Hongwei Liu
Abstract: Dr. Shi Yi-Ren (1896-1966) was a renowned Chinese medical doctor and educator. He is also one of the pioneers of the integration of Chinese and Western medicine. In 1931, he was appointed as the first Standing member of the Executive Board, and the academic organization committee at the Central Medical Hospital. In 1938, he served as a member of the Chinese Medicine Committee of the Department of Health, a Standing Member of the Chinese Medical Education Society, and a member of the Chinese Medical Textbook Editing Committee; in 1940, he founded the Chinese Medicine School, Society, and Magazine of Fuxing; in 1948, he was appointed as the acting director of Central Medical hospital, and founded the Capital Hospital of TCM; in 1949, he established the Chinese Medicine Specialist Department in the Central Medical Hospital; After 1949, he was the senior professor to train the TCM professional educators’ class at Jiangsu Provincial School of Traditional Chinese Medicine; in 1955, he was assigned as first director of internal medicine at Xi-Yuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medicine Science, served as the professor of “First Class for Western Doctors Learning Chinese Medicine”. For over fifty years, he not only developed his academic insight into Chinese medicine, but also advocated the integration of Chinese and Western medicine, for the complementary nature of Chinese and Western medicine, and the combination of differentiation between disease and syndrome. He also created a new teaching model for the training of Chinese medical professionals. This article systematically analyzes the following “five modernizations” proposed by Dr. Shi, organized for reference by Chinese medicine practitioners.
1. A philosophy of systemization and scientization of TCM theory
2. Clinical experience, concentration and experimentation
3. Pharmacology, physiology, and chemistry of herbal medicines
4. The mechanization and practicality of TCM diagnosis and treatment
5. Political and social aspects of disease prevention
Keywords: Dr. Shi Yi-ren, Reviving Chinese Medicine，Academic Thoughts
The first half of the 20th century was a very sensitive period for Chinese medicine. Starting from the late Qing Dynasty, Chinese medicine gradually lost its mainstream medical status to Western medicine and was impacted by Western medicine on many fundamental and core issues. In addition, at the time, the government did not support traditional medicine, going so far as to try to abolish it at some points. The situation was extremely difficult. At that time, people in the traditional medicine community not only wanted to open up a new world in clinical practice with enthusiasm, but also became more active in founding journals, setting up societies, and running schools to promote their views and ideas in the broader society, and contribute to the medical culture of the Chinese nation, the development of the healthcare industry and the place of traditional Chinese medicine in society. They made contributions to the cause of reviving traditional Chinese medicine in order to better benefit people around the world.
Dr. Shi Yiren was an outstanding representative of this time. Shi Yiren (1896-1966) was originally from Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. He was born in Yizheng and later moved to Zhenjiang. He was famed as a scientist, educator, theorist, clinician and reformer, he was also a pioneer of the integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.［1］［2］
Dr. Shi Yiren, early in the early years of the Republic of China, immersed himself in extensive reading of traditional Chinese medical texts, and actively participated in the activities of medical societies of his day. Being young, energetic, and highly intellectually, he developed the idea of organizing medical books, proposing the view that “the more medical books there are, the more confusing medicine becomes.” As he said in his own words: “In the fifth year of the Republic of China, when I first started practicing medicine, I came up with the idea of compiling medical books.”［3］He believed that “medical books from previous generations each had their biases,” and that traditional Chinese medicine had not reached its most refined form, and had various shortcomings. In summary, “There is no standard for the editing of books; no standard scale for diagnosis; no standard method for passing down knowledge; and for any single symptom, there are often a thousand different opinions about the cause. As a result, the overall picture cannot be thoroughly studied. Acupuncture and witch doctoring are lumped together and dismissed as nonsense; traditional medicine’s physiological and pathological principles are not clearly stated.”［4］To this end, he used a unique classification method to study ancient Chinese medicine books. He divided ancient medical books into four categories: one is the “School of Invention” (including seminal texts like the “Huangdi Neijing”, “Shen Nong’s Materia Medica”, etc. which propose and set out the basic theories that later generation followed), the “School of Compilation” (such as “Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold”, “Wai Tai Mi Yao”, etc. which accumulate many ideas and clinical insights from various sources), the “School of Study” (such as “Medicine Enlightenment”, and “Must-read for medical practitioners”, etc. which presented cogent collections of ideas for teaching purposes), and the “School of Opinions” (such as the Four Schools of Jin and Yuan Dynasties, Book of Eight Families of Ming and Qing Dynasties, etc. which propose their personal variations on concepts about etiology of disease and the treatment methods which those etiologies entail). His ideas can be described as unconventional. Early on the renowned physician Zhang Zanchen praised him for his emerging talents: “Since the fifth year of the Republic of China, his extensive insights into medicine have been widely seen in publications such as the ‘Shaoxing Medical Journal,’ ‘Yuyao Health News,’ ‘San San Medical News’ in Hangzhou, and the ‘Medical Health News’ in Nanjing. He has authored numerous works and is highly admired in the medical community. He has also contributed to various medical publications in other regions, demonstrating a dedicated pursuit of medical studies, which has led to astonishing achievements.”［5］
