diagnostics
Selected writings of Zhang Nan, Zhang Jingyue, Jiang Hantun, and from the Neijing Suwen
Translated by Heiner Fruehauf
Prior to the process of treating disease, the sage (superior doctor) must be able to distinguish the Yin and Yang of Heaven and Earth. S/he must know the rhythmic flow of the four seasons and the intricate relationships between the five organ networks and the six bowel systems. S/he must be able to distinguish the Yin/Yang and exterior/interior quality of the meridians, and know what kind of diseases to treat with acupuncture, what kind with moxibustion, and what kind with herbs. S/he must understand the relationship between health and social interaction, master the standard procedure of diagnosis and treatment, and discern the constitutional differences in rich and poor people. S/he must inquire about the age of the patient and analyze whether the patient tends to be outgoing or withdrawn. S/he must examine the parts afflicted by the disease while at the same time figuring out the root of the disease, and s/he must relate his/her knowledge of the eight seasonal dates to the information gained from the nine pulse positions. Only in this way a diagnosis can be called complete!
from Inner Canon of the Yellow Emperor (Neijing Suwen), Chapter 77: “Analyzing the Five Mistakes in Diagnosis” (fl.200 B.C.)
Introduced and translated by Heiner Fruehauf
Traditional Chinese medicine incorporates several diagnostic systems of differentiation, such as the five organ approach, the six confirmation approach, and the triple warmer approach. These different diagnostic systems are frequently combined in clinical practice, but since they were conceived and favored by different schools of medical practitioners, they are often used completely independent from each other.
