Story perspectives

Ming Surgical Tools Reveal Ancient Aconite Anesthetic Use

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers detected an aconitine-like residue on the tips of Ming surgical scissors and tweezers.
Unearthed in 1974 from Xia Quan’s tomb in Jiangyin County, the tools in the Jiangyin Museum were examined by laser spectroscopy, which found the aconitine-like signature on their working ends.
The Antiquity article reports Ming physicians detoxified aconite with vinegar, mung beans or boys’ urine to make the anesthetic Caowu San, giving direct evidence of poison-based anesthesia.

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Story summary

Researchers detected an aconitine-like residue on the tips of Ming surgical scissors and tweezers.
Unearthed in 1974 from Xia Quan’s tomb in Jiangyin County, the tools in the Jiangyin Museum were examined by laser spectroscopy, which found the aconitine-like signature on their working ends.
The Antiquity article reports Ming physicians detoxified aconite with vinegar, mung beans or boys’ urine to make the anesthetic Caowu San, giving direct evidence of poison-based anesthesia.