Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-02-14
CHINESE MEDICAL LORE.
SOME STRANGELY ABSURD IDEAS
ABOUT HUMAN ANATOMY.
How the Lungs Are Representative
the Chinese Medical Books Teach-Nins
Divisions Of Disease-Favorite Remedies
Celestial surgery-Ginseng.

Surgeon George W. Wood, of the United
States navy, has been investigating the
study and science of medicine in China
He finds that the profession has no scien-
tifc knowledge. Medical literature con-
sists largely OF elaborate records Of the ef-
fects of various doses.
The study Of anatomy in China Is some
thing funny. This branch is taught by
diagrams The Chinese doctors never
dissect. According to the charts which
represent the Chinese ideas Of the internal
organs which have been handed down
from ages back, the trachea or wind pipe
goes to the heart, and from there three
tubes radiate to tho liver, spleen and kid
neys. The esophagus or food passage
goes to the stomach. Even a Chinaman
could hardly miss that connection
The lungs are represented as hanging to
the spinal column and as being white in
color, perforated with holes for letting in
air. The kidneys are likewise hitched to
the backbone. The small intestines play
the part Of connection between the heart
and the bladder, while the large intes-
tines are attached to the lungs. The
spleen connects with tho stomach as q
kind Of ell, and the YER, according to
Chinese anatomy, is an immense organ
with seven lobes. Such q thing as the
nervous system is not known.
WHAT THE MEDICAL BOOKS TEACH.
Chinese medical bs oks teach that the
chest is the vital center, the seat of joy,
pleasure and health In the brain is
located the principle of perfection. The
liver is the abode of the soul, and controls
the formation of schemes and enterprises.
The gall bladder is the region whence
comes the supply of courage.
There are nine divisions Of diseases rec
ognized by the Chinese profession. They
are considered distinct. Separate instruc-
tion is given on each class, and specialists
devote themselves to one Of these divis-
ions These classes are as follows
Those affecting the pulse feebly; those
affecting the pulse violently; those aris-
ing from cold; female diseases; cutansous
diseases; diseases requiring acupuncture;
ophthalmic affections: diseases Of the
mouth and adjacent parts; diseases Of the
bones. The materia medica Of the
Chinese profession is something stipend
GUS.
The Pan-Tso, their standard work,
Is in thirty-eight volumes. 1t presents
II 500 formula, into the makeup Of which
over 1 800 substances enter. While there
is almost no end to Chinese drugs, there
are some substances which are favorites
in the practice. Among these are claws
and bones Of the tiger and other wild ami
mails, the cuttle-fish, dragons teeth, fos-
sils, the hide, horn and bones of the ele-
phant and rhinoceros, the scorpion, snake
skins, SCOT and SO on.
A favorite remedy Is known as .the
tincture Of five poisons," made by sleeping
scorpions, snake, and other venomous
creatures in samshu This is given for
fever, rheumatism, and catarrh. In some
parts of China 1t is considered the very
highest decree of philanthropy for the
rich to place this tincture at their door,
to be used without cost by the poor
Gunpowder, termed "fine drug is used
as a vermifuge A sensible remedy, which
Is of comparatively recent introduction
among more enlightened people, Is the
gixzard Of the common fowl, prescribed
for dyspepsia. But the great cure-all
with the Chinese is ginseng root. The re-
semblance which the roots often bear to
the human form, either as the result Of
natural growth or skillful trimming, Is
given as the reason for the Chinese faith
in the universal efficacy Of this drug.
Large and choice specimens Of thu root
are carefully preserved in embroid
cred coverings and inclosed in cases Of
varying sizes, the whole being locked in
brass-bound chests. An extraordinary
fine specimen is worth $500. The hunting
Of these roots is pursued with all the ardor
Of gold-seeking.
CUPPING, LEECHING AND LANCING.
The Chinese have little use for surgery.
They resort TO cupping and leeching and
lancing on q small scale. and that is about
as Tar as they 60. Morbid growths are re-
moved with what is known as the five
tigers specific composition Of sulphate
Of iron, alum, nitrate Of potash, metallic
and verditer. In only one re-
spect is their surgery heroic. They will
shove needle into the body anywhere
about as far as it will go.
The pulse is almost entirely relied upon
In making q diagnosis and is the subject
Of elaborate teaching and study. The
physician, in the presence of his patient,
does little more than examine the pulse Of
both wrists, and In the case of female,
IL permitted to make this examination
only, the arms being protruded from be-
hind q screen. They are played upon at
three points, from each of which the
learned man gets twenty-four indications.
These give positive information Of the or
gan involved, and its exact condition, en-
able him to give prognosis- This exam
nation is made with great solemnity.
The Ithree pulses commencing at the
hand are designated as inch, bar and
cubit, and the sympathy existing between
the pulse and the internal organs enables