons of the hospital to demonstrate its gen- for etherization, by Dr. Morton, of that city-the gentleeral applicability and importance in capital opera- man to whom, I believe, the profession and mankind are really and truly indebted for first reducing into practicê the object of annihilating pain in surgical operations." the production of insensibility by ether inhalation, with

tions.

3d. Dr. Jackson appears to have had the belief, that a power in ether to prevent pain in dental operations would be discovered. He advised various per-quiry has been pursued, may not perhaps be inappropriate. sons to attempt the discovery. But neither they nor he took any measures to that end; and the world remained in entire ignorance of both the power and safety of ether, until Dr. Morton made his experi

ments.

4th, The whole agency of Dr. Jackson in the matter appears to consist only in his having made certain suggestions, which led or aided Dr. Morton to make the discovery-a discovery which had for some time been the object of his labors and researches.†

*That such claims are really advanced by Dr. son, is well known. He said indeed to one of the committee, "I allow of no partnership in this matter. If your report takes from me such a proportion of the sole credit of this discovery as amounts even to the paring of a finger nail, I shall entirely object to it."

A few remarks upon the manner in which this inThe committee considered, that, as Dr. Morton alone assisted in the early experiments at the hospital, they were not strictly called upon to mention Dr. Jackson; but, inasmuch as Dr. Gay's pamphlet had been for some time before the world, and also Mr. Warren's reply, it seemed that the whole subject had been submitted by the parties to the tribunal of the public, and that the public would reasonably expect from this institution such a narrative of the facts as might be prepared from these and from other sources more especially within our reach. Both these pamphlets were therefore very carefully examined and compared; twenty-two individuals, most conversant with the subject, consulted; and the report subJack-stantially prepared. The committee then deemed it advisable to address a note to Dr. Jackson, informing him that Dr. Gay's pamphlet had been considered by them as containing a full statement of his claims; that if, however, he had any additional facts to communicate, the committee would be happy to receive them. The result was two personal interviews, besides one of three hours' duration (by express appointment) with Dr. Gay, in behalf of Dr. Jackson. Dr. Gay offered to prove certain facts, having no connection with or relation to this discovery, which the committee declined hearing. He also said he had other evidence of a strictly confidential character, which was also declined. He then proceeded to comment upon the testimony contained in Mr. Warren's pamphlet. All his arguments and objections upon this point have been fairly stated by the committee, from memoranda taken at the time; and the deliberate views of the committee, in relation to these objections, have been also stated. The committee, at this interview, wished to know the worst that could be suggested as to the credibility of these witnesses. Few remarks were therefore made to Dr. Gay, as to the sufficiency of his objections; but they were noted as subjects for future investigation. The committee may have said, "Well, putting this deposition aside for this ground, what is your objection to the next deposition?" But it was, on the other hand, distinctly suggested to Dr. Gay, that two of these witnesses were very favorably spoken of, and that the testimony of Whitman, whose character even Dr. Gay admitted to have been above suspicion, was obviously confirmatory of matters stated by the two witnesses referred to; and that

The results otherwise arrived at by the committee have received the highest confirmation from Professor Simpson, the discoverer of chloroform, who has transmitted to Dr. Morton a copy of his pamphlet, entitled, "Account of a New Anesthetic Agent, as a substitute for Sulphuric Ether, in Surgery and Midwifery," with the following note written upon one of its blank pages:

'My Dear Sir, I have much pleasure in offering, for your kind acceptance, the accompanying pamphlet. Since it was published, we have had various other operations performed here, equally successful. I have a note from Mr. Liston, telling me also of its perfect success in London. Its rapidity and depth are amazing.

"In the Monthly Journal of Medical Science for September, I have a long article on etherization, vindicating your claims over those of Jackson.

"Of course, the great thought is that of producing insensibility; and for that the world is, I think, indebted to

you.

"I read a paper lately to our society, showing that it was recommended by Pliny, &c., in old times. "With very great esteem for you, allow me to subscribe myself, Yours very faithfully,

"Edinburgh, 19th Nov. 1847."

"J. Y. SIMPSON."

