Chinese Idiom Stories 6: 病入膏肓(bìng rù gāo huāng)
In During the Spring and Autumn Period, the king of the State of Jin got seriously ill. The king once heard that there was an eminent doctor in the State of Qin, so he sent for this doctor.
The king had a dream before the doctor came. He dreamt about two children who were was whispering beside him. One of them said,"That learned experienced doctor is about to come, then we are in danger. Where can we hide?" The other child said,"There is no fear of it.Don't be afraid. We can hide in the region between the heart and the diaphragm. No matter how he use medicine, he just couldn't do nothing with us. will not be able to do anything to us."
The famous doctor came before long, he was called into the king's bedroom at once to heal the king. After the diagnosis the doctor told to the king,"Sorry, there's no way to cure this disease. The disease is in the region between the heart and the diaphragm. None of moxibustion, acupuncture or decoction could cure it. No way."
After hearing what the doctor said, the king thought it verifyed the conversation of about the two children in his dream. The king agreed and said,"Your medical skill is excellent!" Then the king gave a generous gift to the doctor and sent him back.
This idiom is used to for the describe when a disease has reached the point where there is no cure. And another meaning is that things to the point of no return.
Thanks Kin for correcting it!



