600-year-old Ming dynasty tools reveal earliest topical anesthetic from wolfsbane

Researchers analyzing two Ming dynasty iron surgical tools from the Xia Quan tomb in Jiangyin found residue containing aconitine, a highly toxic alkaloid from wolfsbane, detected with Raman spectroscopy and linked to a topical anesthetic prepared for minor surgeries after detoxification (likely with urine, vinegar, or similar substances). This marks the first direct chemical evidence of an anesthetic on ancient surgical instruments in Ming China.