[Correspondence] A global perspective on the history of anaesthesia

The overview of the development of anaesthesia by Thomas Schlich in The Lancet (Sept 9, p 1020)1 provided fascinating insight into the changing relationship between surgeons, physicians, and the patient's body in western medicine. A more global view of medical history affords the opportunity for other sensibilities. The first recorded use of a general anaesthetic in Japan was by Hanaoka Seishu in 1804,2 and it is possible that a similar approach was used by Hua Tao, a Chinese surgeon, in second-century CE.
Source: LANCET - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research