Evidence Found That 'Surgical Operations Using Aconite Poison as Anesthesia' Were Performed in China 600 Years Ago

Researchers found chemical traces of aconitine on Ming-era iron scissors and forceps from a tomb in Jiangyin, China.

The residue likely came from monkshood, a toxic plant that may have been used to numb skin before surgery.

This is the first chemical evidence that Ming Dynasty surgeons may have used a controlled plant-based topical anesthetic.

The finding suggests historical Chinese medicine included more advanced pain-control techniques than previously proven.