In “Declaration of medical Demonstration” by Dr. Shi Yiren in 1919, he systematically expressed his thoughts, attaching importance to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine and reconstructing the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. He believed that there was a theory of traditional Chinese medicine from the earliest times, and books such as “Ling Shu”, “Su Wen”, “Mai Jing” and “Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun” were pivotal in laying out this theoretical foundation. But since those early times, medicine has gradually tended away from this theory to treat symptoms without regard for those earlier theoretical frameworks. Especially in recent times, he said, “there are many books of clinical medical records, and the more which are published, the worse they get. The tricks of marketplace doctors are endless, and medicine has deviated from its original path to become mere tricks!” He clearly realized that Traditional Chinese medicine has lacked theoretical innovation and only has techniques that adapt to the world. Expressing deep concern, he pointed out: “Recently, the European style has spread eastward, and scientific innovation has been spreading. The trend is rapid and aggressive. A man of insight understands that without reform, survival is impossible. What is meant by reform? It means advancing to seek out its theories. With the status of traditional Chinese medicine today, if it does not advance, it will regress; if it does not persist, it will perish! Theories are the mother of facts. Only with precise theories can there be precise facts; this is why new knowledge progresses rapidly. Absurd theories lead to absurd facts, which is why old knowledge responds sluggishly. If traditional Chinese medicine does not refine its theories, its errors will be significant. It’s not too late to take action in time. From now on, I understand this.”［6］It can be seen that Shi Yiren was determined to organize and improve traditional Chinese medicine and devoted his life’s energy to implement the ambitions laid out in the “ Declaration of Medical Demonstration ”. Shi Yiren has also published “Organization of the Academic Propositions of Traditional Chinese Medicine”, “Several Tenets for Research on Chinese Medicine”, “Discuss of Advantage and Disadvantage of Historic Chinese Medicine Books”, and “Classification of Chinese Medical Books and Research Procedures”. It fully demonstrates his spirit of hard work for the transmission and development of traditional Chinese medicine. According to the author’s statistics, the works edited and published by Dr. Shi Yiren include: “Shi’s Study of the Neijing”, “Lectures on Physiology”,“ Lectures on the Jin Gui”, “Shi’s Diagnosis”, “Brief Clinical Prescriptions”, “Lectures on Pharmacology”, “Lectures on Chinese Prescriptions”, “Chinese Seasonal Disease Studies”, “Comprehensive Treatise on Warm Diseases”, “Chinese Acute Infectious Disease Studies”, “Cholera”, “Chinese Gynecology”, “Shi’s Smallpox Disease Studies”, “Chinese Internal Medicine”, “Chinese Infectious Disease Studies”, “Chinese Materia Medica”, “Shi’s Pathology”, “Traditional Chinese Medicine for Cold Damage and Warm Diseases”, “Essentials of Treating External Febrile Diseases”, “Shi’s Prescriptions”, “Chinese Pediatrics”, “Practical Handbook of Internal Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine”, “Practical Experienced Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulas”, “Chinese Infectious Disease Prevention Methods”, “Selected and Evaluated Formula Essentials”, “Selected and Evaluated Medical Case Essentials”, “Review and Collection of Tested Formulas”, “Shi Yiren’s Medical Cases”, “Chinese Internal Medicine Diagnostic Studies”, “Medical Classic Medication Regulations”, “Yiren Tang Medical Book Series”, “Yiren Medical Talks”, “Jiangzuo Yiren Medical Society Series” , authored over 30 books, covering a wide range of subjects within TCM including fundamental theory, febrile diseases, pharmacology, formulas, internal medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, and infectious diseases. His dedication reflects the realization of the theoretical framework he envisioned in his youth, a pioneering achievement in the history of TCM development. As Professor Zheng Jinsheng, an expert in medical history and literature at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, remarked: “I have never seen any TCM scholar from the Republic of China era who could write so many and such a comprehensive system of TCM on their own!”［7］Reflecting on Dr. Shi Yiren’s declaration and lifelong accomplishments, he truly embodies the saying “one word carries great weight” and epitomizes perseverance. His steadfast spirit commands deep respect and serves as a model for contemporary TCM practitioners dedicated to serious study and practice.
