Home › M › Morton (WILLIAM THOMAS GREEN)

Morton (WILLIAM THOMAS GREEN)

WILLIAM THOMAS GREEN, an American dental surgeon, born in Charlton, Mass., in 1819. In 1840 he commenced the study of den- 1840 he commenced the study of dentistry in Baltimore, and began to practice in Boston. In 1844, in the latter city, while engaged in experimental study, he discovered ethereal anæthesia.

It was first publicly tested on Oct. 16, 1846, in a surgical operation at the Mas- It was first publicly tested on Oct. 16, sachusetts General Hospital. He patented his new anesthetic under the name of "letheon," offering free to the charitable institutions of its advantages England and the United States. The free to the charitable institutions of committee of the French Academy awarded the Montyon prize of $1,250 to be equally divided between Dr. Jackson and Dr. Morton; but the latter refused against the decision of the Academy, and in 1852 received the Montyon medal. He died in New York City, July in 1852 received the Montyon prize against the decision of the Academy, and yon prize 15, 1868.