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CHINESE SCIENCE AND ART OF HEALING

Chinese Science

The Sciences of Traditional China

1. Subject matter all systematic abstract thought about nature. = anthropological


- Seeking objective, driving forces of change within nature itself rather than like in religion
and magic, looking for explanations in terms of conscious will or emotion.
- In the basic rules of reasoning, when two things/beings equal, the simpler of the two
hypotheses is more likely to be worth taking seriously.
2. It take as scientific any data, discovery, or method that also plays a role in modern science.

Which historian of science uses (positivistic) to locate and identify anticipations of modern knowledge?

The two definitions lead to very different divisions of fields of science in ancient China. The positivist
whose main concern is early traces of modern science naturally classifies what he has found according
to today’ rubrics.

1. Cheng Heng, the inventor of the world’s first kown earthquake-indicating machine in the
1st century B.C., a seismologist. The early evaporation of urine become, by a subtly more
subtle reasoning, early biochemist. Lao-tzu the legendary mystic becomes a relativistic
physicist.

1. Medicine
- Includes theoretical studies of health and disease, therapeutics, macrobiotics or the theory
and practice of longevity techniques, sexual hygiene, pharmacognosy, and veterinary
medicine. Pharmacognosy is the study of materia medica, incorporated a large part of the
early knowledge of natural history as well as approaches to biological classifications.
2. Alchemy
- The science of immortality, which overlapped greatly in practice with medical macrobiotics.
Immortality was thought of the highest kind of health.
- Two major division:
1. External alchemy (wei tan)
- Immortality drugs were prepared by techniques largely based on the natural processes by
which minerals and metals were believed to mature within the earth, but in the laboratory
they were carried out on a telescope scale of time. A year of cyclical treatment by the
alchemist might correspond to a cosmic cycle of 4320 years.
2. Internal alchemy (nei tan)
- The interior of the adept’s body became the laboratory and the “cyclical maturation of the
elixir” was carried out by meditation, concentration, breath control, or sexual disciplines.

3. Astrology
- Anomalous celestial and meteorological phenomena were observed and interpreted in
order to detect defects in the political order. This science was based on a close
correspondence between cosmic and political realms.
o In the “field allocation theory” (2nd century B.C.) this was an actual mapping of
sections of the sky upon political divisions of the civilized world.
- The emperor was the mediator between the orders of nature and humanity.
o The ideal monarch drew his charisma from the eternal order of the cosmos,
radiating it in turn to inspire virtue- defined implicitly as value oriented toward
hierarchical order- in society. Because of his centrality, the harmony above and
below depended critically upon the Emperor’s ability to maintain his ritual and
moral fitness. Omens in the sky were thus an early warning that his responsibility as
Son of Heaven needed to be taken more seriously.

4. Geomancy (feng-shui)
- The science of “wind and water” which determined the auspicious placement of houses ad
tombs with respect to features of the landscapes. While the alchemy uses the yin-yang, Five
Phases, and other concepts of study, geomancy adapts them predominantly to topological
configurations. It has been considered as mere superstition, but to the point of reason that
it provides for expressing the status or wealth of a family in terms of control of its physical
environment in life and death. A theoretical approach to the aesthetics of land use.

5. Physical Studies (wu li)


- Three major approach to the theoretical principles behind the events of nature:
1. Mutation Studies
- Uses the conceptual apparatus of the commentaries to the Book of Changes, and is in
general as concerned with the social and political spheres as with nature.
2. Resonance studies (Hsiang lei)
- Elaborates the notion that physical interactions are prompted by or controlled by
categorical associations and correspondences, set out in terms of yin-yang and the Five
Phases.
3. Correspondences Studies (ko chih/ko wu)
- This tendency brought to bear on interesting natural phenomena of the more sophisticated
concepts of the Neo-Confucians and their concern for the didactic applications of their
insights, as they were committed to the integration of nature. Society, and the individual
psyche. The term wu li (the pattern principles of phenomena) was ultimately redefined to
become the standard equivalent in modern Chinese for “physics.”

6. Mathematics (suan)
- Which was on a the whole numerical and algebraic approach rather than geometric, and
oriented towards practical application rather than toward exploration of the properties of
number and measure for their own sake.

7. Mathematical harmonics (lü or lü lü)


- It arose from the discoveries about the simple numerical relations between sound intervals,
and explored the dimensions of resonant pipes. The importance of music in ceremonial
made harmonics part of the intellectual trappings of imperial charisma. The very special
nature of its connection with other kinds of activity ties to the dynastic legitimacy.
Chinese Art of Healing

MEDICAL DOCUMENTS AND WORKS

At the beginning of the present century excavations in the northern part of what is now the province of
Honan brought to light the valuable finds dating from the Shang-Yi period, including characters written
on bones which were used for prophesying.

