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de Fontaney F (1703). Letter to F de la Chaise, from Cheu-Chan (a port in the Province of ‘Chekian’), dated 15 February. [Edifying and curious letters, written from the foreign missions by some missionaries of the Company of Jesus]. In: Lettres Édifiantes Et Curieuses, Écrites Des Missions Étrangères Par Quelques Missionnaires De La Compagnie De Jesus. 34 vols. Paris: Chez Nicolas le Clerc, rue Saint Jacques, à l’Image Saint Lambert, 1703-1776. Vol. 7 (1707): pp. 234-244.
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Translation
[p 222] The [Chinese] Emperor had been studying our European medicines for two years, and particularly the lozenges that the King [of France] had distributed to the poor throughout his Kingdom. We indicated for him [the Emperor] all the illnesses that these cured in France, [p 223] & he saw from the reports of these experiments, that the lozenges resulted in cures which were so marvellous and so prompt, that a man in extremis, and for whom one expected only death, found himself out of danger the following day. These effects were so surprising that he named these lozenges Chin-yo, or divine remedies. The illness that [the Emperor] had begun to develop was a malignant fever. Although it was known from several clear examples that the lozenges could cure his illness, the Chinese Doctors judged it inappropriate for him to take them, and treated him in another way: but the Emperor observed that his illness was getting worse, and believing that it was extending to his brain, he decided for himself, &
Translation
[p 224] gave himself a half dose of the lozenges. The fever left him that evening, & he felt better during the following days: he experienced rigors of tertian fever [or: fits of ague], possibly because he had not been sufficiently purged. Although the rigors/fits were not violent, & did not last more than two hours, they made him anxious. He issued a proclamation through the whole Town, asking that if anyone knew of any treatments for tertian fever, these should be brought to his attention immediately, & that those who were currently ill with the disease should come to the Palace to be treated. There was no lack of things to do every day given the quantity of trials. A Bonze [Buddhist monk] particularly drew attention to himself. He obtained from a well a bucket of cold water, which was brought to him in [p 225] front of four of the most important Noblemen of the Court, designated by the Emperor to receive all the treatments that were brought, & to witness the proofs, and provide a report. These four Noblemen were Prince So-san, Mim-ta-gin, an uncle of the Emperor, & an uncle of the Prince, all four being Ministers of State, & of consummate wisdom. The Bonze filled a cup with this water, & leaving the room he presented it first of all to the Sun, lifting his hands & eyes to the Sky; & then turning to the four corners of the earth, he made a hundred postures which seemed mysterious to the pagans. When he had done this, he gave it to one of the people with fever who was waiting