Practical TCM Diagnosis

Author: Deng Tie-tao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-11-01
Features: The first part introduces the concepts, content, characteristics, learning and research methods, and prospects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis, presenting several viewpoints for reference. It then reviews the history of TCM diagnosis, showcasing the achievements of predecessors and discussing the origins and development of disease identification, diagnostic methods, various patterns, and case studies. Additionally, a section titled "Examples of TCM Diagnosis's Contributions to World Medicine" discusses the contributions of Chinese physicians to world medicine throughout history, aiming to enhance national pride and confidence in TCM. Due to space limitations, it only offers a glimpse of the broader picture. The second part is the core of the book. Following the format of TCM higher education textbooks, it elaborates on four diagnostic methods, eight principles, various patterns, and case studies. To facilitate clinical application, a chapter titled "Comprehensive Application of Pattern Identification Methods" is included, integrating various pattern identification methods into two major categories: external syndrome and miscellaneous disease diagnosis. It also proposes the "Three-Phase Ten-Step Method" for syndrome differentiation and treatment. The content of chapters such as "General Diagnosis of Various Clinical Departments" and "Differential Diagnosis of Common Symptoms" has been strengthened, and a chapter titled "Diagnostic Steps and Thinking Methods" has been added to deepen the understanding of TCM diagnostic thinking from multiple perspectives. The third part covers the modern research progress of TCM diagnosis. In the section on diagnostic methods, it introduces the modern research achievements in tongue diagnosis, sublingual venous diagnosis, pulse diagnosis, nail diagnosis, and diagnostic instruments. In the section on pattern research, it introduces the modern research achievements in liver syndrome, heart syndrome, spleen syndrome, lung syndrome, kidney syndrome, and pattern diagnosis standards. A chapter titled "Research on the Application of Computers in TCM Diagnosis" is also included. These aspects sufficiently reflect the development trends and achievements of TCM diagnosis over the past 20 years. At the end of the book, there are color illustrations on inspection, tongue diagnosis, sublingual venous diagnosis, and nail diagnosis, which are the results of years of research and are included for visual reference to enhance understanding. This book is a masterpiece by Deng Tie-tao, a renowned TCM scholar both in China and abroad, and is a specialized work for learning and researching TCM diagnosis. It is divided into three parts. The first part, guided by the principle of using the past to inform the present, systematically discusses the subject content, tasks, learning and research methods, and characteristics of TCM diagnosis after introducing it. It then elaborates on the history of the four diagnostic methods, various patterns, disease identification, and case studies, aiming to learn from history, broaden knowledge, draw lessons, understand the achievements and contributions of predecessors, and enhance confidence in learning TCM diagnosis. The second part is the core of the book, dedicating significant space to detailing the theories and technical methods of the four diagnostic methods, pattern identification, disease identification, and case writing used in TCM clinical practice. This includes overviews of diagnosis in various clinical departments and differential diagnosis of common symptoms. Professor Deng Tie-tao also wrote a chapter titled "Comprehensive Application of Pattern Identification Methods" from the perspective of simplicity and practicality, outlining unified guidelines for syndrome differentiation in external syndrome diseases, general principles for miscellaneous disease syndrome differentiation, and specific steps for syndrome differentiation and treatment. The book places special emphasis on analyzing clinical thinking methods, encouraging readers to connect diagnostic methods with disease identification, and pattern identification with treatment to achieve comprehensive clinical diagnosis and avoid misdiagnosis. The book also adheres to the "Diagnostic and Therapeutic Efficacy Standards for TCM Syndromes and Diseases" and the writing norms for TCM case studies promulgated by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. The third part covers the modern research progress related to the four diagnostic methods and pattern identification, helping readers understand the hot topics and achievements in modern TCM diagnostic research to keep pace with the times. The book is designed with a progressive structure in its discussions and clear, easy-to-understand language. It strives to retain the distinctive features of TCM in theoretical issues while making efforts to present a rich combination of text and illustrations. It is suitable for TCM students, clinical doctors, researchers, and enthusiasts both in China and abroad, serving as a high-level reference book and tool for TCM diagnosis.