Brief investigation on the development of ancient pizhen: a discussion on the production and dissemination of its knowledge.
10.13703/j.0255-2930.20240425-k0003
- Author:
Li WANG
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China.
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
knowledge dissemination;
knowledge history;
nine needles;
pizhen
- MeSH:
History, Ancient;
Humans;
Acupuncture Therapy/history*;
China;
Medicine in Literature/history*;
Acupuncture Points;
Needles/history*;
History, Medieval
- From:
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion
2024;44(12):1439-1444
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Pizhen is one of the ancient nine needles recorded in Lingshu (Miraculous Pivot), used for pricking pus initially; and it is extensively operated to treat sores and ulcers in the later dynasties. Since the Song and Ming dynasties, there were the changes in the material, form and application scope of pizhen in surgery. By analyzing the representative surgery works, it was found that there were four kinds of pizhen in its evolution, including sword-like needle, triangle-like needle, willow-leaf-like needle and slant type. The action scope was expanded, removing carbuncle, draining pus and cutting off masses and rotten muscles besides pricking pus, blood and harmful fluids. Since the introduction of surgical technology, pizhen almost disappeared in surgery. The paper analyzes the evolution routes of this ancient needle and its influence factors from the perspective of knowledge development. It is summarized that the development of pizhen is related to the approaches to the knowledge production of acupuncture-moxibustion and its inheritance, the limitation of the dissemination of pizhen technique and lack of theoretical derivation.
