Title
Medicinal Wisdom and the Art of Diagnosis: Exploring the Four Pillars of Chinese Medicine
Introduction
The field of medicine is a testament to the vastness of human knowledge， spanning from celestial realms to the intricacies of our terrestrial environment. Yet， it is within the convergence of these realms that the most essential aspect of healing resides: the understanding of “man” itself.
Understanding the Human Form
As we delve into the human body， we encounter a duality that mirrors the harmony of the universe. The left side， yang， and the right side， yin， manifest in the balanced arrangement of our organs.
Further examination reveals the human form as a microcosm of the universe itself. From the bridge of the nose upward， we find the two nostrils， two eyes， and two ears， mirroring the trigram Kun. Below the bridge of the nose， we encounter the mouth and the anus and urethra， forming the trigram Qian.
This harmonious balance manifests as the Da Zhuang hexagram， symbolizing equilibrium.
The Art of Diagnosis: Observing， Listening， Inquiring， and Pulsing
While the nature of humans may seem enigmatic， mastering the art of medicine requires a deep understanding of their complexity. To this end， Chinese medicine employs the four pillars of diagnosis: observing， listening， inquiring， and pulsing.
Observing (Wang)
The practice of observing involves examining the patient’s physical appearance， akin to the principles of physiognomy. By comparing the patient’s features to the changing seasons and colors， practitioners can gain insights into their overall health.
Poems by Chen Xiuyuan on Observing
Spring， summer， autumn， and long summer days，
Cyan， yellow， red， white， and black hues always convey.
Left liver， right lung， shape seen on cheeks，
Heart on forehead， kidney on chin， nose on spleen.
Listening (Wen)
The art of listening involves discerning the patient’s voice and its potential implications for their health. Based on the principles of五行生克and the correspondence between organs and sounds， practitioners can identify underlying conditions.
Poems by Chen Xiuyuan on Listening
Liver problems， angry outbursts， rage，
Excessive laughter， heart’s engagement sage.
Inquiring (Wen)
Inquiring directly into the patient’s experiences provides essential insights into their condition. Practitioners may delve into areas such as temperature sensitivity， sweating， headaches， constipation， and dietary habits.
Poems by Chen Xiuyuan on Inquiring
First ask about cold or heat， then inquire about sweating too，
Headaches， body pains， bowel movements， how they feel.
Dietary intake， chest discomfort， important things to know，
Deafness， thirst， carefully observe these signs to glean the whole.
Pulsing (Qie)
The practice of pulsing requires extensive experience and meticulous observation. Practitioners palpate the patient’s pulse， seeking to understand its subtle complexities through the “three parts” and “eight criteria.”
Poems by Chen Xiuyuan on Pulsing
Vague and enigmatic， understanding it is hard，
Exploring its threads， like untangling a fine cord.
Maintaining a consistent grip， the key to diagnosing，
Eight criteria provide guidance， illness they prognosticate.
Case Studies
Story of Doctor Ye Tianshi
Ye Tianshi， renowned as the “Star of Heavenly Medicine，” displayed extraordinary diagnostic abilities. Once， upon witnessing a coffin passing by， he insisted on opening it， believing the deceased to be alive. His acupuncture treatment revived both the mother and her newborn child， proving his profound understanding of the human body.
Story of the Coins
During a chess game， Ye Tianshi was summoned to assist a woman in labor. He abruptly grabbed a handful of coins and threw them against the wall， causing the baby to be born. He believed that the sound of coins， a symbol of wealth， stimulated the mother’s will to live and deliver her child.
《礼记》and the “Three Generations”
An ancient text states， “Without three generations of doctors， their medicine should not be taken.” This refers not to generations of practicing physicians but to mastery of three essential texts:
《黄帝内经》and《素问》
《神农本草》
《太素》
《太素》 and the Art of Pulse Reading
The《太素》text delves into the mysteries of pulse， an arcane art known as “three-finger Zen.” Masters of pulse reading can not only diagnose illnesses but also predict a person’s fortunes.
Conclusion
Chinese medicine is a profound and complex discipline that requires a deep understanding of the human body and its connection to the natural world. Through the four pillars of diagnosis – observing， listening， inquiring， and pulsing – practitioners seek to unravel the hidden mysteries of human health and restore balance and harmony.