[Differences on Acupuncture Reinforcing and Reducing Theory Between Neijing and Nanjing].

Reinforcing and reducing manipulation is the elite of traditional acupuncture needling methods. Abundant records could be found in Neijing(The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) and Nanjing (The Classic on Medical Problems) at early times. In the present paper, the author collates and compares the recordation of reinforcing and reducing acupuncture manipulation in these two classics on the basis of the principle and connotation of the two manipulations and from three key factors as stimulus location,manipulation technique and needling time. Based on objective analysis of the original text,distinct differences were found in above three aspects. Therefore, the conclusion is that Neijing and Nanjing resemble different medical school of thoughts at an early phase of acupuncture theories.

[Qi Runs Through Acupuncture Needle Stimulation and Pulse Diagnosis:Our Considerations About Connotations of Qi in Acupuncture-Diagnosis-Treatment Scriptures in Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon].

The ancient classic work Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon has abundant expositions about the relationship between the acupuncture needle manipulation and pulse diagnosis. However, the relevant imparting and inheritance situations are relatively weaker nowadays probably due to the rapid development of modern diagnosis-therapeutic techniques and some faults or careless omission in understanding classical medical works. Qi, a core concept of the abundant expositions in Inner Canon, has seldom been thoroughly interpreted about its connotations. For this reason, in the present paper, the authors make a careful explanation about the connotations of Qi in Inner Canon from 1) the concept of Qikou (a superficial window of the body reflecting the functional state of internal organs), 2) pulse conditions, 3) its relationship with meridian-collateral diagnosis, and 4) the link between acupuncture needle stimulation and pulse diagnosis based on the scriptures and words description in combination with many scholars' doctrines, trying to explore its profound significance. In addition, the authors also expound its association with the effectiveness of distant treatment of acupuncture and the characteristics in relation to ancient medical scholars' thoughts.

New Perspectives on the Origin of Korean Acupuncture: Based on Materials from Xiaoyingzi Tomb, Yanji and Neighbouring Region.

This article discusses the development of early acupuncture needles as demonstrated by the artifacts excavated from the Northern part of the Yanji district, Jilin, China, during the Japanese colonial era (reported in 1941). Numerous bone needles, stone needles, and other medical devices were found in the Xiaoyingzi excavation. The stone needles from Xiaoyingzi can be categorized into three grades, based on length, of 8cm, 12-15cm, and 18cm. A set of round stones for massage were also discovered, along with obsidian blades. These relics were carefully stored in the middle of the body in the stone coffin. In addition to Xiaoyingzi, stone needles were also excavated along the lower valley region of the Tuman (Tumen, ) River. These facts indicate that the owner was involved in medical practice, and that medical procedures using stone needles were quite popular at the time. This article carefully investigates that the relics have nothing to do with weaving textile or military use. Current research on the origin of acupuncture has been confined either to stone needles from the prehistoric age or to bronze needles, as well as to literature from the Warring States period to the Han China, during which acupuncture technology was considerably expanded. However, substantial knowledge on the "gap" between stone needles and metal needles has been procured through the analysis of Xiaoyingzi, Yanji. The findings of Xiaoyingzi are also significant in providing a more detailed reconstruction of the development of acupuncture in East Asia and emergence of acupuncture throughout history. A large amount of medical items (stone and bone needles, cases for needles, massage stone type bianshi, and etc.), have been excavated from Xiaoyingzi and other neighbouring sites, Along with geographic and ecological factors, this archeological data strongly suggests the medical tradition of using acupuncture needles was practiced around Tumen River basin in the Bronze Age (10th century B.C.).

Hollow needle cataract aspiration in antiquity.

The dislocation of the crystalline lens or couching technique was the predominant procedure to surgically remove cataracts until the 18th century A.D. However, in the Middle Ages, some Arab physicians tried to aspirate the opaque lens by means of a glass tube following a paracentesis. Some literary sources attributed the origins of this technique to Antyllus of Alexandria, a Greek surgeon who lived in the 2nd century A.D. in the Roman Empire. Nevertheless, this statement remains unclear and is probably the consequence of posterior interpretations or incorrect translations of the manuscripts. In recent years, the discovery of the hollow needles from Montbellet (France) and Viladamat (Spain), in archaeological settlements dated between the 1st century and 3rd century A.D., has reopened the possibility of cataract extraction as an option in the surgical management of soft cataracts in the antiquity. In any case, these findings are exceptional, and thus, probably this technique was not widely practised and very likely disparaged by the medical community.

