Hanaoka Seishū

Hanaoka Seishū
Hanaoka Seishū
BornOctober 23, 1760
DiedNovember 21, 1835 (aged 75)
Japan
NationalityJapanese
CitizenshipJapan
Alma materKyoto, Japan
Known forfirst to perform surgery using general anesthesia
Scientific career
FieldsMedicine, surgery
InstitutionsJapan
Academic advisorsNangai Yoshimasu (1750-1813)

Hanaoka Seishū (華岡 青洲; October 23, 1760 November 21, 1835) was a Japanese surgeon of the Edo period with a knowledge of Chinese herbal medicine, as well as Western surgical techniques he had learned through Rangaku (literally "Dutch learning", and by extension "Western learning"). Hanaoka is said to have been the first to perform surgery using general anesthesia.