Ming Dynasty Surgeons Used Poison as an Anesthetic, Ancient Tools Reveal

Chemical traces on Ming Dynasty surgical tools suggest doctors used aconitine from wolfsbane as a carefully prepared anesthetic for painless operations.

Researchers analyzed scissors and tweezers from the tomb of surgeon Xia Quan in Jiangyin County and found residue matching aconitine.

The finding is the first direct chemical evidence that medieval Chinese surgeons may have used a toxic herbal compound to reduce pain during surgery.

It points to advanced medical knowledge and technique in ancient China, with residue analysis helping confirm the tools’ use.