Ann Abbott, age 12, of Sparks, Nev., for her question:

WHO DISCOVERED ETHER?

Ether is a colorless, sweet smelling liquid that can be made by the action of sulfuric acid on alcohol. The material can be used as an anesthetic.

An American dentist named William Thomas Green Morton in 1946 first proved publicly that ether was a valuable anesthetic. But credit for first using ether goes to Crawford Long of Georgia. He used it in operations as early as 1842.

Ether is considered a safer anesthetic than chloroform. It was nearly always used for major surgical operations in the United States until other anesthetics were available. Ether sometimes irritates the kidneys, however, and may cause bronchial trouble. Otherwise, it is not dangerous to use, except for patients with weak hearts.

Sometimes persons who have been given ether have unpleasant after effects, especially severe nausea.