In the early days of the Republic of China, those in traditional Chinese medicine who faced the pressure concerning the survival of traditional Chinese medicine realized that the medicine itself should be improved. This was basically a consensus at that time. But there were different opinions as to how to improve it. Some believed that improving medical practice should come first, while others thought that improving pharmacology was most urgent. Dr. Shi Yiren believed that “organizing medicine” was the right path. That is to say, “elaborating inherent experience and incorporating scientific methods.” However, the clinical experience of traditional Chinese medicine exists in medical books, so sorting out medical books is the first task to improve traditional Chinese medicine.［8］His academic proposition, that improving traditional Chinese medicine must be based on organization, was put forward at the beginning of the establishment of the Central Medical College and adopted by the hospital. Therefore, he had successively served as a director and executive director of the Central Traditional Chinese Medicine Center, a full-time member of the Academic Compilation Committee, a member of the Textbook Compilation and Review Committee, a standing member of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Committee of the Department of Health, and a director of the China Medical Education Society. He once said: “I am very confident and want to make a considerable contribution to Chinese medicine with my own ability.”［4］Sincerely, it can move heaven and the earth.
In 1940, amidst a highly precarious social environment, Dr. Shi Yiren founded Fuxing Traditional Chinese Medicine School, Fuxing Traditional Chinese Medicine Society and the magazine “Fuxing Traditional Chinese Medicine” in Shanghai. To conduct a large-scale exchange on the organizing of traditional Chinese medicine. Dr. Shi Yiren named it “Reviving Traditional Chinese Medicine” at that time. In fact, as early as 1934 when he was in Shanxi, General Yan Xishan had great aspirations to revive traditional Chinese medicine and asked Mr. Shi Yiren to draft a plan. However, due to the tense national affairs and the turmoil of the current situation, Dr. Shi Yiren’s draft was not implemented. When he founded “Fuxing Traditional Chinese Medicine”, his article “Basic Conditions for Fuxing Chinese Medicine”［9］was published, which systematically expressed his academic opinions. Dr. Shi Yiren believes that the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine is undeniable. But what makes it difficult for you is “the absurdity of academic theory, the complexity of experience, the misunderstanding of terminology, and the differences among various schools and thought.” If we want to revive Chinese medicine, we must rectify and improve it. He summarized the specific methods for reviving traditional Chinese medicine into “five modernizations” described above, namely: A philosophy for the systemization and scientization of TCM theory, a method for deriving use from the literature of clinical experiences, and experimentation, a thorough investigation of the pharmacology, physiology, and chemistry of herbal medicines, the mechanization and practicality of TCM diagnosis and treatment, and the political and social aspects of disease prevention and public health with a traditional medical outlook.
