Amy takes us back a half century to a remote area in China. Amy had been trained in Shanghai as a medical assistant. She had become a “barefoot doctor” at age 16, working with peasant farmers in the rice fields. She had only received about 6 months training and was scared by the medical situations she was asked to assist with. Amy recalls that there were “medicine men” and “medicine women” in the rural areas who were knowledgeable with herbs.
She, a “barefoot doctor” associate and a “medicine man” friend would travel together to the 18 villages they were responsible for.
She recalls a young kid who was chocking. Amy used a straw to suck the blockage out of his throat.
There was a “medicine woman”, skilled at helping with childbirth. Amy found out she had been sent away, but no explanation was given. Amy was assigned to help with a birth in which the baby did not come out. When the baby finally did come out, the woman was bleeding badly. Amy set out after the “medicine woman”. They had a long hike, but eventually found her. She had some medicine that had to be prepared.
When they returned with the medicine and gave it to the woman, her bleeding stopped within two hours.
Amy was curious why the medicine woman had been sent away. She said she would tell her later. Amy recalls that malaria and leprosy were common in the region. Amy still uses the herb the medicine woman had shown her.