Abstract
In this case Xu provides another glimpse into the nuances of the medical encounter in his time. The patient’s family has invited a number of physicians to examine the patient, and each has reached his own diagnosis. The patient’s house was evidently large enough to accommodate this group of rival physicians. Xu, a literatus physician, participated in these competitive encounters. In order to reach a conclusive diagnosis, he asked the patient’s relatives if he had vomited worms. When they confirm this suspicion, Xu delivers his diagnosis and administers two prescriptions.
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Notes
- 1.
There is no evidence here or in other case records about how many of Xu’s rivals were literati.
- 2.
For further discussion of the clinical aspects of Attenuated Yin manifestation type, see Mitchell, Ye, and Wiseman 1999, pp. 12–13.
- 3.
- 4.
This disorder appears first in the Lingshu, juan 1, pian 4 (邪气臟腑病形), see Lingshu jing jiaoshi, vol. 1, p. 103 and Unschuld 2016a, p. 101. It also appears in the Canon of Problems, problem 56, see Nan jing benyi, pp. 72–74 and Unschuld 2016b, pp. 420–428. It is characterized by masses of gas ascending within the abdomen, which feels like piglets running about. For further information see Zhongyi da cidian, 2nd ed., p. 1169.
- 5.
The relaxed pulse meant for most classical physicians the normal pulse.
- 6.
This loosely quotes the Treatise (辨厥陰病脈證并治, line 1), see Yu 1997, p. 80.
- 7.
The character, zhuang 撞, is often translated as “bump” or “rush”. However, given the identical structure to the sentence in the previous paragraph (氣衝心下), I chose to translate it as “pour,” which is the sixth meaning recorded for this character in the Hanyu da cidian.
- 8.
This quotation is taken from the Treatise (辨厥陰病脈證并治, line 4), see Yu 1997, p. 81.
- 9.
- 10.
See Scheid et al. 2009, pp. 847–852.
- 11.
A similar discussion appears in Xu’s Shanghan fawei lun, p. 45–46.
- 12.
According to the suppression cycle of the five phases the wood phase (corresponds to the liver) suppresses the earth phase (corresponds to the spleen).
- 13.
See case record #27.
- 14.
- 15.
Xu is quoting from the Treatise (平脈法, line 24). See Yu 1997, p. 25.
- 16.
Shang 商is the second note in the ancient pentatonic scale, and is associated with the lungs.
Bibliography
Other Sources:
Mitchell, Craig, Feng Ye, and Nigel Wiseman. 1999. Shang Han Lun (On Cold Damage); Translation and Commentaries. Brookline, MA: Paradigm Publications.
Scheid, Volker, Dan Bensky, Andrew Ellis, and Randall Barolet. 2009. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies. Seattle: Eastland Press.
Unschuld, Paul U., trans. 2016a. Huang Di Nei Jing Ling Shu: The Ancient Classic on Needle Therapy The complete Chinese text with an annotated English translation. Berkley, CA: University of California Press.
———. 2016b. Nan Jing: The Classic of Difficult Issues With commentaries by Chinese and Japanese authors from the Third through the Twentieth century The Complete Chinese Text with an Annotated Translation. Berkley, CA: University of California Press.
Yu, Bohai 于伯海, et. al. 1997. Shanghan jinkui wenbing mingzhu jicheng 伤寒金匮温病名著集成 [Collected Famous Works on Cold Damage, Golden Casket, and Febrile Disorders]. Beijing, Huaxia chubanshe.
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Goldschmidt, A. (2019). Case Number 22. In: Medical Practice in Twelfth-century China – A Translation of Xu Shuwei’s Ninety Discussions [Cases] on Cold Damage Disorders. Archimedes, vol 54. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06103-6_23
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