The international dissemination of Chinese acupuncture represents a successful model of medical and cultural exchange between the East and the West, as well as an exemplary case of Chinese culture going global. In 1971, following the announcement by Xinhua News Agency that "acupuncture anesthesia technology had achieved success", American medical educator Professor Edmunds Grey Dimond became the first foreign doctor to visit China for an investigation of acupuncture anesthesia. His efforts significantly contributed to the promotion of Chinese acupuncture within western medical communities. From the perspective of acupuncture humanities, this article reviews and analyzes Dimond's academic background, his journey to study acupuncture anesthesia in China, and his unique insights into acupuncture, exploring how his open-minded and objective approach facilitated the acceptance and dissemination of acupuncture anesthesia and acupuncture techniques in the West.
China ; Humans ; History, 20th Century ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Acupuncture/history* ; Acupuncture Analgesia/history* ; History, 21st Century

During the period of the Republic of China, acupuncture faced different opportunities and developments in China and the West. The correspondence between Soulié de Morant, the father of European acupuncture, and FANG Shen'an, a famous acupuncture master of the Republic of China, is of great significance to explore the exchange of acupuncture between China and France, the development of acupuncture in France, the Western learning of Chinese medicine, and the dissemination of academic ideas of acupuncture in the Republic of China. The authors studied Soulié de Morant's collection stored in the Museum of Western Studies of Chinese Medicine of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, and found Soulié de Morant's annotation of Jinzhen Mizhuan (Secrets of Golden Needle), the 1937 edition, and 3 paper letters with FANG Shen'an (2 letters in French and 1 letter in Chinese). After the language translation and collation, based on the correspondence between two masters, in association with the historical background and the narration of CHEN Yemeng, the inheritor of Fang's acupuncture, this paper reviews the process of academic exchanges between them, so as to display the historical development of acupuncture in China and the West.
China ; History, 20th Century ; Acupuncture/education* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; France ; Correspondence as Topic/history*

The biography, medical writings and family lineages of Qilu medical masters in the Ming and Qing dynasties were collected and collated, so as to analyze their contributions to expounding acupuncture and moxibustion theories, practicing medical ethics and morals, and academic inheritance in later generations; as well as exploring the valuable guidance to clinical practice of modern acupuncture and moxibustion. ZHAI Liang, YUE Hanzhen, HUANG Yuanyu and LIU Kui were representatives of Qilu masters in the Ming and Qing dynasties. They showed their respects on classics with high inclusion, laid stress on elaboration and innovation in theories and practice of meridians, acupoints and acupuncture technique specially. Based on family heritage and apprenticeship, not only the academic school of acupuncture-moxibustion with regional characteristics had been cultivated, but also the important foundation been laid for the perfection of acupuncture-moxibustion diagnosis and treatment system in later generations. The integration of medical ethics and medical skills showed the spirit of "the benevolence of a doctor". These masters devoted themselves to the collation and research of medical books, collected the classics of medical masters, and wrote a number of easily-learned popular works for clinical application to benefit future generations.
Moxibustion/history* ; Humans ; China ; Acupuncture/education* ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; History, 20th Century ; History, 19th Century

This paper introduces the academic characteristics of Professor ZHANG Ren in treatment with acupuncture for refractory eye diseases in modern times, guided by "homotherapy for heteropathy" (same therapy for different diseases sharing the same pathogenesis). The refractory eye diseases in modern times include a variety of conditions such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, high myopia and its complications, dry eye, cortical visual impairment and genetic eye diseases. The same therapy is used because these diseases share the similar location and pathogenesis. Professor ZHANG optimizes the methods of acupoint selection and provides the comprehensive prescriptions, "basic prescription, prescription based on disease differentiation, and supplementary prescription". A variety of acupuncture manipulation techniques are operated in clinical practice, such as compound needling methods, penetration needling, manipulations for promoting qi movement and conducting qi flow. "Early, regular and persistent" treatment is the common requirement with "the same acupoints, the same prescription and the same acupuncture method" as well as at "the same time". It is also proposed that the treatment should be provided flexibly according to the different symptoms, "identifying the differences within similarities".
Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Humans ; Eye Diseases/history* ; Acupuncture Points ; History, 20th Century ; China ; History, 21st Century

The paper introduces the reconstruction of Professor JI Laixi's modern paradigm of thought, "making use of various therapeutic methods". Professor JI Laixi reveres the concept of "integration of western medicine and TCM" and advocates the "combination of advantageous techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion". Guided by the concept of "combination of superiority, and coordinated adjustment", a multi-mode intervention is delivered in treatment, including the operation with the nine needles, relaxation with acupotomy, acupoint thread-embedding, Chinese herbal compounds and adjuvant therapy with western medicines, so as to obtain dynamic adjustment of multiple targets and levels, "taking effectiveness as the first priority". The pathway of clinical practice is determined and clear, which provides a paradigm of "upholding the right and innovating" for the modernization of acupuncture and moxibustion.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; China ; Moxibustion/history* ; History, 20th Century ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; Acupuncture/history*

