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Once, a renowned doctor from ancient China, Bian Que, journeyed through the state of Qi, where the king summoned him. Upon meeting the king, Bian Que promptly assessed his condition, remarking, “Your Majesty, you are unwell. Without treatment, your condition may worsen.” The king, however, dismissed Bian Que’s concern, asserting, “I am not sick.” Later, speaking to his attendants, the king criticized physicians for profiting from unnecessary treatments.
Undeterred, Bian Que returned to the king five days later, expressing further concern, “Your Majesty, your ailment now affects your blood vessels. Neglect may exacerbate the condition.” Again, the king refuted any illness. Displeased, the king awaited Bian Que’s next visit. When the doctor returned, he glanced at the king and abruptly departed. Perplexed, the king dispatched his servants to inquire. Bian Que explained that while diseases of the liver, blood vessels, and intestines could be treated, once an illness reached the bone marrow, even the divine could not intervene. Regrettably, the king’s malady had progressed too far.
Five days later, the king fell seriously ill, seeking Bian Que’s aid. However, Bian Que had fled, and the king succumbed to his illness, as recounted in the “Historical Records: Biography of Bian Que Cang Gong.”
This tale illustrates the grave consequences of disregarding one’s health and ignoring medical advice. Today, many individuals also deny their ailments, avoiding check-ups or dismissing symptoms, hoping they’ll vanish on their own. Take Linda, a friend I met nearly 30 years ago. Despite her persistent smoker’s cough and declining health, she evaded medical care. Each year, our conversations were interrupted by her fits of coughing, yet she never sought treatment. Her reluctance proved fatal when a late-stage lung cancer diagnosis claimed her life at just age 45. For a long time, I felt guilty, wishing I had been more assertive in persuading her to seek care. However, her husband explained that she harbored an aversion to seeking medical help or adhering to medications.
These stories underscore the importance of early medical intervention. Diseases are manageable in their early stages but become incurable once deeply entrenched, as exemplified by Linda and the king’s unfortunate tales.
By Ginger Zhang Lic. Acupuncturist and herbalist in MA USA [email protected]
諱疾忌醫的医案
扁鵲過齊，齊桓侯客之。 入朝見，曰：「君有疾在腠理，不治將深。」桓侯曰：「寡人無疾。」扁鵲出，桓侯謂左右曰：「醫之好利也，欲以不疾者 為功。 後五日，扁鵲復見，曰；「君有疾在腸胃間，不治將深。」桓侯不應。 扁鵲出，桓侯不悅。 後五日，扁鵲復見，望見桓侯而退走。 桓侯使人問其故。 扁鵲曰：「疾之居腠理也，湯熨之所及也；在血脈，針石之所及也；其在腸胃，酒醪之所及也；其在骨髓，雖司命無奈之何 。 桓侯遂死。
–节选自《史记·扁鹊仓公列传》
