26 Facts About Horace Wells

Horace Wells was an American dentist who pioneered the use of anesthesia in medicine, specifically the use of nitrous oxide.

Wells was the first of three children of Horace and Betsy Heath Wells, born on January 21,1815, in Hartford, Vermont.

Horace Wells's parents were well-educated and affluent landowners, which allowed him to attend private schools in New Hampshire and Amherst, Massachusetts.

At the age of 19 in 1834, Wells began studying dentistry under a two-year apprenticeship in Boston.

At age 23, Horace Wells published a booklet "An Essay on Teeth" in which he advocated for his ideas in preventive dentistry, particularly for the use of a toothbrush.

Between 1841 and 1845, Horace Wells became a reputable dentist in Hartford, where he had many patients and attracted apprentices.

From this demonstration, Horace Wells realized the potential for the analgesic properties of nitrous oxide, and met with Colton about conducting trials.

In 1844, Hartford did not have a hospital, so Horace Wells sought to demonstrate his new findings in either Boston or New York.

Morton was enrolled in Harvard Medical School at the time and agreed to help Horace Wells introduce his ideas, and provide him with dental instruments, although Morton was skeptical about the use of nitrous oxide.

Horace Wells gave a demonstration to medical students in Boston at the end of January 1845.

On February 5,1845, Horace Wells advertised his home for rent.

Horace Wells closed his office nine times and relocated six different times between 1836 and 1847.

Horace Wells closed his office due to ill health, although his physician could not find any physical cause for his non-specific complaints.

Horace Wells mentioned his recurring illness in a letter to his sister Mary Wells Cole in April 1837.

Horace Wells became ill shortly after marrying Elizabeth Wales in 1838 and having his only son Charles Thomas Wells.

Horace Wells definitively ended his dental practice in late 1845 and began selling shower baths for which he received a patent on November 4,1846.

Horace Wells planned to sail to Paris to purchase paintings to resell in the United States.

Horace Wells traveled to Paris in early 1847, where he petitioned the Academie Royale de Medicine and the Parisian Medical Society for recognition in the discovery of anesthesia.

Horace Wells moved to New York City in January 1848, leaving his wife and young son behind in Hartford.

Horace Wells lived alone at 120 Chambers St in Lower Manhattan and began self-experimenting with ether and chloroform, and he became addicted to chloroform.

Horace Wells rushed into the street on January 21,1848, his 33rd birthday, and threw sulfuric acid over the clothing of two prostitutes.

Horace Wells was committed to New York's infamous Tombs Prison.

Horace Wells asked the guards to escort him to his house to pick up his shaving kit.

Horace Wells is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut.

Horace Wells first voiced his concern for minimizing his patient's pain during dental procedures in 1841.

Horace Wells was known for caring about his patient's comfort.