DR. MORTON'S MEMOIR TO THE ACADEMY OF | Eddy and R. H. Eddy, and is authorized by them

SCIENCES AT PARIS, PRESENTED BY M. ARAGO, IN THE AUTUMN OF 1847. [The editor has himself read this memoir to Drs. Hayward, Townsend, and H. J. Bigelow, of the hospital, to Dr. Gould, and Messrs. Caleb

even Whitman's testimony alone was sufficient to prove that Dr. Morton was striving to realize the idea of this discovery, and was therefore irreconcilable with Dr. Jackson's exclusive claims.

to say that the facts which are within their knowledge are correctly stated. The editor was unable, owing to accidental circumstances, to read it to the other surgeons of the hospital; but it has been examined by them, and the editor is assured that they are satisfied with the statement of all the facts that came under their cognizance.

The reader who has gone through the evidence and the report of the trustees, cannot fail to observe, in his course through this memoir, how completely the statements of Dr. Morton therein are sustained by the evidence, and by the opinion of the trustees. In some important particulars he is supported by evidence obtained by the trustees long after the memoir had been presented, of the existence of which Dr. Morton did not know when he prepared the document.]

William T. Green Morton, of Boston, in the United States of America, surgeon-dentist, respectfully asks the attention of the Academy of Sciences to the subjoined memoir, intended to present a history of the course pursued by him which resulted in the demonstration of the great truth that the inhaling of the vapor of sulphuric ether, highly rectified, will produce insensibility to pain, in opeerations upon the human body.

He intends that this memoir shall state such facts only as illustrate the scientific character of the discovery, and shall not go into questions of personal controversy; but as the manner in which, and the person by whom, this discovery was made, have become matter of disputation, and as evidence on these points has been brought to the attention of the Academy in various ways, by other persons, he takes the liberty to subjoin, in an appendix, certain evidence, taken for a different purpose, which he desires to place at the disposal of the Academy, to be used by them in such manner as they shall see fit, or not to be used at all, as their usage or discretion shall determine.

The committee mentioned to Dr. Jackson, that they had obtained some new testimony in favor of Dr. Morton, (meaning the letters of Mr. Metcalf and of Dr. Dana;) but, believing that the testimony in these letters was of a nature not to be rebutted, the committee did not feel called upon to state the fact, that either of these two gentlemen had been consulted. The committee felt themselves perfectly free, like every one else, to form and to express an opinion upon a matter of universal interest and importance, and which indeed seemed to fall naturally within their peculiar province, even though they had not the previous permission of Dr. Jackson. Their report had been unanimously accepted by the trustees, and presented to and unanimously accepted by the corporation. While it was in process of publication, a note was received from Dr. Gay, alleging that he supposed his objections to the testimony in Mr. Warren's pamphlet were recognized by the committee as well founded, and protesting against the course pursued by the trustees of the Massachusetts General Hospital in giving "any countenance to the attempt of Mr. Morton to rob Dr. Jackson of his sacred right to his own discovery." Dr. Gay, in his note, significantly adds, that "Dr. Jackson has always, excepting in one unguarded moment, declined submitting his claims to any tribunal, either to be agreed upon by the parties, or self-constituted and forced upon him." He alleges that Dr. Jackson has much new evidence, that the investigation of the committee must necessarily have been partial, &c. This note of Dr. Gay was laid before the trustees, at a meeting held Feb. 6; but they deemed no action necessary thereupon. The committee claim no judicial powers or functions. Dr. Jackson is perfectly free to continue in his present determination of never submitting his exclusive claims to any human tribunal, or he may hereafter submit them to one which he shall regard as more competent or impartial. If, by any new evidence, he can establish these claims, he is still at liberty so to do. The committee can only state, that they have endeavored to prosecute their inquiries in a fair, cautious, and thorough manner, and that they feel the utmost confidence in the soundness of the conclusions at which they have arrived; and, conscious that no proIn the summer of 1844, being in the practice of ceeding or neglect on their part has justified the remarks of Dr. Gay, they here take leave of this subject forever. dentistry, and desirous to improve myself in chemThe committee make the following remarks on Mr. ical and medical knowledge, I studied in the office Wightman's letter:-The date of Mr. Wightman's com- of Dr. Charles T. Jackson, of Boston, and in order ing to Boston is fixed beyond all doubt. The circum- to employ my time to the utmost advantage, I restances connected with this occasion have been verbally sided in his family. One day, in casual conversastated to the committee, and are of a nature rendering, tion upon my profession of dentistry, I spoke of the in their judgment, a mistake impossible. This letter, then, proves that, prior to Sept. 28, 1846, or more than operation of destroying the nerve of a tooth, and two days before his interview with Dr. Jackson, Dr. Mor- remarked that there was always doubt whether the ton called on Mr. Wightman, alluded to some intended tooth could be restored to usefulness, inasmuch as discovery of great importance, and inquired about bags, the arsenic produced an irritation, and left a soresuitable for holding sulphuric ether. And it would seem probable that it was owing only to a casual suggestion ness often permanent. Dr. Jackson said, in a then made, that Dr. Jackson, rather than some other humorous manner, that I must try some of his learned chemist, was subsequently consulted by Dr. Mor-tooth-ache drops, and proceeded to tell me that at a time when he practised medicine, he occasionally extracted teeth for particular patients, and that in one instance, a patient who could not summon courage for the operation, asked him to apply something

