Hua Tuo (simplified: 华佗, traditional: 華佗, pinyin: Huà Tuó) was a famous physician of the late Eastern Han. He was from the same region as Cao Cao (Qiao). Cao Cao summoned him to treat his head ailment; Hua Tuo is said to have proposed surgery. Cao Cao grew suspicious that Hua Tuo was prolonging treatment to gain favour; he had Hua Tuo imprisoned and the physician died in prison (208). Cao Chong, Cao Cao’s son, had been treated by Hua Tuo; when Cao Chong died (208), Cao Cao is said to have regretted having killed Hua Tuo. Hua Tuo appears in the Romance and in later tradition as a master of medicine and surgery.
Hua Tuo 华佗
Famous physician of the late Han; treated Cao Cao and others; said to have proposed surgery for Cao Cao's head ailment; was executed by Cao Cao.