Hartford dentist discovered anesthesia in 1840s, changed surgery forever

HARTFORD, Conn. (WFSB) - A Hartford dentist’s discovery in the 1840s made pain-free surgery possible, though he never received recognition during his lifetime.

Horace Wells discovered anesthesia after attending a demonstration where he saw a man cut his leg but feel no pain while under the influence of nitrous oxide, according to Andrea Rapacz, chief curator at a local museum.

“The reason we can have surgery and not feel pain is that it’s because of a parlor trick in Hartford,” Rapacz said.

Wells, who practiced dentistry in Hartford in the 1840s, decided to test the gas on himself the next day. When he woke up, he hadn’t felt anything during a tooth extraction.

At the time, dental work was extremely painful. People in the 1830s often avoided brushing their teeth, believing it did more harm than good. Dentists used tools like a “tooth key” that they would turn to pop teeth off the jaw.

Wells began using nitrous oxide on his patients and treated prominent Hartford society members, including the governor at the time. His daybook shows he was serving the city’s elite.

However, scandal soon overshadowed Wells’ discovery. His student attempted to steal the invention and conducted his own demonstration. When a patient cried out during the procedure, Wells was seen as a swindler.

While Wells remained in Hartford, his student and a chemist conducted their own demonstration and took credit for discovering anesthesia.

Wells spent the rest of his life fighting lawsuits over the discovery. He ultimately killed himself in prison using his own dental tools.

“Unfortunately, in his lifetime, he was never acknowledged. His family continues the fight,” Rapacz said.

The American Dental Association finally acknowledged Wells as the discoverer of anesthesia in 1864, years after his death.

Today, a statue honoring Wells stands in Bushnell Park. The Horace Wells Sanctuary at Center Church in Hartford, where he was a member, also commemorates his contribution. The Horace Wells Club continues to fund scholarships for students.