Abstract
This case focuses on an issue seldom debated by ancient physicians: when has medicine actually cured a disorder, and when has the patient simply recovered spontaneously? Both patients and doctors have usually assumed that the therapist is entitled to the credit. Xu raises the issue in the first section of the record, using a comment from a bystander.
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- 1.
For detailed discussion see Sivin 2015, pp. 31–49.
- 2.
This quotation is taken from Ye Mengde’s 叶梦得 (1077~1148) book Bi shu lu hua 避暑录话: “世言不服藥勝中醫,此語雖不可通行,然疾無甚苦,與其為庸醫妄投藥反敗之,不得為無益也,吾閱是多矣。” See, Zhu Yi’an 2006, vol. 10, p. 303.
- 3.
For another example on the topic, see Sivin’s (2017) translation of Sun Simiao.
- 4.
That is a simple way to determine how far into the body’s functional systems the pathogen had penetrated, and this what medication was necessary.
- 5.
Qi Regulating drugs are drugs that regulate the functions of qi and facilitate its proper workings. They eliminate stagnations of qi and rebellios qi, namely qi that flows contrary to its natural direction. See Bensky, Clavey, and Stöger 2004, pp. 509–510. True Qi (zhengqi 正氣 or zhenqi 真氣) maintains and renews the body’s normal functions and processes keeping the person alive and support his or her growth. The True Qi is extracted from the food and drink we consume. It stands in opposite to pathogen (xieqi 邪氣) that interferes with the body’s normal functions hence creating a disorder. See Zhongyi da cidian, 2nd ed., p. 416 and Sivin 1987 p. 49–50 and 237–238.
- 6.
For further discussion concerning Ephedra Decoction manifestation type, see Mitchell, Ye, and Wiseman 1999, pp. 91–100.
- 7.
See case 63 above.
- 8.
For further information about this formulas see Scheid et al. 2009, pp. 165–166.
- 9.
A similar almost identical discussion appears in Xu’s Shanghan fawei lun, p. 49.
- 10.
Xu Shuwei quotes verbatim from the Treatise (傷寒例, line 22), see Yu 1997, p. 32.
- 11.
That is, what he thinks will cure the disorder actually kills the patient.
- 12.
The word 中醫in the modern language usually means “Chinese medicine” or a “Chinese doctor.” However, in classical Chinese it denotes the middle level of physician or medicine and not the highest level of physicians (see Hanyu da cidian definition of shangyi 上醫; vol. 1, p. 260). This quotation is taken from the Hanshu (志, 藝文志, line 656). See Scripta Sinica database (史/正史/漢書/志 凡十卷/卷三十 藝文志第十/方技略/經方 (P.1777–1778)).
- 13.
- 14.
Bian Que is a legendary physician whose “biography” is recorded in Records of the Historian (Shiji 105: 2793). There is another version of the same passage in Hanfeizi (喻老 10, pp. 204–205). Bian Que was summoned to audience with the Duke of Qi, only to announce that the Duke was sick. The Duke rejected this diagnosis, and kept inviting Bian to examine him until in the fourth and last instance Bian Que gazes at the Duke from afar and leaves. When asked for his reasons he explains how disorders penetrate into the body until they reach a certain depth, at which they become incurable. For translation see Lo 2000, p. 16; Hsu 2010, pp. 206–207; and Kuriyama 1999, pp. 162–163. For a detailed discussion of Bian Que, see Brown 2015, Chap. 2.
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Goldschmidt, A. (2019). Case Number 81. 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_82
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