Here they also found, for the first time, characters referring to various diseases, including the character
for “mange.”

The first written finds tells us nothing of medicine, they merely give the names of diseases and plants
which were later used for medical purposes.

Ex: Book of Songs (Shih Ching) compiled during the 10//6th cent, where we will find a large number of
plants later commonly used in medicine, ex. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

The Book of Changes (I Ching), is of fundamental importance for the art of healing.

In the appendix, entitled “His-tz’-û” the terms Yin and Yang appeared for the first time.

Yin= negative (for dark, cold, feminine)

Yang= positive (for light, warm, masculine)

The Great Principle (Huang Fan) and The Book of Scripture (Shu Ching)

- Handed down from the Han period,


- Harmony between Man and the Universe
- Five elements and the division into these elements

Historical works:

Tso Chuan- a commentary compiled by Tso Chui-ming. It contained the first mention of acupuncture.

Historical Records (Shih Chi)- writted during 1st century B.C.

- Account of the life of the celebrated doctor Pien Ch’üeh (5th Century B.C.)
- The first to diagnosed by feeling the pulse of a patient.

History of the Late Han Dynasty (Hou Han Shu)

-In this time, medical knowledge was collected in large encyclopedias and lexicons, literary documents
which deals with specific illnesses, give accounts of the lives of medical works.

Ex. Encyclopedia of the Emperor Tai Tsung (T’aip’ing Yii Lan)- contains 1015 chapters; Imperial
Encyclopedia (Ku-chin T’u-shu Chi-ch’êng) contains 10,084 chapters and summarized the entire range of
scientific medical knowledge.
First specific medical work: The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine (Huan-ti Nei-ching) which
Li Chu-kuo collected the popular medical books on medicaments and the medical writings of the
previous century.

-The collection is in a form of conversation with the Yellow Emperor and Ch’i Po, his court physician,
about the relationship between Man and Nature, elements, causes and cures of illnesses. They
discussed the medical importance of Yin-Yang, acupuncture, and moxibustion, massage and respiratory
therapy. The collection was later divided into two division: “Su Wen” and “Ling Shu”, which even
modern literature perpetuates.

The Book of Ailments (Nan Ching) was attributed to the famous doctor Pien Ch’üeh (5th Century B.C.)
who wished to create a rational basis for medicine in the fight against superstition.

INTERRELATION OF MEDICINE AND PHILOSOPHY

Five Epoch

1. Epoch of simple empiricism


2. Epoch of the formulation of theories
3. Epoch of the development of experience and theories
4. Epoch of divergence between theory and practice
5. Epoch of reconstruction and synthesis

Epoch of Simple Empiricism

- This era marks the beginning of art of healing in China.


- This simple observation of nature regard for climactic conditions, and above all recognition of
external symptoms of illness, all testify to a versatile, naïve empiricism accompanied by a
complete lack of systematization. Observance is ad hoc in character and interpreted with the aid
of magic elements, such as we find in the history of medicine in other cultures. During this time
stone needles were used as operating instruments, and a large number of medical herbs were
also employed, as was trespassing.

The Epoch of the Formulation of Theories

- Principle of Yin-Yang and the doctrine of the five elements


- The concept of the “Way” (Tao) exerted a strong influence on the medical thought, by virtue of
its particular character by Confucianism, it provided a basis for regarding illness and good health
as a phenomenon affecting all people indiscriminately and not conditionally depending on social
position.
- It is difficult to separate monastic and secular art of healing in China.
- There are Taoist court official, while Taoist hermits led a life of meditation or occupied
themselves with the cultivation of science.
- Another group of Taoist was concerned with magic, wizardry, the conquest of the ego
(transsubstantiation) alchemy, and matters affecting the prolongation of life.

(can be found in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine)


The Epoch of the Development of Experience and Theories

- This period is associated with the beginnings and development of relationship between China
and India. Contacts arose due to the result of Buddhist intervention. In addition to knowledge
regarding the causes of illness and the doctrine of the “noble eightfold path” the monks also
brought Indian culture values to China and thus made known the common methods applied in
India. This is why the monks concerned themselves with the art of healing, relief of suffering and
universal kindness to all living things are fundamental principles of the Buddhist doctrine.

Buddhist: Chinese medicine became of more immediate relevance to people because of the fact that
Buddhist medical descriptions despite their odd terminologies were more easily understood and
approximate to reality than Taoist medical writings.

Confucianism and Taoism: approached medicine from the theoretical point of view.

Ex: Field of respiratory therapy- yogic elements in Buddhism and Chinese medicine.

Confucianism point of view, the application of the surgical methods used in India was not possible since
it strongly opposed on philosophical grounds to any “mutilation” of the body. This was a severe loss to
the trad. Chinese art of healing since it prevented the development of practical anatomical knowledge
and surgical methods.

