Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

Chapter 1255 Secrets of the Mountains and Wilderness (Part 1)

The man said his surname was Liu and that he lived in Liushugou Village, which is next to Hewan Town.

Master Liu was very talkative. He not only shared his experience with herbal medicine, but also talked about many local folk remedies for treating common diseases. Some of them sounded unbelievable, but upon closer examination, they made sense.

For example, fresh cactus can be mashed and applied topically to treat mumps; dried and powdered pumpkin stems can be used to treat habitual miscarriage; and earthworm and sugar solution can be used to treat burns.

Zhuang Qiwen and Zeng Yunhui listened with great interest and took careful notes. These practical experiences from the grassroots level are often an important source of medical innovation.

Master Liu was having a good time chatting, and finally lowered his voice and said, "Experts, I can see that you are truly capable and genuinely care about the people."

"To be honest, there are some more... more special diseases and treatments in our mountains. If you're interested, I can take you to a place to see them after the free clinic tomorrow. However, there are some things about that place that you city folks might not believe."

Chen Yang's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "Master Liu, what do you mean?"

Master Liu looked around and lowered his voice even further: "In these old mountains, there's a family that has a family tradition of treating a strange disease called 'snake-like' neuralgia after shingles, as well as various stubborn 'rheumatic diseases' (rheumatic diseases). Their method is very special; it's not about taking medicine, nor is it ordinary acupuncture..."

"I've heard the effects are miraculous, but the specific treatment method is very mysterious and usually not shown to outsiders. I only heard about it by chance from an older generation, and I have some connection with the old man in that family. If you are interested, I can try to introduce you."

Chen Yang exchanged glances with Zhuang Qiwen and the others. This sounded like some kind of special folk remedy, perhaps with unique features.

As he spoke, Master Liu glanced at Chen Yang and said with a smile, "I only came because I heard of Director Chen's reputation. I wouldn't have come if it were any other expert."

"Thank you for your kindness, Master Liu."

Chen Yang said, "After the free clinic ends tomorrow, if time permits, we would be very willing to visit and learn from you."

Master Liu happily agreed.

The second day of the free clinic ended amidst a flurry of activity.

The free clinic served nearly a thousand patients. Although the team members were exhausted, the sense of spiritual satisfaction they felt was indescribable.

That night, Chen Yang convened a meeting with the team members to summarize the gains and losses of the two days of free clinics and to arrange the work for the next day: continue the free clinics in the morning, and in the afternoon, if conditions permit, follow Master Liu to visit that mysterious folk doctor family.

"remember,"

Chen Yang cautioned, "We should maintain an open and learning attitude towards folk remedies, but we should also examine them with a scientific eye, taking the essence and discarding the dross, and paying attention to safety and ethics."

"Especially tomorrow, observe, listen, and ask questions. Do not attempt or comment without permission."

Everyone nodded and took note.

As everyone knows, the reason we were able to meet Master Liu this time was because of Chen Yang's reputation. Otherwise, someone like Master Liu would usually keep his distance from experts from other provinces.

The following day was the last half-day of the free clinic.

Perhaps due to the positive reputation built up in the previous two days, even more people came for treatment, and the line stretched from the health station all the way to the stone bridge at the entrance of the town.

Many of them came from even more remote mountain villages, some even setting off before dawn and walking for several hours along mountain paths.

Chen Yang's team was on high alert. With the experience gained from the previous two days of practice, everyone worked together more seamlessly, and their efficiency improved significantly.

Around 10 a.m., the son of the elderly man with heart failure came again, this time to share the good news and express his gratitude.

After taking the second dose of medication, the elderly person's condition stabilized further, the edema subsided significantly, and they were able to drink some rice porridge.

The doctor at the health center gave her a simple check-up. Her heart rate and breathing were stabilizing. Although she was still weak, she was undoubtedly out of the most dangerous stage.

Around noon, after seeing off the last patient, the two-and-a-half-day free clinic in Hewan Town finally came to an end.

According to rough statistics, nearly 1,500 patients have been treated, more than 1,000 prescriptions have been issued, and more than 100 acupuncture and massage treatments have been performed. Health guidance and simple treatment methods have also been provided to some patients with chronic diseases.

The local town government and residents were extremely grateful. They prepared a simple lunch and presented the town with a banner that read, "Benevolent Heart and Skillful Hands, Benefiting the Mountain Village."

After the meal, Chef Liu arrived as promised. He had changed into clean clothes and still had his honest and simple smile.

"Director Chen, experts, shall we set off now? That place is in a ravine further in from Liushugou. The road is not easy to walk, and we'll have to walk for a while," said Master Liu.

Chen Yang looked at his teammates. Although they were all a little tired, their eyes were sparkling with curiosity and anticipation.

"How's everyone's stamina? If not, some of you can stay and rest," Chen Yang asked.

"no problem!"

Xia Hongliang was the first to jump up: "What's a little mountain path? It's good for stretching our muscles."

Zhuang Qiwen, Yu Shiyun, and others also expressed their desire to go.

Chen Yang nodded and said to Dr. Sun and the people from the health center, "Dr. Sun, could you and your local colleagues please stay here and sort out the follow-up matters? We'll go visit Master Liu and try to get back before dark."

Dr. Sun agreed and then reminded Mr. Liu to be careful.

So, Chen Yang, along with Zhuang Qiwen, Xia Hongliang, Yu Shiyun, Zeng Yunhui, and other people who were willing to go, followed Master Liu and left Hewan Town, heading deeper into the mountains.

At first, there was a dirt road, but it narrowed as you went and gradually turned into a rugged mountain path. On both sides were dense bamboo forests and shrubs, and occasionally you could see terraced fields and scattered farmhouses.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees and the damp smell of earth. Birds chirped and streams babbled, creating a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the town.

Master Liu walked ahead with steady steps, clearly very familiar with the mountain road.

As he walked, he introduced, "Our mountains in Jiangdong have many good things. Not to mention medicinal herbs, the older generation recognizes all kinds of herbs for treating snake and insect bites and bruises. Many of the traditional Chinese medicines you use in the city may have their raw materials collected from our mountains."

Xia Hongliang asked with great interest, "Master Liu, what kind of treatment do you have for the family you mentioned that can cure 'snakes wrapped around the waist'? It's so mysterious!"

Master Liu slowed down and lowered his voice: "I've never seen how to do it either."

"I've only heard that the old man in that family, surnamed Lei, met a master when he was young and learned the skills of 'Thunderfire Moxibustion' and 'Medicinal Acupuncture.' He specializes in treating all kinds of cold and damp pain, stubborn neuralgia, especially the kind of pain left after 'snake-like' pain is cured. I heard that after a few 'Medicinal Acupuncture' treatments and some 'Thunderfire Moxibustion,' it can be cured completely!"

"'Medicinal acupuncture'? 'Thunder and fire moxibustion'?" Yu Shiyun repeated curiously, "Are they special acupuncture and moxibustion methods?"

Chen Yang was hearing about this for the first time, but he had a vague idea of ​​what it meant.