ton.

MEMOIR.

The letter also proves that Dr. Jackson had heard from Mr. Wightman (as well as from Mr. Metcalf, see p. 23) facts which it seems difficult to reconcile with his Dr. Jackson's) conviction, expressed so strongly to the committee, that Dr. Morton was wholly ignorant of sulphuric ether, down to the interview with him. Dr. Jack-of no consequence. Accordingly, in his later interview son, and his friend Mr. Peabody, seem, indeed, to have with Mr. Wightman, Dr. Jackson said, in effect, “You been aware of the important bearing of Mr. Wightman's may be about right in your dates; but it is immaterial to testimony on this point. Therefore, in March, 1847, me, as I can substantiate my discovery as far back as they endeavored strenuously, but in vain, to satisfy him 1842." Unfortunately, Dr. Jackson, in the specification that he was mistaken as to the date of his first interview accompanying the patent, had, under oath, disavowed any with Dr. Morton, about the gas-bags. It would seem discovery prior to that which he made jointly with Dr. that Dr. Jackson had not yet resorted to the hypothesis, Morton; and the committee have proved that what Dr. that he had made his discovery in 1842; since that, of Jackson knew about ether in 1842 had been published by course, rendered all these transactions with Dr. Morton Pereira in 1839.

to alleviate the pain. He applied ether, and with success, for a few days afterwards a friend of this patient called to obtain some of the "tooth-ache drops," as he called them; but Dr. Jackson, not wishing to be troubled with dental business, told him he had none. Dr. Jackson then added, that as this ether might be applied with advantage to sensitive teeth, he would send me some. The conversation then turned upon the effect of ether upon the system, and he told me how the students at Cambridge used to inhale sulphuric ether from their handkerchiefs, and that it intoxicated them, making them reel and stagger. He gave no further intimation of the effect of ether, or of the manner of applying it. I may add that Dr. Jackson has confirmed my account of this conversation, in his own statement to Dr. Gould.

there I procured ether from the druggist's, and made experiments upon birds and other animals, endeavoring to get them under the effect of inhalation from it. These experiments produced no satisfactory result, and they being known among my friends, I was mortified and vexed, and bottled up the subjects, where they remain to this day.

In the autumn I returned to Boston, and finding that my business, owing to its interruption, required my constant attention, I was not able to pursue the investigation at that time.

to Dr. George Hayward, an eminent surgeon, who offered to permit the experiment, but as the earliest operation was not to be performed under two or three days, we did not wait for it, but went to Dr. Warren, whom we found engaged with his class. He told us that his students were preparing to inhale it that evening, for sport, and offered to announce the proposal to them, and ask them to meet us at the college. In the evening Dr. Wells and myself went to the hall, and I took my instruments. Dr.

In the course of the winter (1844-5) Dr. Horace Wells, of Hartford, Conn., a dentist, and formerly my partner, came to Boston, and desired me to aid him in procuring an opportunity to administer the nitrous oxide gas, which he said he believed would destroy or greatly alleviate pain under surgical opIn a few days after this conversation, Dr. Jack-erations. I readily consented, and introduced him son sent me a bottle of chloric ether, highly rectified, as he had offered. At the same time he sent a bottle to two other dentists of high respectability in Boston. I made an experiment with this ether in destroying the sensibility of a valuable tooth of a patient, Miss by direct application, telling her that the operation would be slow. I was obliged to apply it several times, but in the end the sensibility seemed to be removed, and the tooth is now, to my knowledge, in a useful condition.* About this time the wife and aunt of Dr. Jack-Wells administered the gas, and extracted a tooth, son were under my treatment for dental purposes, and it was necessary to extract teeth in each case, the operation being painful and the ladies showing an unusual degree of sensitiveness. The last named lady, in particular, before the extracting of each tooth, remained several hours in the operating chair, unable to summon courage to endure the operation, and begging to be mesmerized, or that I would give her something to make her insensible. Dr. Jackson was present and made efforts to encourage the lady, but did not suggest any mode of producing insensibility. His suggestions had not gone beyond the direct application of ether, in the same manner that laudanum and other narcotics have always been applied to sensitive teeth.

