The oldest evidence of the use of anesthesia during surgery has been found in China
Scientists have uncovered the earliest direct chemical evidence of the use of anesthesia in surgery after examining ancient medical instruments found in a Ming Dynasty tomb in China.
These include metal scissors and tweezers that belonged to the renowned surgeon Xia Quan, who lived from approximately 1348 to 1411, according to Science Alert.
Traces of aconitine—an extremely toxic substance derived from plants of the Aconitum genus—were found on the instruments.
The surgical instruments were discovered back in 1974 in a tomb in Jiangyin County, but only modern technology has made it possible to identify the remains of ancient medications.
“Six centuries ago, a Ming Dynasty surgeon performed an operation using iron scissors and forceps, and today we have detected traces of anesthetics on these instruments using a laser beam. This is the first time humanity has found direct chemical evidence of anesthetics on ancient surgical instruments, proving that our ancestors already knew how to safely relieve patients’ pain using highly toxic herbs,” said researcher Zongzhang Zhao of Northwestern University of China.
During the analysis, the scientists used modern technology—microscopic imaging with stimulated Raman scattering (SRS).
The method allowed them to examine even microscopic traces of substances without damaging the archaeological artifacts.
As a result, the scientists discovered three tiny red particles on the scissors and tweezers. They contained traces of aconitine.
The substance was likely derived from the plant Aconitum carmichaelii, known as Chinese aconite, which has long been used as a poison.
Ancient Chinese medical texts indicate that doctors knew methods to reduce the toxicity of aconitine. To do this, they used boiling in vinegar, soaking in a decoction of black soybeans, and other purification methods.
After special processing, the preparation was likely used as a local anesthetic prior to surgical procedures.
Scientists believe that the discovery demonstrates the high level of medical development in China during the Ming Dynasty and the knowledge of ancient doctors regarding pain relief and surgery as far back as six centuries ago.
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