Ether Monument

The Ether Monument is a marble and granite structure in Boston Public Garden standing roughly 40 feet tall, featuring a Good Samaritan figure cradling an unconscious man at its top. Four lion-head fountains sit at the base of the memorial.

The monument commemorates the first public demonstration of ether anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1846, when William Morton administered it during surgery. This event transformed medical practice by making painless surgery possible.

Inscriptions carved into the monument's sides display biblical passages and medical texts in multiple languages, all emphasizing the importance of pain relief in healing.

The monument sits near the corner of Arlington and Marlborough Streets within Boston Public Garden, making it easy to reach on foot. The location is freely accessible to visitors, and more information can be obtained through the Friends of the Public Garden.

The monument features four lion-head fountains that operate during the warmer months, requiring regular maintenance to keep them functioning properly. These water features add a distinctive visual and sound element to the memorial.

GPS coordinates: 42.35483,-71.07145

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:44