BONESETTING

Bonesetting after a fracture or a dislocation was performed by a Barincbi, a bonesetter, without medicines or surgical instruments. The Biirinchi would hold the fractured or dislocated part of the sufferer's body with his or her own hand. s, twisting it freely for some time, without any apparent pain to the patient. These bonesetters could reputedly cure bone disorders perfectly through a gift with which they were born. After the treatment, there would be no complaints at all, however serious the injury might have been. These healers had neither medical knowledge nor knowledge of any charms or magic, Tire Bnriachi had the bonesetting secret in their blood, and the art was passed on through generations.

A manual, Shn/i Dexinofniig (Efficacious Remedies of the Physicians), cemented the fame of Yuan physician Wei Yilin (circa 1277-1347) as an orthopedic surgeon in particular for his work in setting fractures and in treating dislocations of the shoulder, hip, and knee. He pioneered the suspension method for joint reduction, finally adopted into Western medicine in 1927, and employed anesthetics during his operations. A contemporary of Wei Yilin under the Yuan was Qi Dezhi, known for his book Waike fingyi (The Essentials of External Medicine), compiled from 1335 c. e. As well as describing various methods of therapeutic minor surgery, the book lists decoctions, tablets, pills, powders, and ointments used in the treatment of skin disorders. Qi Dezhi explained in his treatise on dermatology that imbalances within the body, disharmony between the yin and the yang invariably resulted in skin ailments. Herbal remedies and phytotherapy (use of herbs) were an integral part of his work.