In 1929, George Soulié de Morant and Paul Ferreyrolles co-authored their first acupuncture-moxibustion paper titled "L' Acuponcture en Chine vingt siècles avant J.-C. et la réflexothérapie moderne", greatly advancing the development of acupuncture-moxibustion in Europe. Their paper systematically explains the holistic view and the concept of yin-yang balance in traditional Chinese medicine, describes the techniques of acupuncture and moxibustion, innovatively classifies acupuncture-moxibustion as "reflexotherapy", organizes the effects of certain acupuncture points illustrated on human acupoint atlas; and for the first time, it summarizes the correspondence between acupuncture points and Weihe trigger points. In the historical background of the neo-Hippocratic movement, they used the existing theories at that time to explain acupuncture, and adopted the analogical medicine to explore the mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion, which gradually initiated the modern era of acupuncture-moxibustion in France. Such research method is conducive to reducing the unfamiliarity of acupuncture-moxibustion among westerners, deepening their understanding of its theories and therapeutic effect, and also integrating it with other medical research. It breaks through the limitations of traditional theories and obtains the self-improvement and progress.
Humans ; Moxibustion/history* ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; China ; History, Ancient ; History, 20th Century ; Acupuncture/history* ; Reflexotherapy/history* ; Acupuncture Points ; History, 19th Century ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history*

During the mid-20th century, Dr. Paul Ferreyrolles played an important role in the dissemination of acupuncture in France. He keenly recognized the unique value of the acupuncture knowledge brought from China by Soulié de Morant, devoted himself to its practice and research, and attempted to interpret its principles through western knowledge. From Ferreyrolles' experiences and contributions, three key factors can be identified for the successful spread of acupuncture in Europe: the availability of comprehensive translated texts, the broad recognition of therapeutic efficacy, and the adaptation and interpretation of acupuncture in western terms.
Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; France ; Humans ; History, 20th Century ; Acupuncture/education*

This paper presents a textual research on the author, year of composition, basic content, and academic value of Zhenjiu Neipian (Inner Analects of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). This acupuncture-moxibustion work was written by DA Zhongguang, alias Jiang Shang Wai Shi, a renowned painter and calligrapher of the Qing Dynasty. The work was compiled around the reign of Emperor Kangxi (1661-1692). It includes four parts. The first part covers general theories and needle-forging techniques; the second part introduces meridian and acupoint diagrams and the verses of acupoints; the third part is the verses of contraindications of acupuncture and moxibustion; and the fourth part discusses reinforcing and reducing techniques. Zhenjiu Neipian is mainly based on Dou's acupuncture books, Pu Ji Fang (Formulas for Universal Relief), Lei Jing Tu Yi (Pictorial Appendices to 'The Classified Classic'), Zhenjiu Dacheng (The Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion), Gu Jin Yi Tong Da Quan (The Complete Compendium of Ancient and Modern Medical Works), Zi Hui (Dictionary of Chinese Characters) , and Ling's acupuncture books. Zhenjiu Neipian preserves some lost writings in lost medical books such as Dou's acupuncture books and Ling's acupuncture books. In addition, it plays an important role in acupoint selection methods, acupuncture and moxibustion techniques, and the indications of acupoints, presenting a high literature and clinical value. This book is an invaluable acupuncture-moxibustion book for studying Ling's acupuncture techniques.
Humans ; China ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Moxibustion/history* ; History, 17th Century ; Acupuncture/education* ; Books/history* ; Acupuncture Points

In June 1958, the first specialized acupuncture hospital, the Affiliated Acupuncture Experimental Hospital of Jiangsu Provincial School of TCM, was established in Nanjing. This hospital was founded under the initiative of Mr. CHENG Dan'an, the founder of the Chengjiang School of Acupuncture. Centered on clinical acupuncture, the hospital also carried out research and teaching, forming an integrated development model of medical care, education, and research. Its development experience, including a clear hospital-running philosophy, orientation toward solving clinical needs, and deep integration of medical care, education, and research, provides important historical references for the construction of modern specialized acupuncture hospitals.
China ; History, 20th Century ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Humans ; Acupuncture/education* ; Hospitals, Special/history*

This article systematically reviews the characteristics and trends of the writing, editing, publication and promotion of physiology textbooks in China from the late 19th century to the present, focusing on the introduction, development and innovation of Chinese physiology textbooks. The development of physiology textbooks in China is divided into four main stages: the introduction and initial development of physiology textbooks from the late 19th century to 1925; the localization and diversification of textbooks from 1926 to 1949, after the establishment of the Chinese Physiological Society; the exploratory phase of textbook construction after the founding of the People's Republic of China from 1949 to 1976; the formation and innovation of the textbook development process from 1977 to the present, following the restoration of the college entrance examination. For each phase, the article not only records the historical development of physiology textbooks, but also analyzes the evolution of their content, writing styles and the interaction with the social and political contexts. The article summarizes the characteristics and experiences of all these four phases. Special attention is given to the comprehensive statistical analysis of physiology textbooks published since the restoration of the college entrance examination and Economic Reform and Opening-up in 1977, revealing the changes in the number, publication trends and academic features of textbooks during this period. Finally, the article presets the future development of physiology textbooks in China, proposing that textbook writing should integrate aspects such as ideological and political education, medical humanities, basic and clinical medicine, health education, scientific research and international exchange and collaboration. The article also advocates for the application of new technologies and methods, such as artificial intelligence, virtual teaching models and knowledge graphs, to support "personalized learning". This research provides a systematic reference for the study of the history of medical education and offers theoretical support for the future innovation of physiology textbook in China.
Humans ; China ; History, 19th Century ; History, 20th Century ; History, 21st Century ; Physiology/education* ; Textbooks as Topic/history*