The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1913-01-25
N most interesting book, entitled
"Four Thousand Years of Medicine

N a most interesting book, entitled
L -Four Thousand Years of Medicine
in China" issued by Lee X. Chin of
San Francisco, the author, an eminent
Chinese herbalist, tells of the evolu-
ton of medical science since its incep-
tion in China, 1000 years ago, and of
the characteristic thoroughness with
which the physicians are prepared both
in the theory and the actual practice
before they are allowed to put out
their single" and prepare medicines
to relieve or cure their ailing brothers.
The Chinese theory of medicine is
based upon the hypothesis that illness
of any kind is caused by the conscious
or unconscious violation of Natures
laws, and that nature has supplied
the remedy for most human ills in the
roots, barks and leaves of her growing
herbs. The study of botany is there
fore the most important part of the
curriculum for a student of medicine
in China, and the highest Importance
is placed on this study in the award
ing of diplomas.
The Chinese scholar, both student
and physician (for the work of the
doctor does not end with his diploma),
knows intimately the appearance,
characteristics and habits of growth
of over 1000 plants. He studies them
in the fields and woods, bisects their
stems and flowers while growing "a
sort of vegetable vivisection) and
compares their juices and infusions
before and after drying. In short his
knowledge of botany and its applica-
ton to the practice of medicine is of
the very highest possible standard
very different from the cursory re-
view of the subject required in Amer
lea and in the European countries.
The Chinese herbalists use many
herbs and rare plants that grow in
China and out-of- the-way corners of
the world. Some of these are literally
worth their weight in gold and pos
sess unusual curative qualities.
In China many Of the medicinal
herbs are grown in great gardens I'M
der the expert eyes of botanists, gath
cred and dried in the sun or under
special conditions for particular re-
quirements. In these gardens the stu
dents of the universities are given the
opportunity of acquiring an intimate
knowledge of plant life, and they may
be seen stripping barks, gathering ten
der leaves and flowers from carefully
cultivated anu tHch
to the rooms where they are studied
in Gle under the supervision of the
pre- ssor and botanical expert in
-rge of the establishment.
In -Four Thousand Years Of Medi-
cine in China" the author points out
that Chinese physicians were imported
by the Caesars to care for the health
of the Roman courts and were in high
favor in European courts for the won
derful cures they wrought by means
of their herbs and for the marvellous
manner in which they diagnosed dis
eases by the pulse.
In the Encyclopedia Britannica 1t is
pointed out the skill of Chinese
herbalists was generally recognized in
the 18th century, when medicine as
now practiced in Europe and America
was unknown or undreamed Of Says
the encyclopedia in referring to a
period about the 18th century. Their
(the Chinese) physicians have thor
ough knowledge of the virtue of herbs
and an admirable Skim in diagnosing
by the pulse
The science of pulse diagnosis is
highly developed by the Chinese med
zeal practitioners, and two years are
allotted to this subject in. the curricu-
lum of the medical student. Symp-
tomato diagnosis. by which the phys