A Comprehensive Look at Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture

Author: Li Yunchang et al. (Editor-in-Chief)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2007-01-01
Features: Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine are entirely two different medical systems. Western Medicine is a product of Western cultural background and is a microscopic biomedical molecular medicine. It has now moved from the cellular level to the genetic level, demonstrating the great achievements of contemporary medical science and will make new contributions to human disease prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and health care. In terms of diagnosis, it adopts all modern scientific and technological methods, from X-rays to laboratory tests, from ultrasound to CT scans, to magnetic resonance imaging—all are serving it. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, targeted treatment is implemented. Some diseases indeed show immediate effects. However, while humans enjoy the blessings brought by modern medicine, the unintended toxic side effects caused by chemical drugs have also emerged, leading to new suffering caused by medical and pharmaceutical issues. People are forced to turn their attention to the East, amazed by the mysterious theories and miraculous effects of TCM, seeing hope in the "green revolution," and thus entering China, entering the grand medical hall of TCM. TCM is a product of the Eastern cultural and philosophical system. It views the human body as a microcosm and the natural world as a macrocosm, being a macro-level holistic medicine based on the harmony between heaven and humanity. Yin and Yang are its living soul, and quantifying and assessing Yin and Yang with modern medicine is impossible. However, this does not mean it is unscientific; it can only be considered an unknown. It must be admitted that the advanced diagnostic methods of modern medicine have undoubtedly brought the effect of "using foreign things for one's own purposes" to TCM. But these test results are merely validations for TCM diagnosis, and the subsequent syndrome differentiation and treatment still rely on the "masterstroke" of the pulse phenomena observed through the four diagnostic methods (inspection, auscultation/olfaction, inquiry, and palpation). The brilliance of TCM lies here. For example, if someone seeks medical attention, after a series of mechanical examinations and tests by Western Medicine, no physiological abnormalities are found, and the condition is diagnosed as a "neurotic disorder."
The book centers on medical figures, focusing on vivid and concrete examples. It begins with praises of divine physicians, followed by nine sections: Medical Ethics, Medical Critiques, Medical Satires, Medical Laughter, Medical Studies, Medical Theories, Medical Health Care, and Medical Innovations. From ancient to modern times, from China to the world, from urban hospitals to rural barefoot doctors, from renowned physicians to mediocre ones, from medical ethics to medical customs, from medicine to famous scholars, from experience to lessons, from practice to theory, from inheritance to innovation—through multiple layers, aspects, and perspectives, the book vividly introduces the history and current state of the development of TCM culture.