This Day in History March 30, 1842

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I am extremely grateful that this day in history occurred.  Even though I have never had a surgical procedure, I know people who have.  It was on this date in 1842 that Dr. Crawford Long first used ether in a surgical procedure.  He removed a tumor from the neck of James Venable, and an ether-soaked cloth was used to "knock" the patient out.

The sad news is that Dr. Long did not officially document this first use of ether.  Not until 1849, that is.  And by that time, someone else (Dr. Jackson and others) documented his use of ether, so Dr. Long did not receive the credit he should have.  A good reminder to not let the time get away from you!

For more information, please check out:
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/03/dayintech_0330
http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/tdgh-mar/mar30.htm
http://askipedia.com/?p=110
http://healthhealthy.blogspot.com/2007/03/march-30-1842-first-documented-use-of.html
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/crawford+long