For a long time, the use of herbal anesthetics in ancient Chinese surgeries was only mentioned in various ancient texts. There was always a lack of solid empirical evidence to support this practice.
According to a report by Hong Kongs English-language newspaper The South China Morning Post on June 1st, an archaeological study using high-tech detection techniques has recently made breakthrough discoveries. Researchers have detected remnants of potent anesthetic drugs on surgical instruments unearthed from the tomb of a famous surgeon during the Ming Dynasty. This discovery provides the earliest direct physical evidence of ancient anesthetic and surgical techniques in China.
According to reports, on October 16, 1846, American physician William Morton successfully performed the first ether anesthesia procedure in a domed hall at the current Massachusetts General Hospital. This event is considered the beginning of modern anesthesia history. The discovery made by the Chinese archaeological team will challenge existing beliefs, proving that ancient Chinese physicians already used plants to create anesthetic agents as early as the 14th century.
The key physical evidence for this study comes from an ancient Ming Dynasty tomb excavated in Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, in 1974. The tombs owner was Xia Qian (1348–1411). The tomb contained a set of medical instruments, including: iron surgical knives with curved blades, flat-bladed surgical knives, iron needles with oxhorn handles, small scissors made of iron, tweezers made of iron and copper, brushes made of oxhorn handles and pig bristles for applying medicinal substances, bone medical needles, as well as wooden containers for holding medicine, porcelain flasks, and porcelain instruments used in traditional Chinese surgery. This is currently the earliest and most complete set of medical instruments from this period discovered in China.
The team led by Zhao Congcang from Northwest University utilized stimulated Raman scattering microscopy techniques to analyze the residues left on these medical devices that have been sealed for over 600 years.
Archaeologists removed only 2 milligrams of red residue from two pieces of medical equipment, namely scissors and tweezers. Spectral analysis revealed that the spectral characteristics of the residue matched those of aconitine alkaloids. Distribution patterns indicated that the residue likely resulted from splashing during the application of the liquid medication in certain areas.
The aconitine detected in this case comes from traditional Chinese medicines such as aconite or kudzu root. It is one of the most toxic plant alkaloids in nature. Just a few milligrams can be fatal. However, this substance is also a highly potent nerve paralysis agent.
Importantly: Only the English translation should be submitted. in the response. Do not include any Chinese text in your answer. There were records of aconite mentioned as early as in oracle bone inscriptions. The Shennong Ben Cao Jing compiled during the Han Dynasty provided detailed descriptions of aconite. By the Song Dynasty, it was possible to distinguish between cultivated aconite and wild aconite. In the Ming Dynasty, doctors developed methods to reduce the toxicity of aconite. For example, aconite was processed using child urine, soaked in black bean juice, boiled in vinegar, or detoxified using mung beans. The resulting anesthetic powder, also known as Caowushan San or Maoyao Caowushan San, was recorded in many medical texts. Its main function was to make patients unable to feel pain, thereby enabling painless surgeries.
Two medical instruments, scissors and tweezers, found during the excavation, have traces of bright red color on them.
It is important to note that the earliest physician to use belladonna-based anesthetics was Hua Tuo during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. The Mafesan that he developed was the earliest documented herbal anesthetic. It had to be taken along with alcohol. It is said that using Mafesan, major surgical procedures such as abdominal and orthopedic surgeries could be performed at that time.
In the year 208 AD, Hua Tuo refused to become Cao Caos full-time medical attendant. As a result, Cao Cao ordered his execution. There is also another version of this story: Hua Tuo suggested performing early brain surgeries. For this reason, Cao Cao ordered his execution.
Unfortunately, the formula and ingredients for Mafebisan were lost forever. Scholars have never been able to determine whether its main ingredient was aconitine, or opium, marijuana, or other substances.
The discovery of surgical instruments from the Ming Dynasty is the earliest physical evidence that confirms ancient people performed anesthesia-based surgical procedures. This discovery also clearly proves that aconitine was indeed used in ancient Chinese surgical treatments and diagnoses.
According to reports, the relevant research paper was published last Tuesday, May 26th, in the internationally renowned archaeological journal Antiquity.
Zhao Congcangs team stated in their paper, This study confirms that residue analysis can extract historical and scientific information from archaeological artifacts. This information can serve as a reference for cultural heritage preservation efforts, and it can also enrich the research in the field of medical history.
