Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-04
CHINESE DOCTORS ARE POPULAR.
Have a Big Practice in Western Cities
and Pharmacopoeia is Very Queer.

Z
From Chambers Journal
Among the most successful physicians IN
the United States, judging by the NUMBER
of patients they treat, are the Cnhnese
Their practice is by no means confined to
those of their own race. Strange as II may
seem some of them in the cities Of Cali
forna have a larger number Of patients
among the Americans than the doctors Of
other nationalities The Chinese doctors
may be divided into two classes, although
the American law does not recognize either
class as legitimate physicians. One class
treats persons of its own race almost en-
tirely and does not employ medicine so
much as It does amulets and what is called
in the United States magic to drive away
the evil spirits supposed to create disease.
Some of these quacks are to be found in
nearly all the western cities, but the nigh
er-grade Chinese do not patronlZe them.
The other class Of doctors assert that they
give treatment which their ancestors en-
ployed centuries before Christ, and that
the gift of healing has been handed down
to them through the ages. The majority
are the descendants of physicians who lived
either i'll the United States or China, and
In their Offices be seen ancient books
IN the native tongue, as well as gorgeousy
decora ted diplomas, which they cherish as
helrIooms. Such cities as San Francisco,
Sacramento, Los Angeles and other large
communities have physicians some of whom
receive from leo $50 American patients
for very few of them make visits unless the
Illness is very severe, when they charge
unusually large fee to repay them Tor
the time lost in leaving the office. The most
noted Chinese doctor, perhaps, on the Pa
cific coast died several years ago. He re-
sided IN Los Angeles, and actually received
fees amounting to between $4,000 and
S75. 600 yearly. Frequently in day he
pX1 mi n nd
dred persons, and his office hours were pos
itively from early in the morning until mid
night. The nephew of lie Pc Tai. the ply
stefan referred to- took up his uncle's prac-
tice in Los Angeles, and it is admitted, has
more cases than any of the American doc
tors In the city, although they number
about one hundred and fifty.
The method of treating sick persons
adopted by Chinese doctors in some cities
is similar to tina! of the other physicians
of the United States and those of Great
Britain. They depend much, however, on
the examination of the pulse. Their sense
of touch is so wonderfully developed that.
1t is claimed they determine the con-
dition of the heart as well some of the
other organs merely by the feebleness or
strength o. the beats; but they say there
are no less than twelve different movements
OF the arteries IN tho human body, all of
which can be detected by feeling the fin
gers, wrist and arm. When a patient calls
on him tor examination, the doctor first
presses the arm, wrist and fingers, touching
nearly every part. Sometimes ten or fifteen
minutes are occupied with this examination.
Then he may ask il the patient is married
or single. and also his age; but this is
about the limit of the examination. Appar-
entity he can tell the nature Of the disease
without questioning further. and IL the
caller wishes prescription he writes one
in the ordinary Chinese characters on a
generous sized square OF paper. Ringing a
bell. he hands the prescription to the Chi
nesc attendant who enters. for each ply
sician has his own shop, filled with the in
gradients which he uses in treatment. II
he has large practice he may employ
native chemist who makes up the prescrip-
tion One of the curious features of Chi
nese medical treatment is the way in
which the physicians administer their reme-
dies Nearly all the offices of the principal
doctors have what may be called tea
room attachment. This is a spacious apart
ment, well lighted. frequently ornamented
with oriental pottery and pictures. and con-
tanning small tables each with two or three
chairs. If the invalid does not wish to take
his medicine at home, he is ushered into
this room, and while seated at one Of the
tables drinks his prescription as he would
a cup of tea or glass of wine. With but
few exceptions the medicine Is in liquid
form. and served hot in dainty Chinese
bowls. for most of it is composed Of de-
coction of herbs. Each table contains a
bowl of raisins. and when the attendant
brings In the medicine he also brings In
glass of tepld water If the drink is bitter
the raisins to remove the taste, while with
the water he rinses his mouth and throat
Then he IS ready to so home. returning the
next day for another examination And dose