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September 1996
Volume 60 |
Number 9
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| William T.G. Morton
and the U.S. Congress |
Eugene H. Conner, M.D.
Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology
Discovering and then demonstrating to the world that insensibility
to the pain of surgical operations could be achieved by inhaling
the vapors of sulphuric ether was a boon for humanity and a great
personal triumph for dentist/medical student, William T.G. Morton.
This is a story, however, of intrigue, treachery, misrepresentation
and political chicanery on the one hand and the durability of
the human spirit on the other.
At first, Morton's energies were expended perfecting his discovery,
teaching and promoting the use of his anodyne. The frenetic pace
of these activities diverted his attention from his once-thriving
dental practice, eventually bankrupting him. After he was obliged
to reveal that sulphuric ether was the active component in his
patented "Letheon,"1
other serious matters usurped his time.
Upon the advice of friends, Morton, through his agent, Edward
Warren, presented a memorial to the 29th Congress, 2nd Session,
to have his priority to the ether discovery established and to
request an award for the use of his patent (U.S. Patent No. 4848,
November 12, 1846), which at that time was so important for the
use of ether to provide comfort and care to those wounded in the
war with Mexico. This first of many presentations to the U.S.
Congress was heard by the Select Committee of the House of Representatives,
consisting of five members, four of whom were physicians.*
They listened but made no report, and their deliberations were
not published. Members of the committee were apparently confused
by the slanderous campaign against Morton by a group of dentists
and a few physicians in Boston and vicinity, led by Josiah F.
Flagg (1789-1853), a practicing dentist. This group's effort came
to be known as the "Dental Manifesto" and was effective
in ruining Morton's reputation, dental practice and income.
In the course of memorializing six sessions of four congresses,
Morton's focus remained twofold -- establishing his priority for
the anesthesia discovery and petitioning remuneration from the
U.S. government. These efforts over the years became more frustrating,
exhausting and costly in time and money.
The 30th Congress first confirmed Morton's priority for the discovery,
and this was reaffirmed in the 32nd Congress, although the Senate
version hedged and stated that the honor of discovery belonged
to one of three persons: William T.G. Morton, Horace Wells or
Charles T. Jackson, M.D. The question was to be settled by Congress
without judicial inquiry. A compensation amount of $100,000 was
agreed upon by the majority of the Select Committee of the House,
contingent upon Morton's surrender of his patent to the commissioner
of patents. The matter of funding was agreed to by the full House
and Senate but was to be paid out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
In spite of the statement in the Minority Report of the 32nd Congress,
2nd Session, there was a lengthy trial establishing Morton's claim.
Transcribed interrogations, taken in December 1852 and February
1853, appear on nearly 200 pages appended to the House committee's
deliberations in the 32nd Congress, 2nd Session.
All of the testimony and supporting evidence submitted during
both sessions of the 32nd Congress was published and is of great
historical value, but it was of no use in obtaining money for
Morton. The appropriation bill for the $100,000 was approved in
1852 and 1854 in the House but failed each time in the Senate.
Even Morton's appeal in June 1854 to President Franklin Pierce
was fruitless.
Morton's last appearance in Congress was before the Senate Committee
on Military Affairs and the Militia in 1863. Alas, the committee
concluded, "Your Committee are of the opinion that some compensation
is due, but they report these facts for the information of the
Senate, without any recommendations" [emphasis added].
Morton died without ever receiving any of the $100,000 that was
to be paid him for return of his patent to the U.S. government.
This is a tragic commentary upon the political machinations of
the U.S. Congress and an ultimate disgrace to the citizens of
the United States that an opportunity to recognize the benefits
from Morton's discovery was unrequited.
* The physicians serving
on the Select Committee of the House of Representatives were:
George Fries, M.D. (Ohio), Chair; James H. Relfe, M.D. (Missouri);
Bryan R. Young, M.D. (Kentucky); Owen D. Leib, M.D. (Pennsylvania);
and Robert Toombs (Georgia).
Reference:
1. Hodges RM. A Narrative of Events Connected
With the Introduction of Sulfuric Ether Into Surgical Use.
Boston: Little, Brown & Co.; 1891:51.
Eugene H. Conner, M.D., is Emeritus Clinical
Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Louisville, Louisville,
Kentucky.
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