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A CHINESE VIEW OF THE PLAGUE.
The following translation from a Chinese publication gives the latest theories and treatment of the plague, and as it is a peculiar document I give it in full. The translation has been kindly supplied by Mr. J. DYER BALL. It should be noticed that the author lays great stress on what one might term the "disinfection of the family well," I am convinced with a considerable amount of reason. Although the various wells through the City of Victoria are much better built than some of those I have seen in other Chinese places, and in the foregoing report I have given a guarded opinion as to the question of their pollution in Hongkong, still I feel pretty certain that in Canton these wells had a good deal to do with the propaga- tion of the Epidemic. The treatment recommended closely resembles what I saw in the Chinese Hospitals here and represents the most advanced views of Chinese Medicine.
Notification by Planchette by the God of War of precious instructions to rescue the world -a harmless remedy to drive away the plague. Do not consider the words as too many. It is urgently requested of yoru that you must carefully read this and reverence paper with characters on it.
Whereas we have heard that calamities are caused by atmospheric influences and destiny-Good deeds can cause an avoidance of them. The terrific plague has recently been prevalent; it depresses the hearts and is painful to the sight. Although already people of the whole place distribute prescriptions and medicines free, and offer up all manner of prayers to avert the calamity, which means are the best that men can devise as preventives, yet the noxious influences have not been swept away. The reason of this failure is because the people have not done all the good deeds that they should to move Heaven and gain its approval.
It so happened that the gentlemen of the Society for Offering up Good Deeds, who had been eye-witnesses of the existing calamity, on the night of the 5th day of the 3rd moon, fasted and bathed their persons and reverently invited the gods to proclaim by Planchette a cure for the plague, to help the world. By good luck they were favoured by the presence of Kwan Tai (the God of War) who descended from heaven to put his hand to the pen (of the Planchette) to write out bis instructions which are more than a timely warning.
Really this god has an ardent desire to awaken the sleeping world and to instruct the people !
Should we not earnestly reform betimes?
With respect we record below the words of the Planchette in full:-
[This is followed by three sets of scribblings representing the markings of the planchette. The first is not like any writing at all, and no translation of its import is given. From what follows it is evidently intended to represent the halberd of the god. "Revelations by Planchette" Nos. 2 and 3 have, however, renderings of their meaning given as below. They are somewhat like writing.]
Revelation by Planchette No. 2:-
The seal of Kwan So-and-So, Assistant Superintendent of the Depart-
ment governing Pestilences.
Revelation by Planchette No. 3:-
Honesty, Bravery, Intelligence.
The unworthy know their unworthiness themselves.
Revelation by Planchette No. 4 :--
I am the Great Han (dynasty) Kwan So-and-So.
I inform you who seek for medicine.
If worshippers ask concerning the things of the present,
You must know that the year has arrived at such a stage as not to be
peaceful;
And moreover near the city is a coal mine,
And irritating poison has collected for a long time and is very powerful. You at ordinary times are wicked and rude.
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