Innovation in Chinese Medicine (review)

It is self-evident to any modern medical historian that medical knowledge, just like any other aspect of culture, is subject to change. However, it is also true that the image of the history of Chinese medicine remains one of a stagnant, mysterious tradition bound by its ancient canons. It is not surprising that this image should be deeply etched on our historical consciousness, but there is much more to Chinese medical history, and, just as the editor Elizabeth Hsu claims in the beginning of the book, the orientalizing view of China (p. 1) should be challenged. The study of Chinese cases will contribute to our broader understanding of human science. Innovation in Chinese Medicine is a collaborative effort that provides a sampling of such work in progress.

This volume stems from a workshop, held in March 1995 at the Needham Research Institute, commemorating the life and work of Lu Gwei-djen, who was a major force in the immense Science and Civilisation in China project, and is further remembered for her contributions to the history of medicine (p. 2). This is an excellent collection of twelve fascinating essays by a group of international scholars. While the transatlantic range of the scholars is as impressive as the detail with which the topics are treated, the period covered—from the dawn of Chinese medical history in the second century B.C. to the present day—allows us to appreciate that new ideas and practices have developed all along the historical process.

The papers are diverse in subject matter, ranging from abstract medical concepts to matter-of-fact pharmaceutical practices, from literary technology to politically motivated movements. Some of the key innovations are discussed in depth, such as the system of the five circulatory phases and the six seasonal influences in the medieval period (Catherine Despeux), the warmth-factor disorders in late Imperial China (Marta Hanson), and, of course, traditional Chinese medicine in transition throughout the modern period (Bridie Andrews, Kim Taylor, Volker Scheid). There are also discussions of more restricted, though no less interesting, topics, such as dietetics (Ute Engelhardt), new applications of a pharmaceutical material (Frédéric Obringer), a creative way of classifying the materia medica (George Métailié), or social practice and medical writing (Christopher Cullen). Finally, it should not be forgotten that although traditional Chinese medicine is not new, it represents significant steps beyond the primitive system. This volume therefore includes excellent papers treating the early applications of nurturing life (Vivienne Lo), pulse diagnosis (Elizabeth Hsu), and iatromancy (Donald Harper).

The integration of the different contributions is, in part, the result of a great effort by the editor to articulate the overarching theme of innovation. Hsu divides the twelve papers, within a generally chronological and thematic sequence, into six parts, making of every pair of articles a comparative (or at least related) unit, similar to the way in which Plutarch arranged his parallel lives of ancient noblemen. Also like Plutarch, for each pair she gives a comprehensive summary, and articulates how they collaborate to present a certain aspect of innovation in Chinese medical history. Thus we are not only shown how these diverse papers each shape a sample case of innovation, but are also offered a comparative perspective on two papers that is more intriguing than reading them individually. Christopher Cullen's and Bridie Andrews's articles on case histories, for example, collaborate quite well to allow readers to grasp the significance of the transitions of this genre.

Not all of the crucial innovations in Chinese medical history are thoroughly discussed. However, this does not represent a flaw of the book, for a systematic survey was never the purpose of the editor. On the contrary, allowing the individual contributors freedom to follow their own inclinations as to how much weight to accord each element makes...