CHINESE MEDICINE
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European notice in the last century through the publications of the Jesuit fathers.
Preventive medicine was only stressed in recent years by scientific medical men, but in China the idea that "Prevention is better than cure" has been advocated long ago. I quote the following passages from different writers in support:
In the Su Wen (†), The Basis of Chinese Medicine, supposed to be edited by Emperor Huang Ti (†), it is said: “The sage does not treat those who are ill but those who are well." Huai Nan-tzu (††) said: "The good doctor pays constant attention to keeping people well so that there will be no sickness.” In the Difficult Classic (##) (Nan Ching), it is said: "The skilful doctor treats those who are well but the inferior doctor treats those who are ill." In the Nei Ching (#) Canon of Medicine, it is said: "The good physician first cures the disease of the nation, then human ailments."
Hygiene and Public Health were also in an advanced state during the Chou (B) dynasty. The writings of Confucius (R), Huai Nan-tzu (†), Kuan Chung (4) and others contain numerous references to them. Thus, as regards food and drink, Confucius advised one to abstain from rice which had been injured by heat, moisture and turned sour; fish and meat that was stale; what was discoloured; what was of bad flavour; anything that was not in season, etc. The relation between contaminated food and disease was recognized. The Confucian Analects (3) said: “Diseases enter by the mouth." "Eat nothing that is improperly cooked." "Meat and wine bought from the street stands must not be taken.”
Many of the so-called "new" methods can be traced back to China. Take for instance Fletcherism; that is, thorough mastication of food. It was first advocated by an American, named Fletcher; hence the term. Mr. Gladstone, the Grand Old Man of England, who lived to be 85, was so convinced of its benefits that he chewed every mouthful of food 36 times before swallowing it. Strange to say, Ho Yang-heng long ago described: "Rice (i.e. food) should be chewed into pulp before swallowing. It nourishes the heart and abdomen. It tastes better and is more nutritious.
Again, health advocators teach that the teeth should be brushed twice a day. It is interesting to note that Sun Szu-mo (R) of