[On the depth of needle insertion].

The statement on the depth of needle insertion is collected from Neiiing (nternal Classic) and Nanjing (Classic of Medical Problems) and the relationship of it is discussed with meridians, diseases, symptoms, location of sickness, qi and blood changes in human body, time, layers of needle insertion, reinforcing and reducing of acupuncture, etc. The factors are explored for the determination of the puncture depth, which provides the important guidance for the depth of insertion, needling sensation, reinforcing and reducing manipulations, acupuncture effect and the improvement of acupuncture efficacy. The complex and mystery of acupuncture technique focus on the control of insertion depth. In clinical practice, the increase of needle insertion depth may not induce the equal increase of efficacy. The depth of needle insertion is rather relevant with stimulation at the effective acupoint in the effective layer.

[Discussion on needling manipulation of Chifeng Yingyuan].

Regarding the needling manipulation, Chifeng Yingyuan, there are different descriptions in ancient medical literature and the current teaching materials or clinical reports, especially for the understanding recorded in Jinzhenfu Poem of Golden Needle). In the current teaching materials and clinical reports, it is described that the needle is inserted deeply at first, and then shallowly; afterward, the needle tip is pushed to the middle layer and manipulated with lifting, thrusting and rotating technique, combined with twisting and flying method. After analyzing the original description in the book and the feasibility of function and operation, the authors introduced their recognition on its manipulation and techniques in this article. This manipulation should be: the needle is inserted to the middle layer, afterward, the needle body is pulled and tilted toward each of the four directions, on this basis, then twisting and flying method is applied.

[Academic origin of round magnetic needle and standardization operation].

The origin and development of round magnetic needle was explored, and the structure of round magnetic needle was introduced in detail, including the handle, the body and the tip of the needle. The clinical opera tion of round magnetic needle were standardized from the aspects of the methods of holding needle, manipulation skill, tapping position, strength of manipulation, application scope and matters needing attention, which laid foundation for the popularization and application of round magnetic needle.

[Discussion on twirling reinforcing-reducing method].

The essence of twirling reinforcing-reducing method is discussed to provide theoretical guidance for clinical application of reinforcing-reducing method. Through retrospection on historical literature of twirling reinforcing-reducing method, records and explanatory notes are thoroughly explored. Several existing opinions are analyzed and explained for instance twirling method has connection with circulation direction of channels; twirling method is subdivided into right and left, male and female, hand and foot; twriling method is related to quantity of stimulus and operation time; twriling method belongs to spiral motion and so on. As a result, it is found that the key of twirling reinforcing-reducing method is the posture of needle-holding hand that defines three-dimensional motion. If twirling method is subdivided into right and left, male and female, hand and foot and so on, steric effects of lifting-thrusting movement that come along with twirling method could be ignored at the same time. It is that the essence of twirling reinforcing-reducing method is close to the principle of lifting-thrusting reinforcing-reducing method, enriching effect with slow insertion and fast withdrawal of needle while reducing effect with fast insertion and slow withdrawal, which is recorded in Miraculous Pivot: Nine needle and Twelve Yuan. With this principle as guide, manipulation could be avoided to become a mere formality and illusory metaphysics during clinical application of twirling reinforcing-reducing method.

[Shape and functions of shear needle in Internal Classic].

The shape of shear needle mentioned in Internal Classic was explored according to the available documents and the unearthed relics. And the functions of shear needle were studied as well. It is held that the initial shape of shear needle is the imitation of plowshare. Its head is wide and flat, which is similar to a triangle. And it's base and a hypotenuse form an acute angle with narrow and sharp blades. The blade of the base and the tip of the acute angle is considered as the site of action, which can be applied for fast and superficial insertion or cutting at the local area. It can protect the body from damage of interior tissues, and at the same time, has the function of clearing heat.

[Injection medicines: historical notes on their use and development, with special reference to Icelandic conditions]. / Brot úr sögu stungulyfja: Med sérstöku tilliti til íslenskra adstaedna.