The Epoch of Divergence Between Theory and Practice

This period coincides with that of the Ming and Ch’ing dynasties, this features the opposing view of
official medicine and “folk doctors.” The Ming era was a time of stagnation in chinese development,
while Ch’ing period marked its absolute nadir.

-Medical literature predominated over original works and official doctors steadily gained in influence.
The grading of medical post merely represent stages in the social hierarchy and did not equate with the
corresponding degree of ability.

- The official state examination req a knowledge of traditional ‘classics’ works, together with their
commentaries, the various references to medicine in historical and literary works- even writing of
poems was part of the examination. Such state of examinations were expensive, since they were the
means of achieving social position, titles, and high office. The theoretical structure of the art of healing
lost whatever little foundation it originally had.

- The official doctor rarely practiced, and when they did it was only to treat a personage occupying a
high social position.

- The common people were looked after by the “folk doctors.” Which many of them had not passed the
state examination, and was forced to earn their living by treating poorer classes.

- There are also doctors interested in their patients and consequently did not bother with the theories of
the official doctors, they instead investigated the causes of illnesses and set down their finding in
writing.

As a result, important dynasties of physicians were founded and composed by doctors who had no
ambition to attain official status but followed their family tradition to devote their effort to the practice
application of knowledge. Thus “family tradition” and the handing down of medical knowledge from
generation to another by word of mouth to an extent unknown in the history of medicine in any other
culture. Strict secrecy was the only defense against the official doctors.

The Epoch of Reconstruction and Synthesis

This era began with the end of the Revolutionary War (1949) and is still developing. This include the
research of collecting, publishing, and examining the traditional art of healing according to the scientific
method.

The MAN and NATURE

Old Chinese philosophy regarded the human organism as a miniature version of the universe.

- Philo of Alexandria, Senecca, was the first to refer man as “a small world.”

The process which occur within the human organism, including illnesses, are connected with the
interplay of the five elements.

Man cannot be divorced from Nature, he forms an organic part of it and is closely linked to the universe.

Nature- macrocosm

Obeys the same laws

Man- microcosm

Antique Chinese primitive view:

Head Firmament
Hair Stars and constellation
Eyes and ears Sun and moon
Human breath; soul Wind
Blood Rain
Blood-vessels;“humors” Streams and rivers
Openings in the body Valleys
Skeleton Mountain
Heart Constellation of the Great Bear
Five elements (word, fire, earth, metal, water) Five interior organs (lungs, heart, kidney, spleen,
liver)
Four limbs Four seasons
12 large “sections” of the body 12 months
360 small “sections” of the body 360 days (Lunar calendar)

The empirical observations of subsequent times were based on the correct realization of the
interrelation between man and Nature. They no longer relied in magic but increased that abundance of
practical knowledge which often enabled the trad art of healing to achieve many surprising successes.

The PRINCIPLE of YIN and YANG


There is a constant struggle in the human organism, just like in Nature- its environment, between
opposing and unifying forces. Good or bad health is determined by the fluctuations of these conflicting
forces.

Yin Yang
Northern Southern
Negation, cold, dark, female Positive, warmth, light, male
Predominates= hypofunction Over-powerful= increased in organic activity

Just as the two forces are in constant conflict in the universe and yet at the same time form a whole, so
they also symbolize harmony or disharmony in the human organism. A balance Yin-Yang means good
health, but if the energy is displaced in any direction, it denoted illness.

- It produced in the human organism the inhalation and exhalation of air


- The condition of waking and sleeping.
- It accounts for the parallel between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

According to “Su Wen”

Yin and Yang represents

- Master of all living things


- Mother of change
- Origin of birth and death
- Each illness affects the whole body, since good health represents a condition of equilibrium in
the whole organism.

The FIVE ELEMENTS

- Book of Scriptures, “The Great Principle” traces the harmony between Man and the Universe
back to these five elements. They exist in a helpful and complementary relationship to each
other or they can work against one another and destroy themselves.
- In “Hung Fan” chapter, the number five does not merely refer to the five elements but to other
groups of five such as:
o Five qualities of taste
o Five seasons
o Five possibilities of happiness

Five Five Five taste Five Five Five Five stages of


elements seasons qualities Characteristic colors atmospheric development
influences
Wood Spring Sour Solidity and Blue Wind Birth
ease of
workability
Fire Summer Bitter Combustion Red Heat Growth
and heat
Earth Late Sweet Fertility Yellow Humidity Change
Summer (puberty)
Metal Autumn Sharp/pungent Fusibility White Drought Maturity
Water Winter Salty Fluidity Black Cold Storage

Fire- bitterness, derives from the boiling down of medicinal herbs

Water- saltiness, testified to the experience of coastal dwellers

Wood- sourness, to the discovery of certain acidulous substances of vegetable origin

