BLTC Research logo

Hua Tuo
(c. 110 - c. 207 )

picture of Chinese physician Hua Tuo
In second century China, physician Hua Tuo (also Hwa Tuo) reputedly performed surgery under general anaesthesia using "foamy narcotic powder". Unfortunately, details are sketchy. Chinese medical writings do not specify the constituents of the "foamy narcotic powder" - variously speculated as hemp boiled with wine; datura or rhododendron flower; aconite or jasmine root; or some cocktail thereof.

next


HOME
Search
Hua Tuo
Resources
Snapshots
Utopian Surgery
Refs and Further Reading
Anaesthesia and Anaesthetics