The successful application I had made of the ether in destroying the sensibility of a tooth, together with what Dr. Jackson told me of its effects when inhaled by the students at college, awakened my attention, and having free access to Dr. Jackson's books, I began to read on the subject of its effects upon the animal system. I became satisfied that there was nothing new or particularly dangerous in the inhaling of ether, that it had long been the toy of professors and students, known as a powerful anti-spasmodic, anodyne and narcotic, capable of intoxicating and stupefying, when taken in sufficient quantity. I found that even the apparatus for inhaling it was described in some treatises, but in most cases it was described as inhaled from a saturated sponge or handkerchief. Having some of the ether left which Dr. Jackson had sent me, I inhaled it from a handkerchief, but there was not enough to produce a greater effect than exhilaration followed by headache.

While investigating this subject 1 was taken quite ill, and it being the middle of summer, I was advised by my physician to go into the country. I took with me from Dr. Jackson's library, and obtained in other ways, several books treating on this and other subjects. I spent two months at the residence of my father-in-law, in Connecticut. While [* See Dr. Bemis' letter, ante, p. 539. The notes are by the editor, and are not in the original memoir.]

but the patient screamed from pain, and the spectators laughed and hissed. The meeting broke up, and we were looked upon as having made ourselves very ridiculous. I saw nothing more of Dr. Wells, but he left my instruments at my office very early the next morning, and went directly home. In July, being again in Connecticut, I called on Dr. Wells, and we spent some time in adjusting our former partnership accounts. He had then given up dentistry, and was engaged in conducting an exhibition of birds, which he said insured him better health. I went with him to the office of Dr. Riggs, where I spoke of the gas, and asked them to give some to me; but Dr. Wells gave me to understand that he had abandoned the experiment, thinking it could have no practical value.

In the autumn of 1845, I returned to my business, which had now become almost exclusively mechanical dentistry, or plate work, requiring me often to extract a great number of teeth at a time. Many of my patients suffered extremely, and some were obliged, as is the experience of every dentist, to postpone or abandon the supplying full sets of teeth. I had, therefore, everything to call my attention to the destroying or mitigating of pain under these operations, and great motive to induce me to follow up the subject. Finding that when closed up in a hollow tooth, and sealed with wax, ether would gradually destroy the sensibility of the part, I reasoned that perhaps when inhaled it might destroy or greatly alleviate sensibility to pain generally.

In the spring of 1846, Thomas R. Spear came to study with me, and hearing me converse upon the subject, he said he had inhaled ether at the Lexington Academy, where he was educated, and described to me its effects. This increased my interest in the subject, and I determined, as soon as the pressure of the spring business was over, to devote myself to it. In the mean time I tried an experiment upon a water spaniel, inserting his head in a jar having sulphuric ether at the bottom. This was done in the presence of two persons, at my house in West Needham, where I reside during the summer months. After breathing the vapor for

