Ether Monument facts for kids
"Ether Monument" in the Public Garden.
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| Coordinates | 42°21′17″N 71°04′17″W / 42.3548°N 71.07140°W |
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| Location | Public Garden, Boston, United States |
| Designer | William Robert Ware and John Quincy Adams Ward |
| Type | Monument |
| Height | 40 feet |
| Dedicated to | Use of ether in anesthesia |
The Ether Monument, also called The Good Samaritan, is a special statue and fountain. You can find it in the Public Garden in Boston, USA. It stands near the corner of Arlington Street and Marlborough Street.
This monument celebrates a very important discovery: using ether to make people feel no pain during surgery. This is called anesthesia. The monument is about 40 feet tall. It was designed by William Robert Ware and John Quincy Adams Ward. It is the oldest monument in the Public Garden.
Contents
What Does the Monument Look Like?
The statue shows a doctor from long ago. He wears a robe and a turban, like people from medieval Moorish-Spanish times. This doctor represents a Good Samaritan, someone who helps others.
He is holding a man who looks weak or unconscious on his knee. The doctor holds a cloth in his left hand. This cloth hints at the use of ether, which would be discovered many centuries later.
Why a Moorish Doctor?
The choice of a Moorish doctor was probably on purpose. At the time, there was a big argument. Many people wanted credit for discovering anesthesia. Two famous people who claimed this were William T. G. Morton and Crawford Long. By using a historical figure, the monument avoided picking sides in this debate.
Important Messages on the Monument
At the bottom of the statue, there are four messages carved into the stone. These messages explain why the discovery of ether was so important. They also include quotes from the Bible.
Here are the messages you can read:
- To remember that breathing in ether makes you unable to feel pain. This was first shown to the world at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston in October 1846.
- This wonderful and excellent work also comes from the Lord of Hosts. This quote is from the Book of Isaiah.
- A citizen of Boston built this monument in 1867. They did it to show thanks for how ether helps people by stopping their suffering.
- There will be no more pain. This quote is from the Book of Revelation.
A Bit of History
The first time ether was used for surgery was at Massachusetts General Hospital. This hospital is only about a 15-minute walk from where the monument stands. The room where this important event happened is now called the Ether Dome. It is a special historical place. Many books have been written about this specific moment in history.
The Ether Monument was put up in 1868. It was cleaned and rededicated in 2006. This means it was celebrated again after being repaired.
Keeping the Monument Safe
The monument is outside in Boston, where the weather can be tough. Because of this, it needs regular care and repairs. One way money is raised for its upkeep is through a special book. The book is called Written in Granite: An Illustrated History of the Ether Monument. If you donate at least $100 to the Friends of the Public Garden, you can get a copy. This money goes into a fund to help keep the monument safe for the future.
