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Musical Tones

It is a matter of common information that the ancient Chinese based their knowledge of herbal remedies upon the relationship between the five principal internal organs of the human body and the five natural elements; viz., the Mineral, Vegetation, Water, Fire and Earth elements. However, very few people know that the ancient Chinese went so far as to base the five principal musical tones (1, Kok; 2, Ching; 3, Kong; 4, Sheng; 5, Yii) upon the five principal elements in connection with the internal organs of the human system. The first tone, Kok, is identified with the vegetation element and is related to the liver; The second, Ching, with the fire element (the heart); The third, Kong, with the earth element (the stomach and the spleen); The fourth, Sheng, with the mineral element (the lungs); and The fifth, Yii, with the water element (the kidneys). If a Chinese musician plays without knowing how the five principal musical tones were derived, he lacks ability to appeal to the five principal organs of the human system. Likewise, the Chinese Herbalist who lacks a fundamental knowledge of the five principal elements and their relation to the five principal human organs is incapable of detecting the ailments of those sufferers who are in such pain that they cannot talk coherently but can only groan and murmur. To cite a local case by way of illustration: In the year 1918, the son of a former pastor of the Chinese Presbyterian Church became desperately ill. The poor boy was in such pain that he could not tell his father where his pain was but could only howl and groan with pain day and night. The father, an experienced herbalist with a fine -(7)stock of herbs at hand, did the very best he could for his son, but all to no avail. Finally, in despair, he called up Fong Wan and begged him to come at once to see his son. Immediately upon stepping inside the house and before he had reached the room where the boy lay in agony, Fong Wan knew exactly what was the matter upon hearing the voice of the boy in the loud cry of pain. He told the father that his son's liver had become overheated by the fire element and that his trouble was inflammation of the liver and intestines. He then directed the father to compound immediatley certain varieties of herbs to allay the inflammation. The father, having everything at hand, proceeded at once to prepare the herbs, and after the boy had drunk a cup of the tea, he fell into a restful sleep. The father continued the treatment, and within a few days the boy was not only out of danger but had practically recovered. Although prior to that time the boy had suffered from the same ailments off and on for over ten years, there has been no return of the malady since.

A similar case was that of Mr. Ben Nowick, who suffered terribly from the Flu, and who, after the physicians had given up all hope of his recovery, was taken back to his home from the temporary hospital at the Municipal Auditorium in Oakland. He also groaned with pain day and night. Upon hearing his voice, Fong Wan recognized the first tone, the Kok, which is associated with the vegetation element and the liver. After the first cup of tea, Mr. Ben Nowick slept nearly all night, and his recovery was rapid.

Many sufferers make a low moaning sound. This is the tone of the Yii, and signifies kidney trouble. A loud, cranky, quick-tempered voice indicates an ailment of the heart. The tone of the Ching represents the fire element of the heart. A crying, choking voice signifies trouble in the lungs, while a sighing sound directs one to the spleen, intestines, etc.

The detection of ailments in this way by listening to the voice is frequently far more accurate and successful than are many of the exhaustive examinations made by medical men. A reader of this article, by carefully following suggestions, will be able to discover for himself the ailment of any person who is suffering severely. -(8)-