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1997-2006： Chinese Peasants
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An Old Peasant with Chinese Medicine
The Peasant: I have been sick for some years. I spent 2,000 yuan on my disease the year before last year. I am in heavy debt. I have no more money for the medicine. It still hurts.... The unlicensed country doctor: There is no clinic in the village. The folks have to walk 20 km to see the doctor at the township clinic. For minor illnesses, they just leave them. The peasants lead a hard life. Most of them are malnourished, but they are driven under heavy labor. Their living depends on the mercy of the weather. Most sick peasants who come to buy medicine could afford ten cents or so. It would take them months to recover from a cold. We have an ironical local saying, "Here, if you get minor illness, lie down; if you get serious illness, hold on; if you could not hold on, go to hell".. |
