Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Anesthesia

Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford is the final resting place for many of Hartford's famous citizens.  Among these is Horace Wells, the Hartford dentist who discovered the use of ether for anesthesia. 

The busts at the ends of Wells' tombstone say "I sleep to awaken" and "I awaken to glory."


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27 comments:

  1. brattcatSeptember 21, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    fascinating, jack.

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  2. Luis GomezSeptember 21, 2011 at 6:46 AM

    Really nice, Jack.

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  3. KateSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:14 AM

    Fall must be a time for cemetery visits; yesterday and today bloggers have posted a number of snapshots taken in one of those spots. Theirs and yours as well has reminded me that I, too, need to visit one of them here in St. Paul. Your Horace Wells touched many lives, mine included many, many years ago during a childhood surgery. Can't say that I was very grateful; the memory of ether is enough to sicken me again. His is a unusual headstone. Thanks for the information!

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  4. jooSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    The top left is gorgeous! I mean I like all of them, but this one is special!

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  5. PerthDailyPhotoSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:35 AM

    That's a beauty Jack, as dramatic as any you'd find in a cemetery in Europe! It's nothing like Oscar Wilde's tombstone in Pere Lachaise but somehow it reminds me of it.

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  6. UnknownSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    Really interesting - and lovely details!

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  7. MalyssSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    The monument is really beautyful and impressive!and M.Wells is my hero..What would be dentists dates without him?! I don't even want to imagine! Ü

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  8. Cezar and LéiaSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    Very interesting Jack, thanks for sharing!
    Léia

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  9. AnonymousSeptember 21, 2011 at 9:04 AM

    WOW! That is very original. I have never seen a gravestone like it. Those sculptures on the end are so modern looking with their raw, stark emotion.

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  10. LynetteSeptember 21, 2011 at 9:14 AM

    Unique post, Jack, something you're very good at doing. Thanks.

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  11. SharonSeptember 21, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    I do miss an occasional visit to the cemetaries of the east and midwest. They are so much more interesting than the ones in the west.

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  12. Genie -- Paris and BeyondSeptember 21, 2011 at 9:42 AM

    It is sad that he died by his own hand and never knew of his contribution to medicine, dentistry and surgery. This monument is beautifully crafted and honors his accomplishments.

    There was a connection to Paris, n'est-ce pas?

    Bises,
    Genie

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  13. Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.comSeptember 21, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    I wonder if this monument was designed and made during his lifetime so he knew what a monument he would have.

    My wife's grandfather, from pioneer ranching stock, made his own coffin. The problem was, where do you keep such a thing in a house in Arizona, where houses do not have basements? His answer -- right in the living room.

    I have had ether once, curing a surgery when I was 7 years old. I still remember the dream I had while I was going under.

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  14. RandySeptember 21, 2011 at 9:57 AM

    These are great. If it were mine it would be a big camera!

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  15. Sylvia KSeptember 21, 2011 at 11:02 AM

    Lovely captures as always and the cemeteries in the east and south are definitely more interesting than those in west and midwest. These shots remind me of the ones in Savannah and in New Orleans! Hope your day is off to a good start, Jack! Enjoy!


    Sylvia

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  16. VPSeptember 21, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    I hate the dentist, but this good guy made it bearable...

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  17. Bruce ClarkSeptember 21, 2011 at 5:33 PM

    Love those B&W shots, Jack. Great details in both shots.

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  18. DianneSeptember 21, 2011 at 6:11 PM

    I'm with VP - Dentists don't fall into my most favourite category of people but hey! he made it a whole lot easier for us.
    So well done to Horace Wells!!

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  19. Regina KSeptember 21, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    I find walking in a cemetery is like a history lesson.

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  20. jennyfrecklesSeptember 21, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    What an unusual tomb, it's very beautiful. 'I sleep to awaken' sounds like me....it's after 1.00 am and I just can't get to sleep!

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  21. T. BecqueSeptember 21, 2011 at 9:45 PM

    I like that saying, it's peaceful and positive at the same time. Looks like an interesting cemetary.

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  22. HalcyonSeptember 21, 2011 at 10:16 PM

    I think the epitaph is fitting. I really like the sculpture too.

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  23. UnknownSeptember 22, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    Awesome Art Nouveau sculptures!

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  24. irinapicturesSeptember 22, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    Work of art.

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  25. EG CameraGirlSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:53 PM

    That's really something!

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  26. Delfina SchrecongostFebruary 21, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    An amazing tomb marker. The two sides create such a dramatic effect. Very grand! The guy did an amazing thing. It's very hard to imagine dentistry... or any kind of surgery for that matter, without the help of anesthesia.

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  27. CaTSeptember 26, 2012 at 9:35 AM

    what an elaborate grave!
    i sort of like it... :)

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