Physiological and Pharmaceutical Knowledge in “Ninja” Society: Suggestions for Modern Anesthesiologists and Intensivists

Abstract

Anesthesiologists and intensivists are modern professionals who provide conscious sedation and respiratory care and prescribe medicines with potential toxicity. Similarly, ninjas, covert agent soldiers who carried out special operations in medieval Japan, also had ample knowledge of toxicology, psychology, human consciousness and respiration. Although the extent of their knowledge remains largely unknown, that which has been described in the literature appears to be practical and scientifically explainable from the standpoint of modern medical science.