Stories of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Name: Stories of Traditional Chinese Medicine
ISBN: 9787547835258

郁东海 / 康向清 / 李荣华 / 尚云Shanghai Scientific & Technical Publishers · ChinaApr 2018

4.0

Word count: 64K words
Chapters: 86
ISBN: 9787547835258

Report an error Find this book

Summary

Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history, and many anecdotes related to it have emerged over the course of history. This volume contains 83 stories, mainly covering the origins of traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese culture, and stories of famous physicians of past dynasties and traditional Chinese medicine. It recounts intriguing and remarkable matters related to traditional Chinese medicine, such as the psychological therapies in "mistaking the reflection of a bow for a snake" and "quenching thirst by thinking of plums," the bone-setting therapy of "manipulating the brush to set bones," as well as allusions such as "a great physician heals the nation" and "a physician becomes skilled after three breaks of the arm." These allusions not only reflect the ancient physicians' concern for the nation and the people, but also reflect their pursuit of improving their medical skills and medical ethics.

Editor's review

"Stories of Traditional Chinese Medicine" is not a conventional medical popular science book, but a literary work that uses traditional Chinese medicine as a cultural carrier to interpret its philosophical thoughts and life wisdom through a series of stories rich in everyday life and human warmth. The author, Yu Donghai, skillfully weaves professional knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine (such as yin-yang and the five elements, syndrome differentiation and treatment, and classical formulas) into character fates and life episodes close to reality, making profound medical principles tangible and perceptible. The greatest value of this book lies in its dual role of "disenchantment" and "re-enchantment": on the one hand, it strips away the mysterious cloak that traditional Chinese medicine has in some people's minds, restoring it to a systematic wisdom rooted in daily life and in observing nature and changes in the human body; on the other hand, it endows this ancient knowledge with new narrative charm, allowing readers, while following the characters' joys and sorrows, to subtly understand core concepts such as "the superior physician treats illness before it arises" and "harmonizing to achieve balance." Although the stories mostly revolve around illness and health, the ultimate propositions they explore are actually reconciliation and balance between people and themselves, with others, with nature, and with fate. Its writing is plain yet tension-filled, and its narrative pace is gentle and well-modulated, making it very suitable for immersive reading in the age of fragmentation. It not only enhances understanding of traditional Chinese medicine culture but also prompts quiet reflection on one's own lifestyle and attitude toward life.

Who it's for

A good fit for

People curious about traditional Chinese culture and traditional Chinese medicine philosophy but intimidated by difficult theories, who wish to gain an easy introduction through stories.
Literature lovers who prefer realistic or slice-of-life works with humanistic concern that reflect social reality and the depth of human nature.
People in a state of physical and mental sub-health seeking adjustment in lifestyle and thinking patterns, eager for spiritual comfort and inspiration.
Educators, cultural workers or health-related professionals hoping to draw inspiration for interdisciplinary narrative and humanistic nourishment.

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting a systematic, rigorous technical manual of traditional Chinese medicine directly usable for clinical or self-diagnosis and treatment.
Lovers of fast-paced genre fiction with strong plot conflicts or fantasy elements; the narrative style of this book focuses on daily life and inner experience.

Reading tips

It is recommended to read it as cultural prose or narrative philosophical writing, without rushing to "extract" specific prescriptions or therapies from every story.
Read in conjunction with one's own life experience and reflect on the health and life dilemmas faced by the characters in the book, which may bring unique resonance and insight.
If a particular concept of traditional Chinese medicine sparks interest after reading, use it as an index to consult more specialized classics or professionals for extended learning.

About the publisher

Shanghai Scientific & Technical Publishers China · Founded in 1956

Shanghai Scientific & Technical Publishers is a publisher known for professional books in the natural sciences, engineering technology, medicine and health, and agricultural technology. Its catalogue of 759 titles covers popular science, examinations, medicine, agriculture and forestry, and social culture. Representative books include several editions of The Feynman Lectures on Physics by Richard Feynman, Robert Leighton and Matthew Sands; the first and second volumes of Morris Kline's Mathematical Thought from Ancient to Modern Times; and the fourth edition of Molecular Pharmacognosy by Huang Luqi. Other representative authors include Feynman, Wei Xian and Zhang Zhibin. The publisher has developed distinctive strengths in classic translated works in physics and mathematics as well as in medical and agricultural professional titles, while also publishing popular science, textbooks and teaching materials, and journals. Its author resources draw on internationally renowned scientists and domestic specialists.

版权信息
丛书前言
编写说明
杯弓蛇影
鼻烟通窍
薜荔解砒
扁鹊投石
辨色知病
别脉断病
病入膏肓
朝魁异术
椿子治痢
刺棒拔镞
刺胎催产
邓训嘘背
附子之毒
刮骨疗毒
含草辟瘴
汉卿奇技
郝充善脉
红藤驱虫
华佗言疾
华佗之死
回天乏术
讳疾忌医
夹气伤寒
解梦疗病
惊者平之
老鳖报恩
李成之死
良言逆耳
刘裕得药
卢扁再世
妙法治疾
妙治尸厥
名师高徒
明辨伪孕
明判生死
明悟晓疾
摩笔正骨
牛粪催吐
蒲黄消肿
七情过伤
栖真得道
起死回生
千里送药
钱乙辨病
巧治噎阻
三折肱知为良医
僧伽灵药
鳝治疮漏
上医医国
神医李玉
尸蹶复苏
食挂之疾
寿与药齐
鼠涎奇症
死而复生
嗣明判病
桃花导泻
退疮神速
脱阳危症
王生治疫
望顶言寿
望梅止渴
卫侯服鸩
无鳃鲤毒
希宪问医
宪圣护医
献方升官
黫痈之错
药石相报
一服两愈
医非相事
医患相长
医者当决
薏苡之冤
隐居养性
庸医误人
砸钲缩舌
噪声疗法
战地疗伤
针刺祛瘀
针治吐舌
真热假寒
治肺奇方

FAQ

Is this book suitable for people who know nothing about traditional Chinese medicine?

