Hua To was born in from Pei Guo Jiao (today's Haoxian, Anhui Province). His father died when Hua was seven years old. His mother, not knowing how to support him, sent him to a Dr. Chai, a physician who had been a good friend of Hua's father.Surgeon, lived c. 200 AD.
Hua To was born in from Pei Guo Jiao (today's Haoxian, Anhui Province). His father died when Hua was seven years old. His mother, not knowing how to support him, sent him to a Dr. Chai, a physician who had been a good friend of Hua's father.
Hua was extremely gifted for medicine. He became such an outstanding surgeon that his fame spread through the empire and many legends developed around him. He remained, however, humble, was not interested in wealth and treated rich and poor alike. One legend reports that he once saw a man pushing a cart in the street with very discoloured complexion. He diagnosed acute appendicitis and operated the man on the spot. (Association for Asian Research, 2002)
Hua's main innovation was the use of complete anaesthesia with the use of appropriate drugs. This made him the most accomplished surgeon for many centuries. Unfortunately he did not have a successor, and his technique fell into disuse.
Hua To was not committed to surgery under all circumstances but used also acupuncture, physical exercises and psychology in his treatment. Another legend has it that he was once asked to treat a local governor. He diagnosed that the patient would have to vomit but did not know how to get the message across to the governor without being impolite. So he left without leaving a prescription but demanded an outrageously high fee. The governor flew into a rage, ordered Hua's arrest and execution and in the process began to cough heavily and finally vomited, releasing a blood clot.
The History of the Han Dynasty records a case where Hua was called to cure the wife of a general. Hua diagnosed a failed pregnancy as a result of an injury. The general said that his wife had already had a stillbirth and sent Hua away. Three months later the woman's condition deteriorated, and Hua was called again. He insisted that the woman still carried another foetus, and when it was removed she recovered quickly.
From these reports it is clear that Hua To was a surgeon well ahead of his time. Even Chinese surgery would not reach similar heights for several centuries.
Association for Asian Research (2002) Hua Tuo: A miraculous healer in ancient China
http://asianresearch.org/articles/895.html (accessed 25 November 2003)