Scrape the Poison off the Bone

This is a story from Three Kingdoms. Guan Yu was hit by a poisonous arrow in the right arm while attacking Fancheng City. When his men took the arrowhead out， they found that the poison had already seeped¹ into the bone， so they persuaded him to go to Jingzhou for treatment. Determined² to take over Fancheng City， Guan refused to retreat. Seeing Guan's wound getting worse day by day， they sent out scouts³ to look for famous doctors. One day， a man named Hua Tuo came by boat to the camp especially to cure Guan Yu. Guan asked him about how he would heal the wound. Hua said： “I am afraid that you will be scared， so Isuggest that we set up a post with a loop to tie down your arm with rope. Then， when your eyes are covered， I will start the operation.” Guan laughingly said， “That's necessary.” Then he gave orders to hold a dinner for Hua Tuo. After drinking several glasses of wine， Guan started to play chess. At the same time， he reached out his right arm to Hua Tuo and said， “It is at your disposal. I have no fear.” Hua cut the skin and flesh open and scraped the bone with scalpel. Everyone present covered his eyes while Guan continued drinking and playing chess. In a moment， the blood filled a basin. When the poison was scraped off the bone， Guan stood up and smilingly said， “Now my arm can move freely just like before. Mr. Hua Tuo， you are a magic doctor！” Hua said， “Since I started medical practice， I have not seen anyone like you. You are a magic general.”

刮骨疗毒

关羽攻打樊城时，被毒箭射中右臂。将士们取出箭头一看，毒已渗入骨头，劝关羽回荆州治疗。关羽决心攻下樊城，不肯退。将士们见关羽箭伤逐渐加重，便派人四处打听名医。一天，有人从江上驾小舟来到寨前，自报姓华名佗，特来给关羽治伤。关羽问华佗怎样治法？华佗说：“我怕你害怕，立一柱子，柱子上吊一环，把你的胳膊套入环中，用绳子捆紧，再盖住你的眼睛，给你开刀治疗。”关羽笑着说：“不用捆。”然后吩咐宴招待华佗。关羽喝了几杯酒就与人下棋，同时把右臂伸给华佗，并说：“随你治吧，我不害怕。”华佗切开肉皮，用刀刮骨。在场的人吓得用手捂着眼。再看关羽，一边喝酒，一边下棋。过了一会，血流了一盆，骨上的毒刮完，关羽笑着站起来对众将说：“我的胳膊伸弯自如，好像从前一样。华佗先生，你真是神医呀！”华佗说：“我行医以来，从没见像你这样了不起的人，将军乃神人也。”