Very suitable. This book is precisely written to open a door to traditional Chinese medicine culture for general readers. It uses stories instead of preaching and integrates abstract ideas into concrete lives, so it can be read smoothly and its wisdom and warmth felt without any professional background.

Are the traditional Chinese medicine stories in the book true?

Most of the stories are literary creations that integrate the author's understanding of traditional Chinese medicine concepts, observations of life and artistic processing. They aim to convey the essence of traditional Chinese medicine thought and cultural connotations rather than being strict medical case records; readers should focus on the philosophical and life insights they carry.

What is the difference between this book and other health preservation books on traditional Chinese medicine on the market?

The core difference lies in the carrier and purpose. Most health preservation books focus on providing specific knowledge, methods or advice and are highly functional; "Stories of Traditional Chinese Medicine," however, centers on literary narrative, aiming to spread the thinking mode and view of life of traditional Chinese medicine through emotional resonance and cultural immersion, with greater emphasis on spiritual inspiration and cultural construction.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

郁东海 Author

Yu Donghai is an author who writes mainly on traditional Chinese medicine and health-related subjects. Publicly available information about him is limited, and no systematic account of his life has yet appeared. Judging from the eleven works held in the collection, his writing centers on popularizing Chinese medical culture and on clinical knowledge. These include story- and case-based books intended to draw readers in, such as Selected Entertaining Cases in Chinese Medicine (Volumes I and II), Stories of Chinese Medicine, and Famous Figures, Legends and Medical Anecdotes in Chinese Medicine, as well as works that focus more on medical theory and prescriptions, such as Medical Theory and Prescriptions in Chinese Medicine and Talks on Chinese Medicine. He has also written on local medical history and nursing practice, including A Brief History of Chinese Medicine in Pudong and Comprehensive Integrated Chinese and Western Nursing for Common Diseases. Overall, his books combine readability with useful knowledge and are intended for general readers and medical learners, offering some reference value in medicine and health reading.

康向清 Author

Kang Xiangqing is an author who focuses on writing about traditional Chinese medicine. Public information about this author is currently limited, and details such as nationality, dates of birth and death, and English name have not been clearly recorded. Six works by this author are held in the collection, including "Stories of Chinese Medicine," the two-volume "Amusing Cases in Chinese Medicine" (Parts I and II), "Famous Figures, Legends, and Medical Lore in Chinese Medicine," "Medical Talks on Chinese Medicine," and "Medical Theory and Prescriptions in Chinese Medicine," all categorized under medicine and health. Judging from the titles and categories, the writing emphasizes presenting Chinese medicine knowledge through stories, interesting cases, and medical talks, while also covering medical theory, prescriptions, and the deeds of famous figures. It balances readability with informative content and is suitable for introducing Chinese medicine culture to general readers. Together these works form a fairly systematic set of readings on Chinese medicine and are representative within the field of popular publications on the subject.

李荣华 Author

Li Ronghua is an author about whom limited public information is available. Eight of his works are held in the collection, spanning medicine, law, health, and social fiction. Judging from the distribution of these works, traditional Chinese medicine is the main focus of his writing: he has produced popular titles for general readers such as "Stories of Chinese Medicine," "Talks on Chinese Medicine," and "Famous Figures in Chinese Medicine," as well as more documentary works centered on medical cases and prescriptions, including the two-volume "Entertaining Cases in Chinese Medicine" and "Principles and Prescriptions of Chinese Medicine." "Legends and Medical Affairs" links folk legends with episodes from medical history, and his approach emphasizes storytelling and readability. He has also written "Legal Knowledge You Must Know in Life," which presents everyday legal knowledge in an accessible way, while "The Milky Way Falls from the Ninth Heaven" shows his reach extending into social fiction. Overall, his writing tends to translate specialized knowledge into narratives that ordinary readers can readily accept, balancing popularization with interest.

尚云 Author

Shang Yun is an author about whom limited public information is available. What is known is that six of the author's works are included in the collection, all centered on traditional Chinese medicine and health. From "Stories of Chinese Medicine" and the two volumes of "Entertaining Cases in Chinese Medicine" to "Famous Figures in Chinese Medicine," "Legends and Medical Matters," "Discourses on Chinese Medicine," and "Principles, Formulas, and Materia Medica of Chinese Medicine," the writing appears aimed at general readers, using stories and anecdotes to introduce notable figures, medical events, theories, and remedies, while popularizing medical knowledge. These works turn relatively specialized material into accessible narratives suited to readers curious about Chinese medicine culture and everyday health. Since reliable records of the author's dates, nationality, and personal background are unavailable, no speculation is offered here, and the overall profile awaits further material.