Born in Cocksackie, New York, dentist George E. Hill (ca. 1847 to 1923) spent the final half of his life residing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and eventually wintering in Indianola, Florida. His winter-themed trade card (left) is overstamped with the logo (right) of Hill’s branch office in Buffalo, New York. From all his offices, Dr. Hill promoted his “Vitalized Air” anesthetic, which consisted of nitrous oxide adulterated with alcohol and chloroform. So, why the Buffalo office? During most of his years in dentistry, the Albany-trained dentist had raced mostly around the states of New York and Pennsylvania, setting up 21 branch offices of “Albany Dental.” As his franchise grew, Dr. Hill spent less time racing between offices and more time racing his horses. (Copyright © the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology.)
Born in Cocksackie, New York, dentist George E. Hill (ca. 1847 to 1923) spent the final half of his life residing in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and eventually wintering in Indianola, Florida. His winter-themed trade card (left) is overstamped with the logo (right) of Hill’s branch office in Buffalo, New York. From all his offices, Dr. Hill promoted his “Vitalized Air” anesthetic, which consisted of nitrous oxide adulterated with alcohol and chloroform. So, why the Buffalo office? During most of his years in dentistry, the Albany-trained dentist had raced mostly around the states of New York and Pennsylvania, setting up 21 branch offices of “Albany Dental.” As his franchise grew, Dr. Hill spent less time racing between offices and more time racing his horses. (Copyright © the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology.)
George S. Bause, M.D., M.P.H., Honorary Curator and Laureate of the History of Anesthesia, Wood Library-Museum of Anesthesiology, Schaumburg, Illinois, and Clinical Associate Professor, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio. UJYC@aol.com.
