Early anesthesia is a medical practice that dates back to the mid-1800s. ETHER was one of the earliest forms of anesthesia used, and it was first used in 1846 by American dentist William Morton. ETHER was administered through inhalation and was used to induce unconsciousness during surgery. ETHER was eventually replaced by safer and more effective anesthetics, but it remains an important part of the history of anesthesia.