History of Medicine in Ancient China Assist.Prof.Dr. Mehmet KARATAŞ Department of History of Medicine and Ethics

Civilization in Ancient China The Chinese civilization continued uninterruptedly for almost years. Its origins are not so clear, unlike the great civilizations in the Middle East. The Chinese civilization continued uninterruptedly for almost years. Its origins are not so clear, unlike the great civilizations in the Middle East. The Chinese civilization takes its form since the first half of the second millennium BC. Chinese populations have inhabited their land since prehistoric times until today and for many centuries, they were isolated from other cultures. The Chinese civilization takes its form since the first half of the second millennium BC. Chinese populations have inhabited their land since prehistoric times until today and for many centuries, they were isolated from other cultures. Magnetic compass, paper, gunpowder etc. were invented in ancient china. Magnetic compass, paper, gunpowder etc. were invented in ancient china.

Medicine in Ancient China Yin - Yang Yin and Yang are two opposite elements yet complementary components of the cosmological force of nature. Yin represents the moon, night, earth, water, coldness, dampness, darkness, cloudiness, softness what is feminine and so on: yang represents the sun, day, heaven, fire, heat, dryness, brightness, sunshine, hardness, what is masculine and so forth.

Yin - Yang

Medicine in Ancient China Classical Chinese medicine was based on the reign of three legendary emperors: Classical Chinese medicine was based on the reign of three legendary emperors: Fu Hsi (c B.C), Shen Nung (c B.C), who compiled the first known medical herbal treatise, Pen-tsao in which he give 365 drugs which he said to be tested by himself, Huang Ti (c B.C), whose medical information was transmitted verbally for many centuries and became a written text in 3rd century B.C. Similar to Ancient Greeks, Ancient Chinese believed on elements, they had five: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each characterized an action or interaction with human physiology. Similar to Ancient Greeks, Ancient Chinese believed on elements, they had five: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each characterized an action or interaction with human physiology.

Fu Hsi

Shen Nung (red emperor)

Huang Ti (yellow emperor)

Medicine in Ancient China Anatomy and physiology Because of Confucius philosophy forbids violation of the body, anatomical knowledge was very limited and poor in ancient china. Direct anatomical studies began as late as the 18th century, and anatomy was taught by diagrams and artificial models rather than dissection.

Anatomy and physiology

Medicine in Ancient China Physiology depended on five humors. Physiology depended on five humors. They believed that each emotion was seated in different organs: happiness in heart, thought in spleen, sorrow in lungs, anger and soul in liver etc. They believed that each emotion was seated in different organs: happiness in heart, thought in spleen, sorrow in lungs, anger and soul in liver etc.

Diagnosis and the importance of pulse Pulse had an important part of diagnosis in ancient Chinese medicine and they define dozens of varieties. The examination of pulse considered capable of diagnosing the nature and location of any kind of disease. The process of evaluation of the pulse was immensely complicated, because it varied not only according to the disorder but also according to the season, the time of the day, the constellation, and sex of the patient.

Diagnosis and the importance of pulse

Diagnosis It was not possible for a man to examine a woman especially from noble class. Ceramic, ivory or wooden dolls were pointed by the patient for to give an idea about her health problem.

Medicine in Ancient China Treatment Much of the treatment was based on yin-yang principle, which believed the balance between active and passive, hot and cold, male and female, etc. The others are diet, drugs, acupuncture and moxibustion. Much of the treatment was based on yin-yang principle, which believed the balance between active and passive, hot and cold, male and female, etc. The others are diet, drugs, acupuncture and moxibustion. Doctor had to determine the cause of disharmony in the body and put the patient on the right path, which is Tao. In other words restore the harmony between yin and yang in a patient. Doctor had to determine the cause of disharmony in the body and put the patient on the right path, which is Tao. In other words restore the harmony between yin and yang in a patient. Exercises were highly recommended and believed to keep the body fit and restore the well-being of person. Massage was also among the regular methods of treatment Exercises were highly recommended and believed to keep the body fit and restore the well-being of person. Massage was also among the regular methods of treatment

Acupuncture and moxibustion The origin of acupuncture is not clear and in this application the skin is pierced by long needles to varying depths. The physiology of acupuncture rests on the Taoist doctrine that the life force chi, or energy, circulates through all the body organs. The acupuncture points located on invisible lines on the body. It is believed that all disease are a result of inbalance in the energy flow in the body and acupuncture needles restore and balance the chi.

Acupuncture and moxibustion Moxibustion (moxa) is also as old as acupuncture. In moxibustion similar points on the body are burned with a specific plant. Moxibustion (moxa) is also as old as acupuncture. In moxibustion similar points on the body are burned with a specific plant. Both acupuncture and moxibustion were believed to produce stimulation on special points and unblock obstructed life force chi, allowing it to circulate in the body again. Both acupuncture and moxibustion were believed to produce stimulation on special points and unblock obstructed life force chi, allowing it to circulate in the body again.

Things to remember from Ancient Chinese Medicine The concept of disease in Chinese medicine The concept of disease in Chinese medicine –Taoist doctrine and the blockage of life energy, chi –Imbalance between yin and yang –5 elements, each emotion seated in a different organ Using pulse for diagnosis of the diseases Using pulse for diagnosis of the diseases Treatment methods: Diet, acupuncture, moxibustion Treatment methods: Diet, acupuncture, moxibustion Herbal medicine treatises: Pen Tsao Herbal medicine treatises: Pen Tsao Confucianism did not allow harming of the body–dissection was not permitted Confucianism did not allow harming of the body–dissection was not permitted

Konuyla İlgili SORU/CEVAP Soru 1: Antik Çin tıbbının tıbbi uygulamalardaki kuramsal yaklaşımı neydi? Cevap 1: Ying-Yang Soru 2: Çin tıbbında tedavide öne çıkan uygulamalar nelerdi? Cevap 2: Diyet, akupunktur, moksibusyon

References A. Selim ATAY, İnönü Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, translation A. Selim ATAY, İnönü Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, translation Tolga GÜVEN, Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Tarihi ve Etik AD ders notları Tolga GÜVEN, Marmara Üniversitesi Tıp Tarihi ve Etik AD ders notları Ali Haydar BAYAT, Tıp Tarihi Ali Haydar BAYAT, Tıp Tarihi Emine ATABEK, Şefik GÖRKEY, Başlangıcından Rönesansa Kadar Tıp Tarihi Emine ATABEK, Şefik GÖRKEY, Başlangıcından Rönesansa Kadar Tıp Tarihi Çağlar Boyu Tıp, Roche Yayınları Çağlar Boyu Tıp, Roche Yayınları m m m m hsi-granger.html hsi-granger.html hsi-granger.html hsi-granger.html