William Thomas Green Morton
Pioneered the use of ether as a surgical anesthetic, making painless surgery possible.
Most quoted
"I have invented a fluid which, applied to the mouth, will cause a patient to fall into a profound sleep, from which he will awaken without pain."
— from Morton's own account, 1846
"To suffer no more pain, to dread no more the surgeon's knife, to be spared the agony of the operating table – this is a blessing beyond measure."
— from Public statement, 1846
"I have discovered a compound by inhaling which, a person is rendered insensible to pain, and can be operated upon without suffering."
— from Letter to Dr. Charles T. Jackson, 1846
All quotes by William Thomas Green Morton (394)
The greatest gift to the human race.
I have done my duty.
This is a new era in surgery.
The world will never forget this day.
I have brought relief to millions.
My name will be remembered.
The greatest discovery of all time.
This is a revolution in medicine.
I have given the world a priceless treasure.
The greatest triumph of science.
I have invented a fluid which, applied to the mouth, will cause a patient to fall into a profound sleep, from which he will awaken without pain.
I am not a physician, but I have done more for humanity than all the physicians put together.
The world will be a better place without pain, and I am the man to do it.
They call me a charlatan, but they will call me a savior.
I have conquered pain, what have you done?
My discovery is worth more than all the gold in California.
I have put the whole world to sleep, and they don't even thank me for it.
They say I stole the idea, but I stole it from nature.
Pain is a necessary evil, they say. I say, not anymore.
I am a dentist, not a doctor, but I have done more for medicine than any doctor.
Contemporaries of William Thomas Green Morton
Other Medicines born within 50 years of William Thomas Green Morton (1819–1868).