DISCOVERER OF ANAESTHESIA: Dr. Horace Wells of Hartford. Reprinted from The Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, Vol. 5, No. 5, The. by Erving, Henry Wood 1851-1941

[New Haven]: [YJBM], 3 May 1933. Journal Reprint edition. Original wraps in printed paper cover. Signed by author May 15th 1933 in black ink on cover (pictured). 8vo. pp. 421-430. Good. Fragile cover is toned with shallow chips and tears, pages toned internally. Wells practiced dentistry with William Morton who would later be attributed with the discovery of ether. In a botched demonstration of nitrous oxide to MGH medical students in 1845, Wells was discredited and resorted to selling household items. When he returned from a visit with Morton in Paris he became addicted to chloroform and in a delerious state, doused two prositutes with sulfuric acid and was committed to the notorious Tombs Prison. Remorse with the reality of his act, he committed suicide with a razor from his shaving kit and a numbing dose of chloroform. Posthumously recognized by ADA in 1864 and AMA in 1870 as the discoverer of modern anesthesia. (Founded in 1928, YJBM is the oldest international student medical publication)..