Medical science made considerable progress in the course of centuries The materia medica, system, practice, and literature of the healing art were borrowed from China; but upon these, as upon most other matters, the Japanese improved. Acupuncture, or the introduction of needles into living tissues for remedial purposes, was much improved by the Japanese. The puncturing needles, as fine as a hair, were made of gold, silver, or tempered steel, by experts.
The bones, large nerves, or blood vessels were carefully avoided in the process, which enjoyed great repute in cases of a peculiar violent colic, to which the natives are subject, and which sometimes becomes epidemic. On the theory that this malady was caused by wind, holes were made in the stomach or abdomen, to the mystic number of nine -- corresponding to the nine apertures of the body.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