1. Systematization and Scientification of Theories:
Dr. Shi Yiren believed that since the advancement of science, most academic disciplines have progressed accordingly, resulting in the continuous evolution of Western medicine. However, due to the lack of scientific scrutiny in Chinese medicine, many theories are deficient, and the books are disorganized. For example, some books only talk about symptoms but not pathogens; some books only talk about treatment but lack diagnosis, and so on. Therefore, Dr. Shi Yiren believes that to make the theory of traditional Chinese medicine systematic, it must be based on scientific principles: “Physiology should be used to study medicine’s functions, anatomy should be used to understand its body, pathology should follow its changes, and pharmacology should remedy its disadvantages.” Regarding the method of organization, the basic ideas of traditional Chinese medicine should be organized “based on physics, chemistry, biology, ethnography, eugenics, physiology, anatomy, etc.” “Based on physiology, anatomy, histology, diagnosis, medical chemistry, etc.” organizes the disease theory of traditional Chinese medicine. It should be organized based on two steps: observation and experiment. “If it matches, it will be compiled, if it doesn’t match, it will be discarded.” Then, the diseases of various categories and organs are divided into “definitions, causes, syndromes, pathology, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment methods, prescriptions, etc.” According to scientific methods, new knowledge is compromised to form a systematic theory that is consistent with application in clinical practice.［9］
Dr. Shi Yiren clearly pointed out long ago: “Fundamental medical sciences should primarily rely on the substance of Western medicine, supplemented by the insights of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM); applied medical sciences should prioritize TCM experiences while referring to Western medical methods. In this way, it is based on the essence of Western medicine, and there is no empty talk. The harm of rigidity.”［10］For example, he compiled his “Lecture Notes on Physiology”, “Lecture Notes on Chinese Prescriptions”, “Chinese Acute Infectious Diseases”, etc., which undoubtedly have great differences with traditional Chinese medicine in the classification of basic subjects. He also published many medical papers such as “On Holism” and “On Holistic Physiology” which were relatively strong in Western medicine at that time. Regarding applied and specialized disciplines, he believed: “Western medicine emphasizes the description of syndromes focusing on specific symptoms, while TCM emphasizes comprehensive symptoms. Western medicine prioritizes the focus on lesions, whereas TCM prioritizes the condition… Both perspectives should be integrated in research.” In terms of diagnosis and pathology, he believed that Western medicine was superior to TCM, therefore “Western medicine should be given priority and Chinese medicine should be supplemented.”［11］Therefore, he wrote books such as “Chinese Internal Medicine”, “Chinese Internal Medicine Diagnosis”, “Practical Chinese Internal Medicine Diagnosis and Treatment Manual”, etc., as well as “Chinese Gynecology”, “Chinese Pediatrics”, etc. They are all compiled based on the principles of integrating traditional Chinese and Western medicine and form a system of their own.
In summary, the subject classification advocated by Dr. Shi Yiren: fundamental subjects, applied subjects and specialized subjects have laid a good foundation for the scientific classification of today’s traditional Chinese medicine disciplines.
2. Centralization and the Experimental Confirmation of Clinical Experience:
The richness of Chinese medicine is thru thousands of years of clinical practice and historic scholar’s studies, which have formed its theoretical framework. Its special qualities lie in not only prescription experience, but also flexible differentiation syndrome of disease. Therefore, the significant treatment efficiency is just like floating drum. However, as time passed, specialized texts emerged, and these ancient traditions were not valued by the state. Some scholars, emphasizing the study of body, mind, and life, regarded medicine as a minor pursuit. Moreover, within medical families, their techniques were kept secret, passing down from father to son, or master to disciple. The treatment of medical skills as family heirlooms, and using secret prescriptions for profit, buried much of this experience in the community over the years, resulting in many valuable practices being lost. This is indeed one of the reasons for the decline of Chinese medicine today. There are many doctors in our country who are Either learned by themselves or taught by masters. Although they have different styles, they all have their own experience in the different specific field. For example, for certain diseases are not treated by western medicine, but can be very effectively treated by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners who have a special secret method passed down within a family. Unfortunately, there is no public research institution for Chinese medicine study, such that it could compete with Western medicine. If there were a centralized location for doing research, rewarding those with exceptional results and discarding ineffective methods, there would undoubtedly be astonishing discoveries and significant achievements, which can be confidently asserted.［9］
He also advocated that “Chinese medicine belongs to the Chinese people. Every essence of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) should be diligently studied by our people. It is crucial to promote domestically produced medicines. This is vital for national development and people’s livelihoods, and not a trivial matter. We should improve domestic medicines, resist foreign products, openly share previously secret techniques, promote traditional Chinese knowledge, and collaborate wholeheartedly. By maintaining and revitalizing TCM, there is great hope for the future, benefiting not only the public but also shining a light on our medical profession.”［12］During his tenure at the Shanxi Institute for TCM Improvement Research, Dr. Shi Yiren served as the principal reviewer and editor. The main person in charge collected a large number of folk prescriptions and organized a specialized agency to review and eliminate many absurd or unscientific treatment methods. He also edited and published 6 volumes of “Review and Collection of Prescriptions”, which included more than 6,000 prescriptions and was rich in content. It is convenient, safe and applicable. (This book is the first official compilation of prescriptions in the modern era.) It is widely promoted in order to further promote the theory and practice of traditional Chinese medicine.
