CHINESE DOCTORS' PRESCRIPTIONS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2361, 10 May 1901, Page 6

CHINESE DOCTORS' PRESCRIPTIONS.

The ways of the Chinese medical man are certainly, like those of the heathen Chinee, peculiar. Chinese medicine is chiefly based on plants, and is taught in books which are often very ancient. In his practice the doctor strictly follows the methods of the master by whom he has been taught. He is, above all things, conservative. With a very grave face, his eyes protected by "large spectacles of thick glass, the physician feels the pulse of the patient, and never fails to make him show his tongue. Next he examines his eyes and asks a scries of questions, the answers to j which will help him out in his diagnosis. I Then he writes his prescription on a piece of 1 rice-paper, and hands it to his pupil, who proceeds to compound it. It should be observed that Chinese doctors both prescribe and sell their remedies. Generally the pre- : scription is made from the directions in some i book, which are simply referred to by name or number. The pupil goes to the book for ' directions. The seeds, herbs, leaves, and and stems, the essences of which are to be combined to form the remedy, arc generally ' weighed out or measured, and given to the i patients with directions to boil them at home i with a prescribed quantity of drinking water to a measure which is exactly indicated. I " Put all these plants into an earthenware pot with a large glass of water, and boil them over a bright fire down to a teacupful; then strain carefully and drink hot." The remedies are all taken in bed, and rest or sleep, if possible, is recommended. The potions as administered have very powerful effects. Chinese doctors have various de vices to make their products attractive. They have luxurious shops, and modify with liquorice and other substances their vilely tasting pills. These pills are enclosed in capsules of wax as large as pigeon's eggs, which preserve the compound from contact with the air.and are broken when the remedy is taken. One of the remedies is the Dau-nhu-y, a medical oil which produces excellent effects in headache and generally in cases of brain weariness of every kind. It is rubbed on the temples, and is inhaled by strong breathing after having been rubbed upon the nostrils. The basis of the preparation is camphor.