The first reliable syringes and hollow needles for the injections of drugs subcutaneously, intramuscularily and intravenously or for other injections came into use shortly after 1850. As far is known, morphine was the first drug to be injected subcutaneously, using a syringe and a hollow needle. Use of injection medicines, especially containing morphine or other alkaloids, became widespread among European doctors in the latter half of the 19th century. The use of injection medicines began before the existence of infectious microbes or microorganisms in general had become common knowledge, or the equilibria of electrolytes in and around living cells had been understood. Thus, injection medicines, their production and procedures of use had to pass through lengthy development lasting nearly one hundred years, in order to reach the levels of quality standards now universally accepted. It was also a definite advancement when disposable syringes and needles came into general use around 1960. Accessibility to injection medicines and their use was seemingly on a low scale in Iceland until 1930 or thereabout. The production of injection medicines in Iceland began in substance in the fourth decade of the last century. The production was generic, following official formulas, and was based in several pharmacies and a few drug companies. Only two producers offered a sizeable assortment of drugs. The production gradually became concentrated in a few firms and was finally handled by only one international, locally based, generic drugs firm, where the domestic production of injection medicines ended shortly after 2000.

Jaques-Louis Reverdin (1842-1929): the surgeon and the needle.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES: With the development and rise of abdominal laparoscopic techniques, the old Reverdin needle has had a revival, because it proved to be useful for the endoscopic closure of laparoscopic access ports, in order to lower the incidence of incisional hernias. Several new modifications of the Reverdin needle, with different names, are in the market now. This new use of an old instrument, prompted a review of the life and work of Jaques-Louis Reverdin, the Swiss surgeon trained in Paris and founder of the modern Swiss surgery. METHODS: Biographical and bibliographical review of Jaques-MLouis Reverdin and his contributions to surgery RESULTS: Jaques-Louis Reverdin (1842-1929), born in Geneva, completed his medical studies in Paris, where he practised in several well-known hospitals such as La Pitié (with Goselin), Saint Louis (with Guérin), Lariboisiére, and Necker (with Guyon). In 1869 he published and presented in several meetings, a pioneering experience of successful free skin graft procedure, that is still performed in some cases and constitutes the first organ transplantation. In 1870 he presented his doctoral thesis "Etude sur l'uréthrotomie interne" with the expeience of his master Guyon (63 operations), gaining the Civiale prize and the bronze medal of the Paris Faculty of Medicine. He returned back to Geneva in 1872 to begin a long surgical practice and Faculty teaching, and he made seminal contributions to the knowledge of thyroid diseases, in particular on the clinical presentation of function deficiency following exeresis of the thyroid gland ( postoperative myxoedema). His contributions paralleled that made by Theodor Kocher in Bern, the surgeon that received in solitary the Nobel prize for these studies in 1909. With Jean6hyphen;Louis Prevost and Constant Picot, they founded the "Revue medicale de la Suisse romande", the most important Swiss medical journal of the 20th century. He is remembered in the field of Urology for a special needle designed to pass through a suture in a time were catgut and silk were the most employed sutures to control organ pedicles. CONCLUSIONS: Reverdin, that pertains to the glorious epoch were surgery -performed under anaesthesia and with the antisepsis postulates of Lister and Pasteur-, reached most of his goals, is remembered for the first human transplant (skin grafting), and, fortunately, one of the several surgical instrument he designed, the Reverdin needle, had a revival in current laparoscopic surgery.

[New exploration on the types and forms of stone needle].

The basic use of stone needles in curing disease is cutting the carbuncles and purulences and pricking and draining off the sores. As a result, the forms of stone needle need to have a sharp cutting edge or slender point. Combining with corresponding unearthed material objects of archeology, the microlithic stone needle of mainly consists of a scraper, tip-like device and stone arrowheads. The stone needle of polished stone implements can be divided into three categories according to different forms and functions, that is conical-tip stone needles for pricking, e. g. lithostyle, coup de poing and stone arrowhead etc. ; sickle-shaped needle stone for cutting, e. g. stone knife, stone sickle, stone adze and stone chisel etc; spear-shaped stone needle for both cutting and pricking, e. g. stone spear, stone sword, jade (stone) spear etc. From the usage cases recorded in the ancient literature, the conical-tip stone needle for pricking ought to be the most used of the ancient stone needles. Use of the stone needle for hot stroking, massage and knocking at the body surface, which was raised by some related scholars, does not belong to the domain of ancient stone needles.

[The invention and improvement of ancient needle tools of traditional Chinese medicine TCM].

The development of needle tools in ancient China underwent a process of from stone through bamboo, bone, ceramic to metal materials, from rough to delicate manufacture, from multiple uses of a single one to diversified structure and shapes with different functions. Making research on the developing history of needle tools from Stone Age to the Ming and Qing dynasties in its materials, craftsmanship and applications can reveal the inventive values.