Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1886-09-29
CHINESE MEDICAL SCIENCE.
The Treatment of Disease-Queer Ideas
and Remedies.


Surgeon George w. Wood, of the
United States navy, has been investi-
eating the study and science of medi-
cine in China. He finds that the pro-
fession has no scientific knowledge.
Medical literature consists largely of
elaborate records of the effects of various
doses.
The study of anatomy in China is
something 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
windpipe goes to the heart, and from
there three tubes radiate to the liver,
spleen and kidneys. The esophagus or
food passage goes to the stomach. Even
a Chinaman could hardly miss the con-
nection.
The lungs are represented as hanging
to the spinal column and as being white
in color, perforated with holes for let
ting in air. The kidneys are likewise
hitched to the backbone. The small
intestines play the part of a connection
between the heart and the bladder, while
the large intestines are attached to the
lungs. The spleen connects with the
stomach as kind of ell, and the liver,
according to the Chinese anatomy, is
an immense organ with seven lobes.
Such thing as the nervous system is
not known. Chinese medical books
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
recognized by the Chinese profession.
They are considered distinct. Separate
instruction is given on each class, and
specialists devote themselves to one of
these divisions. These classes are as
follows: /. Those affecting the pulse
feebly. 2. Those affecting the pulse
violently. 8. Those arising from cold.
4. Female diseases. 5. Cutaneous dis
eases. 6. Diseases requiring acupunct-
ure. Z. Ophthalmic affections. 8. Dis
eases of the mouth and adjacent parts.
9. Diseases of the bones. The materia
medica of the Chinese profession is
something stupendous. The Pan-Tso,
their standard work, is in thirty-eight
volumes. 1t presents 1886 formule,
into the makeup of which over 1900
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 bone of the ele-
plant and rhinoceros, the scorpion,
snake-skins, SCOT and so on.
A favorite remedy is known as "the
tincture of five poisons," made by steep
| ing scorpions, snakes and other venom
Gus creatures in samshu. This is given
| for fever, rheumatism and catarrh. In
some parts of China it is considered the
very highest degree of philanthropy
for the rich to place this tincture at
| their doors, to be used without cost by
the poor. Gunpowder, termed '.fine
drug is used as a vermifuge. A SEN
| sible remedy, which is of comparatively
recent introduction among more en-
| lightened people, is the gizzard of the
| common fowl, prescribed for dyspepsia.
But the great cure-all with the Chinese
| is gingseng root. The resemblance
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 the root are
carefully preserved in embroidered
coverings and inclosed in cases of vary.
ing sizes, the whole being locked in
brass-bound chests. An extraordinary
fine specimen is worth $500. The hunt.
ing of these roots is pursued with all the
ardor of gold seeking.
The Chinese have little use for surge.
ry. They resort to cupping and leech.
ing and lancing on small scale, and
that is about as far as they 60. Morbid
growths are removed with what il
known as ''the five tigers specific" {
composition of Sulphate Of iron, alum
nitrate and potash. metallic mercury
and verditer. In only one respect ii
this surgery heroic. They will shove
a needle into the body anywhere abou
as far as it will 60.
The pulse is almost entirely relied
upon in making diagnosis and is thu
subject of elaborate teaching and study
! The physician in the presence of his pa
tent does little more than examine thu
pulse of both wrists, and, in the case O
a female, is permitted to make this ex
animation only, the arms being pro
truded from behind screen. They ar
played upon at three points, from eacf
of which the learned man gets twenty
four indications. These give positive
information of the organ involved, ant
its exact condition, enable him to Civ