Written in granite: a history of the Ether Monument and its significance for anesthesiology.

ALTHOUGH Boston is well known for its place in the history of anesthesiology, many people do not know that a monument in the city exists to commemorate the first public demonstration of ether anesthesia (fig. 1). In fact, in decades past, every Bostonian knew of the monument erected in 1868 to honor the great discovery. But today, the structure is often overlooked. There are even some in the field of anesthesia who are unaware of its existence. In the historic Boston Public Garden, the Ether Monument sits with its marble and granite images and inscriptions addressing universal themes: the suffering caused by war, the desire on behalf of loved ones to relieve pain, and the triumph of medical science. It is a declaration of the advancements ether brought to society. Perhaps no other monument related to the origins of American medicine is so rich in history, controversies, and allegories. Unfortunately, both human memory and “what is written in stone have no necessary permanence unless successor generations can be successfully socialized to view [them] as less evanescent than a flag waving in ever-changing winds.” The purpose of this article is to present a historical overview of the origins and significance of the Ether Monument.§