[Influences of the introduction of western medicine on the evolution of concept of viscera-bowels theory].

ABSTRACT

Viscera-bowels theory is one of the key parts of the theoretical system of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The concept of viscera-bowels in TCM at the turn of the Ming-Qing Dynasties must have anatomical significance in western medical context. By then, western medicine began its dissemination into China with the conflict between it and TCM, which gradually increased, and eventually triggering the major debate between them in early 20th century. Under this background, Yun Tie-qiao definitely pointed out that TCM viscera-bowels was different from western anatomical visceral organs; rather, it was a theoretical model characterized by seasonal qi transformation. Thus, it became the beginning of the nature of five viscera - six bowels interpreted by TCM functional unit and pushing the development of modern TCM theoretical system. Hence, the correct handling of history of its evolutionary process from the TCM recognition on viscera-bowels to the western visceral idea is helpful to the orientation and its total implication in TCM viscera-bowels and its research.