If the pulse seems like drops of water that fall into a room through some crack, and when in its return it is scattered and disordered much like the twine of a cord which is unravelled, the bones are dried up even to the very marrow.
"4.

Likewise if the motion of the pulse resembles the pace of a frog when he is embarrassed in the weeds, death is certain.
"5.

If the motion of the pulse resembles the hasty pecking of the beak of a bird, there is a defect of spirits in the stomach." Heredity is the most important factor in the evolution of a doctor in China, success in his career as an "hereditary physician" being specially assured to him who has the good fortune to make his first appearance in the world feet foremost.

Doctors dispense their own medicines.

In their shops you see an amazing variety of drugs; you will occasionally also see tethered a live stag, which on a certain day, to be decided by the priests, will be pounded whole in a pestle and mortar.
"Pills manufactured out of a whole stag slaughtered with purity of purpose on a propitious day," is a common announcement in dispensaries in China.