An Interview with Paul Unschuld Jasmine Uddin, Peter Firebrace and Caroline Root A distinguished historian gives an insight into the state of Chinese medicine in Germany, its changing nature in China and reasons why it is so readily embraced in the west. He queries why the proponents of TCM who claim to seek an alternative, wish to be integrated into the power centres they reject and to repeat the same structures.
Thoughts on TCM in Taiwan Martin Powell Past and present influences from mainland China, Japan and America determine a changing emphasis on acupuncture, qi gong and herbalism in Taiwan.
Home and Away: In Search of Chinese Medicine Volker Scheid As a medical anthropologist in China, the author paints a picture of Chinese medicine not necessarily visible from within the international training centres. He explores the changing nature of acupuncture in contemporary China and its relationship to western medical practice in that country. He then compares it with how Chinese medicine is presented in the west, often as a search for a systematic approach. His challenge to attempted integration calls for serious reflection.
The Archive, The Past, The Doctor as Agent Judith Farquhar Medicine in China is an exemplar of action that is informed by experience. Experience is important at the level of the archive - 'a two thousand year struggle against disease' - and at the level of individual doctors and their life in medicine. The ability to differentiate symptoms and to plan treatment comes above all from personal and collective experience. The article is reprinted from the author's book Knowing Practice (1993) with permission of the publishers Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado, USA.
An Interview with Tinh Thong Nguyen Jasmine Uddin A discussion and a comparison of oriental medical training and practice in Vietnam and in Britain.
The Role of Korean Oriental Medicine Professor Choi Seung-Hoon Korean oriental medicine is a natural medical science with theory and knowledge derived from an experience unique to Korean traditional living culture. It comprises treatment by acupuncture and herbal medicine based on orthodox medical theories.
Essential Aspects of the Japanese Healing Arts Miki Shima Many schools of thought have flourished in Japan since Chinese medicine was introduced 1,200 years ago. Unique evolved practice includes abdominal diagnosis and treatment - toxins in the abdomen are declared the source of all human ills - and point location by direct palpation rather than by visual observation of anatomical structures. Rigorous practical application is superior to book learning. Read the whole article
Acupuncture: Practising and Learning in Japan Kuniko Maeda An account of training in modern Japan and regulation of the acupuncture profession. Today's acupuncturists are required to offer good explanations of treatment methods and the patient's condition.
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) - A Japanese Perspective: Some Conclusions from a Pilot Study Gretchen De Soriano A short retrospective pilot study shows that ME follows the pattern described in the Shang Han Lun, a traditional Chinese medical text. The Shang Han Lun describes the symptom patterns and treatment for acute diseases using diagnostic techniques based on the six divisions, while its sequel, the Jin Gui Yao Lue, describes those for chronic disease using diagnostic techniques based on the three substances.The article suggests that significant understanding towards relief from the suffering of ME can be achieved using these Kanpo diagnostic techniques which are explained using modern Japanese commentaries on the original text.
Five Element & TCM Sources in the Yi Jing Selah Chamberlain The theoretical basis of the two principal styles of English acupuncture is related to their common source in the Yi Jing. What separates them and what are the disputes between them?
Thoughts on Paediatric Eczema as an Allergic Disease and its Relationship to Yin Fire Bob Flaws The author takes issue with some of the statements on allergic asthma made by Giovanni Maciocia in EJOM Vol 1, No 3. The author's argument is based on a translation of a recent Chinese journal article on the treatment of paediatric eczema. In particular the author suggests that Giovanni, in the creation of his theory on allergic asthma, has not paid enough attention to Li Dong-Yuan's concept of yin fire and to modern western notions of candidiasis as it relates to allergic conditions. The author ends by describing the most common internal Chinese medicine formulas he uses in the treatment of allergic asthma in both children and adults.
A Study of Human Immune Activity in Arthritis and Multi-Neuritis Treated by Different Moxibustion Methods Seung Cheong-Wong 93 patients were selected for treatment by either direct moxibustion (65 cases of arthritis, all presenting with yang deficient symptoms and signs) or indirect moxibustion (28 cases suffering from multi-neuritis, all of whom were also diagnosed as yang deficient). Cellular immune function was assessed before and after. The results suggest that treatment with moxibustion has a modulatory effect on immune function.
Immune Development Trust Ken Lloyd The Immune Development Trust was set up in the late 1980s to promote, preserve and protect the good physical and mental health of the public, particularly in relation to immune related conditions such as ME. HIV and AIDS. The author, one of the founders of the IDT, describes the ethos of the organisation, and the services it offers to both its practitioners and clients with particular reference to Chinese medicine. The article concludes with a brief outline of three cases treated at the IDT clinic, the first an HIV-positive man suffering from an acute herpes simplex infection, the second an HIV-positive woman suffering from chronic insomnia. The final case involves an HIV-positive man suffering from acute dysentery caused by endamoeba histolytica.
Acupuncture in Quebec Bernard Côté and Èlizabeth Lapierre Despite numerous legislative obstacles and other difficulties in obtaining official recognition, acupuncture has finally established its pedigree in Quebec and is now solidly implanted in the culture.
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