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)
My sole aim was to benefit humanity.
The world owes a debt to the discoverer of anesthesia.
I have endured much for this discovery.
The blessings of anesthesia are incalculable.
This is a triumph of science over suffering.
I presented my discovery to the world freely.
The relief afforded by this agent is instantaneous.
I have opened the door to a new era of surgical possibility.
The suffering of patients was a constant spur to my efforts.
My experiments were conducted with the utmost care.
The public demonstration was a moment of profound significance.
I sought to remove the terror from the operating room.
The world will never be the same after this discovery.
I have given a gift to humanity.
The power to alleviate pain is a sacred trust.
My name will forever be associated with the conquest of pain.
The benefits of this discovery extend to all corners of the globe.
The suffering of the patient was my greatest teacher.
I have made a discovery!
I have found a way to make men insensible to pain.
Contemporaries of William Thomas Green Morton
Other Medicines born within 50 years of William Thomas Green Morton (1819–1868).