Neue Erkenntnisse aud der Geschichte der traditionellen chinesischen Medizin

Journal/Book: Deutsche Zeitschrift für Akupunktur. 1991; 34/06: 122-128.

Abstract: The current transfer of the concepts and clinical techniques of traditional Chinese medicne from the Chinese culture to the West requires in depth study of the historical background of TCM. it is only on the basis of such historical research that the differences and parallels between European and Chinese traditions of health care can be determined. Historical research demonstrates that the so-called Chinese medicine, as practised in china today, and as described in the secondary literature of the West, is conditioned by the contemporary political context. It does not reflect the broadness and heterogeneity of traditional Chinese medicine prior to the 20th century. For example, antique Chinese literature (according to a passage in the Lingshu) frequently emphasizes that only charlatans use needles, i.e. acupuncture, for already manifest conditions. The outstanding doctor uses acupuncture before an illness manifests itself; a good doctor treats the patient when the illness begins and only a lesser needles a patient when the illness is already on the decline. Finally, this passage states that nobody should dare to needle a patient during the full manifestation of an illness. In particular, current Chinese medicne selectively emphasizes those aspects of its historical reality that seem to offer aperfect contrast to current Western medicine. Furthermore, historical research demonstrates that, for over two millennia of Chinese medical history, the theories of systematic <correstondence were not applied - or were only applied temporarily - to issues of health care which may be defined as having cross-cultural reality.

Keyword(s): TCM (traditionelle chinesische Medizin), Medizinhistorie, politische Einflüsse in China, westliche Medizin

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