Daily Archives: October 16, 2026

William T.G. Morton demonstrates surgical anesthesia 180 years ago this hour (Oct 16 1846)


Video: 'William T.G. Morton Biography'

(Friday, October 16, 1846, 10:00 a.m. local time) — Dentist William T. G. Morton demonstrated the effectiveness of ether as an anesthetic today by administering it to a patient undergoing jaw surgery before an audience of doctors at the operating theater of the Massachusetts General Hospital, or MGH.