Bouv^.] 
46 
[October 6, 
quently meeting him frequently in social intercourse. To the 
testimony of others in favor of Dr. Jackson as a man of high 
principle, of just intentions, and as being entitled to the great 
honor of having been the discoverer of the anesthetic properties 
of ether, I add my own, but from their farther conclusions I 
widely differ. I do not think, I have never thought, him entitled 
to the credit of its introduction into use, or even for having 
thoroughly verified what he claimed to be true respecting the 
safety of its administration. He had experimented on himself 
and had proved to his own satisfaction what was afterwards dem- 
onstrated respecting it, even going so far as to recommend its use 
by others, and this constituted discovery. But he did not prove 
to others what he was himself convinced of, and allowed precious 
time to pass, yes, much time, without making any application of 
the discovery. Indeed, had it not been that Morton sought from 
him means to prevent pain when extracting teeth, it is doubtful 
if the world would have had the advantage of the discovery for 
years, if ever. 
The truth is, Dr. Jackson was a man of great genius, and his 
intuitive perception of scientific truths remarkable ; but from 
some peculiarities hard to comprehend, he often contented him- 
self with enunciating what he recognized as fact, without striving 
to substantiate it. He himself admitted his short comings in this 
respect. When Dr. Gay had written his essay upon the Discovery 
of Ether, claiming for Dr. Jackson all the merit of its introduc- 
tion, I objected to his view of the matter, and took the ground 
that the world was indebted to both Jackson and Morton for the 
boon, ■ — to one as the scientific discoverer and suggestor of its 
use in surgical operations, to the other for his application of it 
and its practical introduction. Dr. Jackson learning of this, upon 
meeting me remarked that I was thought not to be friendly to 
him in this matter. I then said, “ Doctor, you have known for a 
long period what Mr. Morton is now demonstrating to be true, 
but allowed it to remain a dormant fact in your mind. If he had 
not sought information from you, might it not have so remained 
years longer ? ” He answered that possibly it might. I think it 
may fairly be said that without both Jackson and Morton the 
world might have been none the happier for what either would 
