[The evolution of the origin and connotation of the word Ma Zhui ("anesthesia")].

It has been a long time since people recognized the word "Ma Zhui (anesthesia)" which was also recorded in the medical literature of past generations, for example: anesthesia powder, the magic prescription of toad powder of Huatuo, magic sleeping powder, 'knock-out' drops etc. In 1846, etherization was applied in clinic successfully, since then modern anesthesiology has had a process of more than 150 years during which the concept of the word "anesthesia" changed constantly. Reviewing the evolution of the origin and the concept of the word "anesthesia" can be of benefit to recognize and understand the concept and nature of "anesthesia" to improve clinical anesthesia.