Medical Publications

Medical publications that reach the West contain many well documented examples of the effectiveness of Chinese medicine in treating a variety of different problems. T

he Journal of Chinese Medicine published quarterly in Beijing for world wide circulation is dedicated solely to the scientific investigation of Chinese medical techniques, twelve or more projects being reported in each issue.

For example, the Journal of June 1986 discusses the effects of acupuncture treatment for malaria, which took place over a period of four years. Of the 133 patients treated with acupuncture 111 improved and showed no signs of relapse after three to four months; blood tests showed that no malarial parasites were present.

In the same Journal, there is a report on the expulsion of gallstones using Chinese Herbs, and reports in the March issue of the same year discuss the effective use of acupuncture for the treatment of tumours in combination with radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

This large body of research, undertaken by Western-trained as well as traditional doctors, shows an exciting way forward for the advancement of both medical systems.

However, the research criteria laid down by the Western medical professional tends, as we have seen, to restrict the type of acupuncture treatment that can be given - and also the assessment of its progress.

Success in Western medicine is seen in terms of relief of symptoms whereas the acupuncturist measures success in wider terms. The aim of Chinese medicine is not merely to eliminate disease, but to change the functioning and quality of life.

 Patients receiving treatment will often comment that they feel better or are able to function more fully before any distinct physiological changes may be apparent.

It is to be hoped that in the future, both in orthodox and alternative medical research, these important factors will be given :i more central place and the patient seen as a whole being rather than in terms of separate symptoms.