"Crawford Williamson Long (November 1, 1815 – June 16, 1878) was an American surgeon and pharmacist best known for his first use of inhaled sulfuric ether as an anesthetic.
Long was the first obstetric anesthetist. In 1845, he had his wife inhale while she was giving birth. Until recently,[when?] his practice of using inhalation anesthesia dominated obstetrics. In 1849, Long announced his discovery in a small local magazine. However, he did not receive significant recognition until Marion Sims, a New York surgeon, published the first major article about Long's contribution. Today, the majority of scholars concur that Long performed the first successful surgery using anesthesia.
The Crawford W. Long Museum in Jefferson, Georgia, provides educational exhibits about the life and career of Dr. Crawford W. Long, the physician who, on March 30, 1842 first used ether for surgical anesthesia. The Gallery takes you on a journey through Dr. Long’s life. From his exceptional education, to his early days as a physician and his discovery of the first anesthetic, through the days of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Come visit the site of America’s greatest contribution to medicine and learn how this “country doctor” came to be the father of painless surgery."
Long was the first obstetric anesthetist. In 1845, he had his wife inhale while she was giving birth. Until recently,[when?] his practice of using inhalation anesthesia dominated obstetrics. In 1849, Long announced his discovery in a small local magazine. However, he did not receive significant recognition until Marion Sims, a New York surgeon, published the first major article about Long's contribution. Today, the majority of scholars concur that Long performed the first successful surgery using anesthesia.
The Crawford W. Long Museum in Jefferson, Georgia, provides educational exhibits about the life and career of Dr. Crawford W. Long, the physician who, on March 30, 1842 first used ether for surgical anesthesia. The Gallery takes you on a journey through Dr. Long’s life. From his exceptional education, to his early days as a physician and his discovery of the first anesthetic, through the days of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Come visit the site of America’s greatest contribution to medicine and learn how this “country doctor” came to be the father of painless surgery."
