Worthington, E. D. (Edward Dagge), 1820-1895

Edward Dagge Worthington (120-1895) was the first surgeon in Canada to perform a capital operation using ether as an anaesthetic. In 1834 he was indentured for seven years to Dr. James Douglas of Quebec but after serving five years he accepted an appointment as a staff-assistant surgeon in the British army. Later, he spent two years in Edinburgh attending lectures and walking the hospital, returning to Canada in 1848. He built up an extensive practice in the Eastern Townships and gained the reputation of being a leading surgeon in that part of Canada. He was a member of the Canadian Medical Association and one of the governors of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Quebec. Dr. Worthington was also a strong supporter of the volunteer movement and served in the Quebec regiment of Volunteer Light Infantry in 1837-38, in the 53rd Battalion since its formation and in active service in both the Fenian raids. (Rose, Geo. MacLean. A Cyclopaedia of Canadian Biography. Toronto, 1888, vol. 2, pp. 456-58)