be dull and stupefied, that I could do what I pleased render the nerve insensible. I learned from Dr. with him, that he would not be able to help him- Jackson, also, in 1844, the effect of ether when inself. Finding the subject open, I made the inqui- haled by the students at college, which was corries I wished to as to the different kinds and prepar- roborated by Spear's account, and by what I read. ations of ether. He told me something about the I knew of Dr. Wells' attempt to apply nitrous preparations, and thinking that if he had any it oxide gas for destroying pain under surgical operawould be of the purest kind, I asked him to let me tions. I had great motives to destroy or alleviate see his. He did so, but remarked that it had been pain under my operations, and endeavored to prostanding for some time, and told me that I could duce such a result by means of inhaling ether, get some highly rectified at Burnett's. As I was inferring that if it would render a nerve insensible, passing out, Dr. Jackson followed me to the door, directly applied, it might, when inhaled, destroy or and told me that he could recommend something greatly alleviate sensibility to pain generally. Had better than the gas-bag, to administer the ether the ether that I tried on the 5th August been pure, with, and gave me a flask with a glass tube in- I should have made the demonstration then. Î furserted in it. ther acknowledge that I was subsequently indebted I procured the ether from Burnett's, and taking to Dr. Jackson for valuable information as to the the tube and flask, shut myself up in my room, kinds and preparations of ether, and for the recseated in the operating chair, and commenced in- ommendation of the highly rectified from Burhaling. I found the ether so strong that it partially nett's as the most safe and efficient. But my oblisuffocated me, but produced a decided effect. Igation to him hath this extent, no further. All that then saturated my handkerchief and inhaled it from he communicated to me I could have got from other that. I looked at my watch and soon lost con- well informed chemists, or from some books. He sciousness. As I recovered, I felt a numbness in did not put me upon the experiments; and when my limbs with a sensation like nightmare, and he recommended the highly rectified sulphuric would have given the world for some one to come ether, the effect he anticipated was only that stupeand arouse me. I thought for a moment I should faction which was not unknown, and he did not indie in that state, and that the world would only timate in any degree a suspicion of that insensibility pity or ridicule my folly. At length I felt a slight to pain which was demonstrated, and astonished the tingling of the blood in the end of my third finger, scientific world. and made an effort to touch it with my thumb, but As soon as the man whose tooth I extracted left without success. At a second effort, I touched it, my office, I consulted Dr. Hayden as to the best but there seemed to be no sensation. I gradually mode of bringing out the discovery. We agreed raised my arm and pinched my thigh, but I could it was best to announce it to the surgeons of the see that sensation was imperfect. I attempted to hospital; but as some time would elapse before an rise from my chair, but fell back. Gradually I re-operation, I thought it best to procure some assurgained power over my limbs and full consciousness. ance which would induce my patients to take it. I immediately looked at my watch, and found that II therefore called upon the man who had taken it, had been insensible between seven and eight minutes. and found him perfectly well. Thence I went to Delighted with the success of this experiment, I Dr. Jackson, told him what I had done, and asked immediately announced the result to the persons employed in my establishment, and waited impatiently for some one upon whom I could make a fuller trial. Toward evening, a man, residing in Boston, whose certificate is in the appendix, came in, suffering great pain and wishing to have a tooth extracted. He was afraid of the operation and asked if he could be mesmerized. I told him I had something better, and saturating my handkerchief, gave it to him to inhale. He became unconscious almost immediately. It was dark, and Dr. Hayden held the lamp, while I extracted a firmly rooted bicuspid tooth. There was not much alteration in the pulse, and no relaxation of the 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, and I took from him a certificate. This was on the 30th of Sept., 1846. This I consider to be the first demonstration of this new fact in science. I have heard of no one who can prove an earlier demonstration. If any one can do so, I yield to him the point of priority in

time.

I will make a single remark upon the subject of my interview with Dr. Jackson. It is not necessary to go into the question of the origin of all ideas. I am ready to acknowledge my indebtedness to men and to books for all my information upon this subject. I nave got here a little and there a little. I learned from Dr. Jackson, in 1844, the effect of ether directly applied to a sensitive tooth, and proved, by experiment, that it would gradually

*[See Mr. M'Intire's statement, p. 540.]
+ See Mr. Frost's certificate, p. 541.]

him to give me a certificate that it was harmless in its effects. This he positively refused to do. I then told him I should go to the principal surgeons and have the question thoroughly tried. I then called on Dr. Warren, who promised me an early opportunity to try the experiment, and soon after I received the invitation inserted in the appendix.

In the mean time, I made several additional experiments in my office, with various success. I administered it to a boy, but it produced no other effect than sickness, with vomiting, and the boy was taken home in a coach, and pronounced by a physician to be poisoned. His friends were excited, and threatened proceedings against me. A notice of my successful experiment having, without my knowledge, got into the papers; several persons called, wishing to have it administered. I gave it to a lady, but it produced no other effect than drowsiness, and when breathed through the apparatus named by Dr. Jackson, it produced suffocation. I was obliged to abandon this mode, and obtaining from Mr. Wightman a conical glass tube, I inserted a saturated sponge in the larger end, and she breathed through that. In this way she seemed to be in an unnatural state, but continued talking, and refused to have the tooth extracted. I made her some trifling offer, to which she assented, and I drew the tooth, without any indication of pain on her part, not a muscle moving. Her pulse was at 90, her face much flushed, and after coming to, she remained a long time excessively drowsy. From this experiment, I became satisfied of what is now well proved, that conscious

[* See Dr. Hayden's affidavit, p. 536.]