“…saw the President who came in to see Gen. Scott. Long, lank, & round shouldered with tumbled shirt and cravat. No waistcoat & $1.25 brown linen coat. Old Abe is no beauty. Looks like a New England stationary pedlar or book agent. He’s a man tho and doing his work well so far. Never mind his garb, his heart and head are right.”
–William Logan Rodman journal entry, 25 September 1861
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Featured Item from the MHS Collection |
“Did an interesting operation at the Hospital this morning while the Patient was under the influence of Dr. Morton’s preparation to prevent pain – the Substance employed was Sulphuric Ether –”
In his 16 October 1846 diary entry, Dr. John Collins Warren gave an account of his role in a world-changing event that had taken place at the Massachusetts General Hospital—the first widely publicized operation using anesthesia. Physicians had long sought a method to perform surgical procedures without pain, but anesthesia had far-reaching consequences beyond the relief of human suffering. It was no longer necessary to operate quickly to prevent shock, so surgeons could perform more dramatic and intrusive operations. The 16 October operation was repeated successfully. News of anesthesia, a term suggested by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes of Boston, quickly spread throughout the United States, on to Europe, and elsewhere in the world. Within a few months of Dr. Warren’s public demonstration in Boston, ether was being used by surgeons in Scotland and England, and within a year under battlefield conditions in the Mexican War. Read more about Dr. Warren and his use of anesthesia.
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This Week's Online Programs |
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On Thursday, 15 October, at 1:30 PM, Corinne T. Field, University of Virginia; Nicole Etcheson, Ball State University; Kara W. Swanson, Northeastern University School of Law; and Rabia S. Belt, Stanford Law School, present Is She Disqualified From Voting? with comment by Paula Austin, Boston University.
On Friday, 16 October, at 1:30 PM, Adam H. Domby, College of Charleston, and Elizabeth Katz, Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, present What did the Amendments Not Cover? with comment by Akhil Reed Amar, Yale Law School.
Please register for each conference session you wish to attend.
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On Tuesday, 13 October, at 5:30 PM, Joseph Nevins, Suren Moodliar, and Eleni Macrakis present A People’s Guide to Greater Boston. A People’s Guide to Greater Boston reveals the region’s richness and vibrancy in ways that are neglected by traditional area guidebooks and obscured by many tourist destinations. It highlights tales of the places and people involved in movements to abolish slavery; to end war and militarism; to achieve Native sovereignty, racial equity, gender justice, and sexual liberation; and to secure workers’ rights. This one-of-a-kind guide points the way to a radically democratic Greater Boston, one that sparks social and environmental justice and inclusivity for all. Register for this online event.
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On Thursday, 15 October, at 5:30 PM, Fiona Deans Halloran and Pat Bagley present Thomas Nast: The Father of Modern Political Cartoons. Thomas Nast pioneered American political cartooning. He created the Republican elephant and popularized the depiction of Santa Claus. Many prominent figures felt the sting of biting satire, including “Boss” Tweed of Tammany Hall. However, Nast’s legacy also includes contradictions. He supported civil rights, the Union Army, and Black veterans, but also used offensive stereotypical images of black men and suggested that their votes were easily manipulated. Nast biographer Fiona Deans Halloran and celebrated editorial cartoonist Pat Bagley will speak about the life and legacy of Thomas Nast with a particular focus on his views on African American voting and on cartooning as a form of political commentary. Register for this online event.
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Upcoming October Programs |
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On Thursday, 22 October, at 5:30 PM, Richard Bell, University of Maryland, presents Hamilton the Musical.
On Thursday, 29 October, at 5:30 PM, Peter Onuf, University of Virginia, and Annette Gordon-Reed, Harvard University, present Jefferson: Then & Now.
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Share Your COVID-19 Experience(s) |
The MHS invites you to contribute your COVID-19 experience(s) to our collection. Record your experiences on a daily, weekly, or intermittent basis. You can contribute your thoughts and images online. Visit our COVID-19 web display to learn more and to share your thoughts. Or, you can keep a journal and donate it to the MHS. Contact collections@masshist.org for more information.
Thank you to everyone who has shared so far. If you have not yet done so or would like to contribute again, please visit: www.masshist.org/projects/covid/index.php. You can also read what others have shared.
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Our Members are the heart of the MHS community and an integral part of the MHS story. Become a Member to help make possible the Society’s mission to promote the study of American history. Receive benefits including invitations to enhanced Member-only events; free or discounted admission to special programs; and access to publications such as our calendar of events, newsletter, and Annual Report. Learn more at www.masshist.org/support/members.
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