Metal- sharpness/pungency, recalls the pungency of smoke produced when metal is melted

Earth- sweetness, suggest wild honey or sweet taste of corn

Five Five sense Five structural Five Fu’s (active Five Tsang’s Five
elements organs elements inner organ) (passive organ) Emotions
Wood Eye sinews Bile liver Anger
Fire Tongue Blood vessels Small intestine Heart Joy
Earth Mouth Muscles Stomach Spleen Anxiety
Metal Nose Hair Large stomach Lung Sadness
Water Ears Bones Urinary bladder Kidneys Fear

The Yin-Yang principle and the five elements are closely associated. The Yang energy can be
strengthened, but also weakened by the five elements, and the same applies to the Yin. The art of
healing differentiates between Yin and Yang organs, and to each of their own element. This Man fits into
the totality of Nature, becomes an organic part of it, and thereby fulfils the “Tao,” the universal law of
Nature.

This led to a kind of “philosophical anatomy” in which Nature and the human body coincide in numerous
respects. Both nature and man are subordinate to the Yin-Yang principle and the five elements.

Man and Climate

The traditional art of healing stresses the importance of investigating climactic influences and their
connection with various illnesses.

According to Ling Shu

In spring and summer the Yin is weak and the Yang dominates

Su Wen
Spring is the season of increasing vitality, fecundity in Nature, the time of restitution. During this period,
the liver can suffer harm if Man does not adjust himself to the natural order of things.

Summer is the time when celestial and terrestrial forces combine. Particular characteristic of this season
are cardiac diseases and “the intermittent fever” (malaria).

In autumn, the forces between heaven and earth balance out,and this season can be harmful for the
lungs.

Winter is the period when nature rest and it is now that kidney diseases frequently occurs.

Windy weather causes diarrhea, summer heat brought feverish illnesses. The autumn dampness
coincided with “coughing” and the winter cold with feverish ailments which broke out in spring.

Injuries by Five Qualities of Taste

Salty- veins become stiff and delicate, and the color of the skin changes.

Bitter- the skin will dries up and the person will lose his hair.

Pungent- he will suffer muscular pains and nails atrophy

Sweets- his ‘bones’ will be painful and his hair will fall out.

Modern medicine is investigating the effect of atmospheric and meteorological conditions on the human
organism.

Acupuncture is based on the flow of qi, or vital energy, through pathways in the body known as
channels, or meridians. Twelve regular meridians correspond to each of the six yin and six yang organs --
the spleen meridian to the spleen organ, the large intestine meridian to the large intestine organ, and so
on. Eight extra meridians are also used in acupuncture therapy.

Disharmony in an organ often shows up in its corresponding meridian: A person experiencing a heart
attack may also have a sensation of pain and numbness that travels down the arm into the little finger,
closely following the path of the heart meridian. Practitioners palpate a diagnostic point on the
corresponding meridian to assess the health of its related organ. In other cases, the meridians
themselves are treated.

A practitioner might treat a sore shoulder by increasing the flow of qi and blood through the large
intestine, lung, and triple burner meridians. The organs related to these meridians may be completely
healthy; these meridians are selected because they pass through the injured shoulder area.

Although they flow deep within the body, each meridian has specific points that can be accessed from
the surface of the body. There are 361 such acupuncture points on the meridians, as well as numerous
"extraordinary" points that may or may not be located on a regular channel. In addition, a full set of
points on the ears represent all the organs in the body and can be used to treat a wide variety of
medical conditions. Use of these points is known as auriculotherapy.

Acupuncture Image Gallery

acupuncture

Acupuncture needles made of stainless steel may be

coated in copper to add other benefits to treatment. See more

pictures of acupuncture.

Acupuncture points can be stimulated by means of pressure, heat, or needling. Each point has a specific
set of functions. Some of these functions have local effects, while some are systemic (affecting the
body's systems as a whole). For example, the stomach meridian consists of 45 points, stretching from
the head to the toes. A point just below the knee known as Dubi, or Stomach 35, is used almost
exclusively for knee pain (a local effect), while the point just three inches below it, known as Zusanli
(Stomach 36), has a systemic function.

One of the most important points in acupuncture, Zusanli is used to treat stomach pain, vomiting,
indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness, fatigue, and low immunity. Needling it often relieves
stomach pain immediately. Modern research has confirmed that applying moxa or needles to this point
actually raises the white blood cell count (white blood cells fight disease-causing organisms that invade
the body).

Acupuncture has been practiced since ancient times with needles made from stone, wood, ivory, or
bone. Modern practitioners use surgical-quality stainless steel needles with a handle wound with wire
for a better grip. Some needles are plated with silver, gold, or copper to achieve special effects from the
treatment, such as tonification or sedation, but the majority of needles are pure steel.

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