Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08
IN TIME OF SICKNESS
Queer Nostrums in Which John Chi
naman Puts His Faith.
LITTLE KNOWLEDGE OF ANATOMY
Physicians Do Not Even Have to
Have a Certificate.
GIVE MIGHTY MIXTURES
Written for The Evening Star by j. Thomas Scharf
(ex-U. 5. Chinese inspectorl

Written for The Evening Star by J. Thomas Scharf
(ex-U. s. Chinese INSPECTOR.
My experience among the Chinese has
brought me in contact with the strangest
medical system in the world If any 10
cal county medical society were to look
into the methods pursued by the Chinese
physicians in the United States there
would be found material enough to keep
that society occupied in the law courts
for years.
1t is a fact not generally known that
nearly every Chinese mercantile store in
this country has attached to it Chinese
doctor and pharmaceutical department.
In China every one chooses his own occu-
patton, and any person may assume the
title of physician without having given
previous evidence of his professional COM
potency There are no medical colleges
and no examination tests exist to worry
the minds of the would-be practitioners.
And neither are diplomas asked for or
granted. Any quack or the most ignorant
pumpkin may become a practicing physi-
c1an, and by his success or non-succesS in
the profession he stands or falls. This I'M
limited liberty of selecting an occupation
has resulted in making the Chinese medi-
cal profession enormous, and when the Chi
neSe start business a Chinese doctor
is always included as one of the partners
ard he acts as physician and apothecary
Tor the firm In China Chinese apotheca-
ries, before they can carry on their bust
ness, must pass an examination and must
exhibit diploma from the examination
board. Medical study consists in mechani-
works. and, when possible, the Inherited
knowledge of remedies all in accordance
with the Chinese maxim, The older the
better"
hap
he retires with the common Chinese adage,
There is medicine for sickness. but none
Tor tate Sometimes an invalid will go
to doctor and ask for how much he will
cure him and how soon the cure can be
performed. He states the diagnosis of his
case, the pulse is examined and every other
symptom investigated, when a bargain is
struck and portion of the price paid.
Inc patient then receives the suitable med
lcines, in quantity and variety better ftteN
Tor horse than man, for the doctor rea-
sons out that out Of great number it is
more likely that some will prove efficacous
ana the more he gets paid for the more he
ought to administer. A decoction of a ket-
tleful of simples is drank down by the sick
man. and he gives up both working and
eating: if however. at the expiration of
the time specified he is not cured he scolds
his physician for an ignorant charlatan,
who cheats him out of his money, and
seeks another, with whom he makes a sim
lar bargain, and with probably similar re-
suits. The visits and examinations are
very reasonable in price and vary in
amount from - cents to 81. The fee is
wrapped up in red paper and is called
golden thanks The prescriptions fur
nished are remarkably large
u.
" E'"iS spots.
Inc pathology (shang-han) of the Chi
nese is very incomplete All diseases esne
ciallv enider,ic dise.sos ora aa.;,'o, -
srir,,s o,1 I'll, , - ~
P''' On" Wins anu coiu ana warm hu-
mors, etc, are assigned in accordance with
their benign or malgn character to Yo ube
good principle) or VI, ftbe OWL nrino;,>,o,
To yn bo1or,rs o,,.o ;,,e,.- - p'e''
w. ''I ..' leFeF' TO
H. ntctc ieNer, etc lhere are, according
20 'hiieSe pathoioGy, 1000 varieties of
lessrS lhey imagine thefe IS a distinct
ana uii11reht puise IN every part of the
nouy- 1ney pay upon the pulses as is
uo!!e III playing tEe piano, where We feel it.
III 'nis Practce me changes of the moon
anu the season OF the year are considered.
me performances oiten lasts several hours
IN the heavenly spot upper part of
the carotld artery, or on the earthly spot"
near tne ankle, or the human spot at
the Wrist with three hngerS-sometimes on
tne rlght arm sometimes on the left, now
hiSher up, no" lower down, now on one
SIDE, again on both sides, etc. The three
myers used are the index, the middle and