Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. – Philippians 2:2
Crawford Williamson Long used ether as an anesthetic for surgery for the first time in the United States on this day in 1842. Long continued using ether for anesthesia thereafter, by simply applying it to a towel for the patient to breathe before commencing his surgical procedures. However, he did not document his findings even as he shared his activities with colleagues. In 1846, William T.G. Morton used ether anesthesia at a hospital in Boston and published his work shortly thereafter. Recognizing his oversight, as Long worked to document his experiences with ether, Charles Jackson and Horace Wells also staked claims to the method of anesthesia. Though Long spent considerable effort petitioning Congress, with the help of Senator William Crosby Dawson, to be recognized for the discovery, he did not receive full credit until after his death.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For Secretary Xavier Becerra to be led by the Lord as he oversees the Department of Health and Human Services.
- For wisdom for Director Robert Otto Valdez as he manages the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
