Three ether inhalers with inscriptions stating that they had been used in early ether anaesthesia were found. All three inhalers were initially linked to WTG Morton. Two of the inhalers were probably among several types of inhalers used by Morton. The third inhaler was found to have been incorrectly attributed to Morton. It was first used by John Foster Brewster Flagg, a dentist in Philadelphia.
WarrenJ.C.The influence of anaesthesia on the surgery of the nineteenth century: by J. Collins Warren, M.D., LL.D., F.R.C.S., being the address of the President before the American Surgical Association, MDCCCXCVILBoston: Privately published1906.
RothG.B.The “original Morton Inhaler” for ether. Annals of Medical History1932; 4: 390–397.
4.
FordW.W.Ether inhalers in early use. N Engl J Med1946; 234: 713–726.
5.
LowryB., LowryI.Simultaneous Developments: Documentary Photography and Painless Surgery. In: RomerG.B., WallisB., ed. Young America: The Daguerreotypes of Southworth & Hawes.Göttingen: Steidl Publishing2005. p. 75–88.
6.
WolfeR.J.Tarnished Idol: William Thomas Green Morton and the Introduction of Surgical Anesthesia.Norman Publishing, San Anselmo, California2001; p. 78.
7.
DesbaraxP.Morton's design of the early ether vaporisers. Anaesthesia2002; 57: 463–469.
8.
MortonW.T.G.Letter from Dr. Morton, of Boston, U.S. Lancet1847; ii: 80–81.
9.
DuncumB.M.The Development of Inhalation Anaesthesia.Oxford University Press, London1947; p. 107.
10.
Statements, Supported by Evidence, of Wm. T. G. Morton, M.D. on his claim to the Discovery of the Anaesthetic Properties of Ether, Submitted to the Honorable The Select Committee Appointed by Senate of the United States. 32d Congress, 2d Session, January 21, 1853. Washington: 1853. p. 265–286.
11.
BigelowH.J.Insensibility during surgical operations produced by inhalation. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal1846; 35: 309–317.
12.
GwathmeyJ.T.Anesthesia. D.Appleton and Company, New York and London1914; p. 13–14.
MortonW.T.G.Remarks on the Proper Mode of Administering Sulphuric Ether by Inhalation.Dutton and Wentworth, Printers, Boston1847; p. 10.
15.
KirkE.C.Demonstration of the original apparatus used by John Foster Brewster Flagg for the administration of ether. International Clinics1912, Series 22, Volume 2, p. 191–193.
16.
FlaggJ.F.B.Ether and chloroform: their employment in surgery, dentistry, midwifery, therapeutics, etc.Lindsay and Blakiston, Philadelphia1851; p. 30–31, 156.
17.
BennionE.Antique Medical Instruments.Sotherby Parke Bernet, London1979; p. 190.
18.
FlaggJ.F.The inhalation of an ethereal vapor to prevent sensibility to pain during surgical operations. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal1846; 35: 356–359.
