Hua To [Hua Tuo] was the first famous Chinese surgeon. He developed the
use of anesthesia, and furthered the limited Chinese knowledge
of anatomy. Unfortunately, the tradition of using surgery was
not carried on afterward (until Westerners re-introduced it),
as there were apparently no books or direct disciples of Hua To
to further the cause. When using acupuncture and herbs, he preferred
simple methods, using a small number of acupuncture points and
formulas comprised of only a few herbs. He practiced Chi-kung
[Qi Gong] and taught the "frolics of the five animals," a practice
still used today. His fame as a successful healer has led to his
name becoming a brand name for Chinese medical products, such
as Hua To Acupuncture Needles.
