Figure 1: Refurbished Ether Monument fountain with night illumination.

n September 27, 2006, 140 years after the Ether Monument was conceived, a memorable event took place in the Boston Public Garden. As the sun set and a few clouds floated by, a crowd of approximately 100 citizens gathered in the northwest corner of the park near the intersection of Arlington and Beacon streets. The attendees came to hear the words of the Hon. Thomas M. Menino, Mayor of the City of Boston; Mark J. Lema, M.D., Ph.D., then ASA President-Elect; Mr. Henry Lee, President of the Friends of the Public Garden; and Ms. Antonia Pollak, Commissioner of the Boston Parks Department.

The backdrop for the speakers was the newly restored Ether Monument, which emerged aglow as dusk fell. The occasion was the rededication of the Ether Monument, during which the speakers highlighted the importance and significance of perhaps the most visible and public symbol of American medical history.

It is with the good will and perseverance of many groups and individuals and a commitment by the City of Boston that the Ether Monument is finally restored. The fountains, although modified from the original design due to engineering challenges, flow once again. Originally water spouted from the mouths of the four lion heads; today, the water arises from the bottom of the pool toward the lion heads. Repairing the fountain to its original design would have been too expensive and risky for the aging structure. The bas-reliefs and surfaces were reconditioned, the monument’s adjacent walkways were repaved and the gardens were landscaped afresh.

The most dramatic change, which has literally transformed the evening mood of this corner of the Public Garden, is the new lighting [Figure 1]. Onlookers can now admire the restored memorial well into the night. The cost of the restoration was approximately $250,000.

Some of these changes, particularly the lighting, will assuredly conjure aesthetic controversies. But what else is new for a memorial that has always been surrounded by misunderstandings and dispute? Over the years, the Ether Monument has been described by the press as “weird,” “extravagant,” “odd” and “quirky.”¹

Regardless of the different sentiments that the Ether monument has generated over time, it is generally agreed that it is a most unique memorial with redeeming artistic qualities; for instance, the Good Samaritan that appears atop the monument represents one of the best examples of 19th century American sculpture. The monument is an amalgamation of religious and universal ideas, including the misery caused by war, the triumph of science and the belief in a merciful God. American medicine may not have another public landmark so rich in history and imagery.

Although the Ether Monument has been completely restored, only with proper maintenance will the vicious cycle of neglect and periodic crises be averted. The Heritage Preservation in Washington, D.C., a national historical conservation organization, cautions that intermittent care invariably results in the further loss of original material and leads to more expensive repairs. Proper systematic maintenance is required. Thus the Ether Monument Maintenance Endowment has been created to ensure the continuous care of this recently refurbished symbol for anesthesiology.

Immediately after the recent rededication ceremony, key attendees and potential donors — including private individuals, representatives of Boston’s teaching hospitals, industry and charitable organizations — gathered to discuss strategies to strengthen the endowment. A Web site <www.ethermonument.org> has been created to raise public awareness about the Ether Monument and facilitate tax-deductible donations. Donors contributing $100 or more will receive a copy of the recently published book Written in Granite: An Illustrated History of the Ether Monument.


Reference:
1. Ortega RA. Written in Granite: An Illustrated History of the Ether Monument, 1st ed. Boston: Plexus Management; 2006.

Emily R. Zambricki is a medical student at Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.

Rafael A. Ortega, M.D., is Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, Vice-Chair of Academic Affairs, Department of Anesthesiology, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.