Ether anesthesia is used for the first time, in an operation by the American surgeon Dr. Crawford Long.
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.
Diethyl ether, or simply ether, is an organic compound in the ether class with the formula (C2H5)2O, sometimes abbreviated as Et2O (see Pseudoelement symbols). It is a colorless, highly volatile, sweet-smelling ("Ethereal odour"), extremely flammable liquid. It is commonly used as a solvent in laboratories and as a starting fluid for some engines. It was formerly used as a general anesthetic, until non-flammable drugs were developed, such as halothane. It has been used as a recreational drug to cause intoxication.