The origin
of traditional Chinese medicine and pharmacology can be traced back
to primitive society. Medicine was originally created in the struggle
against Nature by the ancient Chinese. In the course of food gathering,
they found that some food items could alleviate the symptoms of
or cure diseases. That was the origin of TCM. When the ancient Chinese
lit fires to warm themselves, they also found that heated stones
and sand wrapped in animal skin or bark could reduce pain. Through
repeated practice and improvement, moxibustion methods were gradually
developed. In the process of using stone instruments they found
that when a part of the body was hit by something, pain in some
other part of the body might be relieved, and so stone or bone acupuncture
needles were invented. After a long period of development, the theory
of collateral channels took shape, and the technique of acupuncture
treatment was perfected.
The basic theory of TCM shows
its unique understanding of the zang-fu organs, meridians and collateral
channels, qi, blood and body fluids, and pathogeny. The diagnostic
method of TCM consists of the ??four examination methods?? and the
differentiation of symptoms. The former refers to visual inspection
of the complexion, auscultation, reading the pulse and directly
asking about the patient??s conditions. The differentiation of symptoms
means after the actual circumstances are gathered through these
examinations and analyses, the proper method of treatment is induced.
TCM pharmaceutical treatment is often accompanied by acupuncture,
massage therapy and qigong (breathing exercises).
The Yellow Emperor??s Canon of
Medicine, the earliest and most comprehensive medical classic from
both the theoretical and clinical standpoints, was compiled more
than 2,000 years ago, and laid a theoretical foundation for TCM.
Later, other authoritative medical books appeared, such as the Classic
of Difficulties, Treatise on Febrile and Other Diseases and Causes
and Symptoms of Diseases. Shen Nong??s Materia Medica is the earliest
known pharmacopoeia in China. The Materia Medica of the Tang Dynasty
was the first pharmacopoeia published by the government in ancient
China, as well as being the earliest state pharmacopoeia in the
world. The Compendium of Materia Medica compiled by Li Shizhen of
the Ming Dynasty contains details of 1,892 kinds of herbs and 10,000
prescriptions.
Since the founding of New China
in 1949, the government has paid great and consistent attention
to the development of TCM. In 1986, the State Traditional Chinese
Medicine Administration was established. Two years later, the name
was changed to the State Traditional Chinese Medicine and Pharmaceuticals
Administration. A series of policies, principles and regulations
have been formulated to promote the development of TCM and pharmacology.
At the same time, higher and secondary TCM education has developed
gradually. Regular education and other kinds of education, such
as correspondence and night school courses, as well as teach-yourself
programs have trained a lot of TCM personnel. A fairly comprehensive
TCM pharmaceuticals industry has been basically completed. As China
develops its modern medical system, active efforts are being made
to synthesize Western and Chinese techniques and theories, with
emphasis on the respective strengths and weaknesses of both approaches.
Chinese medicine, Western medicine and integrated Chinese and Western
medicine exist side by side. Medical workers working on the integration
of Chinese and Western medicine have done a lot of research work
on the basic theories and principles of treatment of TCM with advanced
techniques and modern methods. For example, scientific annotations
have been made on the principles of the zang-fu organs, stasis of
blood and acupuncture. Great achievements have been made by China
in the five fields of fractures treatment, acute abdominal diseases
treatment, acupuncture anaesthesia, replanting of broken limbs and
extensive burns treatment, the former three being the result of
combining Chinese and Western medicine techniques.
In recent years, great successes
have been made by using combined Chinese and Western techniques
to treat cardiac and cerebral vascular diseases, immunological diseases,
tumors, fractures and some other diseases. New progress has been
made in the investigation of folk prescriptions, in planting and
processing herbal medicines and in the development of drugs. Consequently
more and more diseases can be treated by TCM methods. TCM can ensure
quick recovery for patients suffering from acute abdominal diseases
without the need for surgery. Acupuncture treatment and acupuncture
anaesthesia are now used in 120 countries and regions throughout
the world. In 1987, the World Acupuncture and Moxibustion Union
was established in Beijing, with nearly 100 countries and regions
participating, giving a total of more than 50,000 members. This
is the first international academic organization with its headquarters
in China and with China as its chairman. An international qigong
conference was held in Beijing in 1989, with 29 countries and regions
participating. In 1991, China organized an international conference
on traditional medicine and pharmacology, and a Beijing Declaration
was drafted by the several dozen countries which participated. At
present, China carries out academic exchanges with more than 100
countries and regions throughout the world.
Following the popularization of
the use of natural medicines and non-medicinal treatment in foreign
countries, people all over the world have become more interested
in TCM and pharmacology in recent years. Cooperations in TCM and
pharmacolgy are increasing day by day. Cooperative relations have
been established between China and Japan, the United States and
Germany. In addition, seven traditional medicine and pharmacology
centers have been established in China by the WHO. The number of
foreign students who come to China to study TCM ranks first among
those studying natural sciences in China. An agreement has been
reached to run a TCM school cooperatively between Beijing University
of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a British national university.
It will be the first regular university in Britain, and even in
Europe, to teach TCM. Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) also
have TCM schools. France, the United States, Italy, Australia and
some other countries have established TCM colleges or acupuncture
and anaesthesia colleges, and Munich University in Germany has its
Institute on the Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
