The American Journal of Chinese Medicine

The medical thinking of traditional Chinese medicine is considered to stem mainly from the theory formulated for acupuncture, as evidenced by the preponderant discussions of acupuncture in "Nei Ching", a classic of Chinese Medicine. Acupuncture cannot do much to those diseases which involve irreversible organic damage. It is essentially a technique for correcting the reversible physiological malfunction of various parts of the body by physiological means. It is believed possible that the acupuncture-initiated impulses may activate the autonomic centers and the hypophysical system in the brain so as to improve the efficiency of homeostatic and self-defence mechanisms of the body. Recent studies in acupuncture analgesia have contributed much to the understanding of the neural mechanism of pain and its control. Modern medicine should accept acupuncture as an alternative in medical practice as advocated by William Osler whose viewpoint about the value of acupuncture is cited.

The agency conferring resurrection is soul or its emblem. The earliest conception of soul is blood. Its Redness penetrates subsoil and is taken up by serpent, from whence arises snake-soul, later snake-god. Blood vapours is the other fraction arising upwards. It becomes wraith bird, later soul bird, and finally bird god. Blood as whole gave snake-god plus bird-god. A winged-cobra became snake-god and bird-god or together, one-as-all. Red Cock was its equivalent. As substance came cinnabar, red like blood and sublimable like soul. Dragon was idealized snake-god. Then Dragon-god plue Bird-god became the equal of blood soul, the magical power. T'ao-t'ieh is Dragon-plus-Bird, snake-god plus bird-god, the equivalent of Cosmic soul. Then cinnabar as the equal of blood soul and T'ao-t'ieh, the emblem of Cosmic soul, each were capable of conferring resurrection and have been interred in Chinese graves.

Baduanjin (Eight-Treasured Exercises) is one of the many health-promoting ancient Chinese exercises that can easily be learnt without a teacher. Its therapeutic value is unproven, however, it is claimed to be valuable for indigestion, constipation, asthma, osteoarthritis, obesity and neurasthenia. Although the exercise may be practiced by following the pictures and instructions, success really depends on concentration, relaxation and daily practice.

The observations on 99 cases of psychotic depression as per I.C.D. - 8 categories 296.0, 296.2, 298.0 (WHO 1967) which were included and studied during the course of the 'Internationl Pilot Study of Schizophrenia' carried out in nine field research centres in different countries are reported. An attempt is made to high-light and discuss in cross-cultural perspective: (i) the psychopathological similarities and differences among psychotic depressives, and (ii) similarities and differences of psychotic depressives with clinically diagnosed schizophrenics and with corcordant and discrepant groups (WHO 1973) of schizophrenia.

The philosophical tradition of Chinese geriatrics contains a strong preventive element closely tied to the concept of a balanced man-nature relationship and body-mind relationship. It has been emphasized that a sound mind in a sound body is essential to longevity. Moderation in physical and emotional activities is encouraged. There have been a number of approaches to longevity in traditional Chinese medicine. The preventive value of Tai Chi Chuan (a gentle "spiritual" exercise), Chi Kung (a combination of breathing exercise, relaxation and meditation), acupressure and moxibustion on the point of Chu San Li, and tonic herbal medicines like ginseng is discussed in this article. These are regarded to be helpful in improving the general health of the elderly and in promoting longevity.

The early Indian cosmology is comprized of Water, Heat, and Earth as cosmic elements. They represent conditions of plant life and have been conceived by a practical farmer. The Indian doctrine of humorology is comprized of Water, Air and Heat as humours which represent conditions of human life. They have been conceived by a medicine-man trying to substitute Soma as panacea when the substituted Rasayana drugs would be rich in the three humours.

Total saponins extracted from Panax ginseng, when injected into mice at a dose of approximately 10 mg/kg body weight, have no significant effect on the generation of cytotoxic T cell activity, induction of natural killer cell activity and humoral antibody production in mice infected subsequently with A/WSN influenza virus. The saponins, however, selectively suppressed the delayed-type hypersensitivity responses to the virus when administrated to the animals before but not after virus sensitization. Thus, ginseng pretreatment can induce immunological unresponsiveness in one arm of the immune system. Such selective immunosuppression effect of the total saponins of ginseng may be related to their steroid-like structure.

In a clinical study we compared three different types of therapy in chronic maxillary sinusitis. 45 patients, 3-40 years old, were treated, 19 with antibiotics, 18 with acupuncture and 8 with Laser-acupuncture. There was no statistical difference of results between Laser-therapy and antibiotics (Chi-Square-Test). Compared to previous treatments with antibiotics, results and duration of improvement was significantly better after acupuncture. Conclusion: Acute sinusitis, especially of frontal sinus and in younger children, will better be treated by antibiotics because of the danger of osteomyelitis and meningitis. Acupuncture should be tried in chronic and recurrent stages after exclusion of large adenoids in children or bone inhibition of sinus clearance, especially before an invasive operation like removal of sinus mucosa is carried out.

