Ether Dome

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Ether Dome, Operating theater at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, US.

The circular amphitheater features tiered seating around a central surgical area beneath a copper-clad dome with natural lighting from above.

William Morton conducted the first successful public demonstration of ether anesthesia in this operating theater on October 16, 1846, changing medical practices worldwide.

The room contains a large oil painting depicting the first ether operation, an Egyptian mummy, and a plaster cast of Apollo Belvedere.

The space now functions as a teaching amphitheater at Massachusetts General Hospital and remains open for scheduled visits through the Russell Museum.

Between 1821 and 1867, medical students and physicians observed more than 8,000 surgeries performed in this fourth-floor operating theater.

Location: Boston

Architects: Charles Bulfinch

GPS coordinates: 42.36353,-71.06786

Latest update: May 27, 2025 13:10

Hidden Massachusetts: natural sites, heritage and architecture

Massachusetts offers a range of locations beyond Boston and Cape Cod that receive fewer visitors. In the western part of the state, stone tower lookouts rise above forested hills, while waterfalls are located within state forests. Historic buildings from the 19th century stand in smaller communities, and gardens featuring native plant species are open to the public. The coastal region includes lighthouses on rocky points and beaches away from main travel routes. A museum houses a walk-through glass globe, geological formations show traces of past ice ages, and Victorian houses document different architectural styles. These places often require specific planning as they lie away from typical tourist routes.

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« Ether Dome: Operating theater at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, US » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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