China Scene: Central

Something fishy about raw gallbladder medicine

A 74-year-old man was hospitalized for more than a week after he swallowed three raw fish gallbladders in Changsha, Hunan province.

The man, surnamed Jiang, swallowed grass carp gallbladders a week ago, hoping it would disperse the excessive "heat" in his body.

But he became critically ill an hour later and went to hospital for emergency treatment.

Doctors said Jiang was poisoned. Fish gallbladders are mistakenly thought to bring down an individual's "internal heat", doctors commented.

(Xiaoxiang Morning Post)

Tiger appeal gets big response nationwide

Many hospitals in the country have expressed interest in offering cataract surgery for a tiger in Xuchang Zoo in Henan province.

Some hospitals have even established special task forces consisting of senior oculists, in preparation for the surgery.

Xuchang Zoo said it is seeking experts from the around the country to carry out the surgery on its 19-year-old female tiger which has suffered from the disease since 2005.

The tiger is in danger of going blind unless surgery can be carried out soon.

(Dongfang Jinbao News)

Snowing money for villagers living by highway

A snowfall last week was welcomed by villagers along the Henan section of the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway.

More than 10 villagers each earned about 300 yuan ($41) thanks to the snowfall that caused traffic jams.

They sold instant noodles, eggs, boiled water and other products to drivers and passengers caught in the traffic jam.

(Henan Commercial News)

(China Daily 01/23/2008 page6)