Journal paper

Issue No.	No. 38
Title	The Medical Activities of Folk Secret Religious Sects in Ch’ing Dynasty—A Discussion on the Medical and Religious Behavior of the Patients
Author	Chiu Li-chuan
Page	153-188
Abstract	The development of folk secret religious sects flourished in Ch’ing period. The sects were widely prevalent among the lower strata society. According to the record of official files, many masters of the sects preached their sects by means of medicine, because it was easier to attract common people to joint their religious activities. The medical methods of the sects included Chinese medical science (such as massage, acupuncture), treatment by tea eaves, reciting scripture and incantation, drawing charms, drinking charm water, burning joss sticks, meditation, circulation of breath, etc. These masters of sects who cured disease of the patients included many kinds of status, such as healers of Chinese medical science, diviners, fortunetellers, medicine-sellers, strolling doctors, quacks, craftsmen, traders with a small capital, farmers, laborers, monks, taoists, and some female. 　　Bacically, because the folk medical treatment of these healers was simpler and easier, they learned medical methods from masters of the sects or members of their family. There were few healers utilized medical methods by their own creation. The masters of the sects preached religious doctrine during the process of medical treatment, in order to attract the patients or their household to attend the sects. The aims of these healers who persuaded positively the patients to become the belivers were for expansion of the sects and economical benefits. For these healers could gain money for medical trearment and offering from the patients, it could urge them to preach the sects by medicine.
Keyword	Folk Secret Religious Sects, Peachment by Medicine, Folk Medicine, Healer,Strolling Doctor
Attached File