On the suggestion of a Chinese physician the author took up Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese exercise, in an attempt to relieve symptoms from his moderately severe ankylosing spondylitis. Conventional medical therapy, used over a 15 year period, had proven of only limited benefit. Tai Chi consists of a series of intricate exercise sequences, and after 2½ years of daily practice the author now feels stronger and healthier than before. Pain, weakness and general malaise return if practice is neglected for as little as one week. It is felt that Tai Chi is of value in minimizing the flexion deformity of the spine. Improved skeletal muscle strength, limb co-ordination, balance, chest movement and ability to relax are further benefits.

Serum cortisol levels were determined in 40 normal Chinese and dopamine beta-hydroxylase activities were measured in 22 normal subjects before and after acupuncture treatment. All subjects were studied twice with an interval of one week or more. In the self-control study, the subjects were needled at 5 non-acupuncture loci. in the experimental study, they were needled at the following 5 traditional acupuncture loci - right side GB-20, both sides EH-6, and both sides St-36. Blood samples were withdrawn before acupuncture and 15 and 45 min. after acupuncture. No change of serum dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity was observed. Serum cortisol levels increased significantly after needling on the traditional acupuncture loci. After acupuncture for 15 and 45 min., the cortisol increase was 28 and 50%, respectively, as compared to the self-control studies. The beneficial effect of acupuncture in the treatment of functional disorders, therefore, may be mediated by cortisol or other hormones and neurohormones.

School children in China are taught exercises for eye fitness. A poster used in Chinese schools is presented here in translation. Four different exercises are described which consist of the massage of acupuncture point around the orbit.

Dehydroevodiamine isolated from Evodiae Fructus lowered blood pressure with bradycardia in anesthetised rats. At a cumulative dose of 22.5mg/kg/30min, there was a very significant decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. There was a more important decrease in diastolic pressure than systolic pressure, implying a vasodilatory effect. The hypotensive effect of dehydroevodiamine can be abolished partly by indomethacin and more completely, polyphoretin phosphate. It is suggested that the hypotensive effect of dehydroevodiamine may be mediated through prostaglandin synthesis. A similar action mechanism in dehydroevodiamine-stimulated rat uterus contraction is also discussed.

Qigong is an ancient Chinese breathing exercise with meditation which is being developed today for therapy of chronic illnesses in the People's Republic of China. It is claimed to cure gastric ulcers, hypertension, anxiety neurosis, otitis media, cancer and has even been used as a form of anaesthesia. Although the physiological effects produced by Qigong resemble those of meditation, there are certain features that are unique and often mysterious. Research in the future may prove Qigong to be a useful adjunct in the practice of medicine.

The effect of acupuncture on pain threshold from tooth pulp stimulation was studied in alert, awake monkeys. Manual manipulation of acupuncture needles in specific acupuncture points in the hands and legs caused a consistent and significant rise in threshold. Some points, such as Ho-Ku (LI-4) and Tsu-San-Li (St-36), produced more prominent analgesic effects than others. Increase of pain threshold was observed also after application of finger pressure on acupuncture points. Acupuncture and finger pressure applied to certain muscle points exhibited similar analgesic effects.

A crude methanol extract of the herb Davallina Orientalis was given intraperitoneally to test its effect on bone healing in mice. The results indicated that it could increase the breaking strength of a fracture site. In our experimental model, the lower dosage has a better result probably because of less toxicity.

Acupuncture has been reported as an effective treatment for some addictions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate acupuncture treatment effect on the cigarette smoking habit with a motivated population in controlled clinical setting. From a volunteer research population, sixteen matched pairs were assembled according to age, sex and severity of smoking habit. Research subjects were randomly assigned to real or sham acupuncture treatment groups. Self-reported cigarette logs were measured pre-treatment and post-treatment. Analysis of variants confirmed homogeneity of group pre-treatment cigarette consumption. Cigarette consumption significantly decreased in both the real and sham treatments groups. Treatment group, age, sex, or severity of smoking habit were not significant factors in treatment effects for cessation of smoking. Legitimate crossover treatment for sham research group showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in cigarette consumption; this change was not statistically different from change in cigarette consumption during placebo treatment. A discussion of acupuncture point selection rationale is made as is an analysis of Tehchi sensations and subjective reports of appetite for cigarettes. Acupuncture did not enhance the cessation of cigarette smoking in this study.