Jefferson in Jackson County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Dr. Crawford W. Long and Anesthesia for Surgery
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, August 28, 2021
1. Dr. Crawford W. Long and Anesthesia for Surgery Marker
On March 30, 1842, Dr. Crawford W. Long performed what is considered the first surgery using anesthesia at his medical office once located at this site. Using sulfuric ether, Long removed a cyst from the neck of James Venable before three witnesses. Venable reported feeling no pain during the procedure. With the proven ability to block pain, the use of sulfuric ether as an anesthetic increased the number of surgeries performed worldwide. Although modern anesthetics with fewer side effects have replaced sulfuric ether in the United States, Dr. Long's discovery helped shape modern medicine by allowing for more complex surgical procedures. March 30 is now acknowledged as National Doctors' Day in recognition of Dr. Long's first use of anesthesia.
Erected 2018 by Georgia Historical Society, Georgia Society of Anesthesiologists (GSA), Crawford W. Long Museum Association, and City of Jefferson. (Marker Number 78-4.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is March 30, 1842.
Location. 34° 7.082′ N, 83° 34.382′ W. Marker is in Jefferson, Georgia, in Jackson County. It is on College Street north of Sycamore Street (Georgia Route 82), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 28 College St, Jefferson GA 30549, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Painless Operation (here, next to this marker); Crawford W. Long Mural (a few steps from this marker); Crawford Long Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson County Troops Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Lest We Forget (within shouting distance of this marker); Jackson County War Memorial (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Floyd G. Hoard (about 400 feet away); James Jackson (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jefferson.
Also see . . . Crawford W. Long Museum. (Submitted on August 30, 2021.)
Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, August 28, 2021
2. Dr. Crawford W. Long and Anesthesia for Surgery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 1,097 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