3. Pharmacology, Physiology Standardization, and Chemicalization:
During the Republic of China, there were many proponents of the “discard traditional medicine, keep herbs” perspective. This view was even more popular among those who had received Western medical education. Dr. Shi Yiren repeatedly argued against this perspective, emphasizing the inseparable relationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Chinese herbal medicine. He used the serious consequences of the Meiji Restoration in Japan, which led to the destruction of traditional Chinese medicine, as a historical lesson, explicitly stating:“The application of Chinese herbal medicine is the crystallization of the accumulated experience of traditional Chinese medicine over generations. If we abandon the experience of TCM and solely focus on analyzing the efficacy of herbal medicine components, we may gain little and lose much.”［13］
The concept of “Abandoned Traditional medicine and Keep Herbal Medicine Only ” recognizes the usefulness of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, such as ephedra to relieve asthma, angelica root to nourish blood, etc. However, those who hold this view fail to recognize that the effectiveness of these medicines is precisely the achievement of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Dr. Shi Yiren once made a poignant analogy: Western medicine says traditional Chinese medicine can be discarded, but Chinese herbal medicine is still useful. This notion is “truly arbitrary slander,” akin to assessing the Chinese military after the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, and “calling the Chinese soldiers bad, but the firearms are still useful, and the firearms should be rewarded heavily, while there is no need to comfort the soldiers.” This is a ridiculous notion.［4］In fact, the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine is derived from the theories and clinical experiences of traditional Chinese medicine. The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine is mostly derived from its combined application under the guidance of TCM theories. Focusing solely on the components and effects of individual herbs while disregarding the critical practice of herbal compatibility is a grave error of misplaced priorities and material over humanity. This is the most fatal shortsightedness of those who advocate “discard medicine, keep herbs”! Therefore, Dr. Shi Yiren astutely pointed out: “The essence of Chinese herbal medicine lies in compatibility. If there is a methodical approach to compatibility, the results are remarkably successful, with no discovery of side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine has accumulated thousands of years of experience, and the combination of herbs in prescriptions is systematically tested and proven effective.” He believed that the correct approach should be to prioritize the experience of traditional Chinese medicine, supplemented by Western methods of testing and analysis, thus advancing both traditional Chinese medicine and the production of Chinese herbal medicine, ensuring no mistakes.［13］Dr. Shi Yiren promotes inseparable relationship between traditional Chinese medicine and Chinese herbs, His views enlightening today’s society and people who still hold the view of “Abandoned Traditional medicine and Keep Herbal Medicine Only”.
So, how do we study traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCM)? Dr. Shi Yi-ren believed that despite the thousands of years of evolution and the proven therapeutic effects of Chinese herbal medicine, it still relies heavily on experience without scientific verification or chemical analysis. Without research, it lacks clarity and remains merely empirical. In recent years, countries like Germany, the United States, and Japan have spared no effort in researching Chinese herbal medicine. They have extracted ephedrine from ephedra, considering it a medicine for treating asthma and inducing sweating; aconitine from aconite, believing it to be a medicine for strengthening the heart and relieving pain; and atropine from pinellia, believing it to be a medicine for relieving nausea and eliminating phlegm, among many others. Many Chinese herbal medicines once abandoned by those with a Western medicine background have now become revered after being researched by others. Therefore, the decline of traditional Chinese medicine is not only due to the lack of centralized experience but also because the medicines lack chemical analysis, which leaves it out of line with the principles of modern science. If we could thoroughly study the physiological and chemical aspects of various medicinal herbs, and determine their components, we could formulate prescriptions accordingly. For example, medicines containing colloids, such as hawthorn, angelica, and rehmannia glutinosa, can be made into ointments; medicines containing invariable, such as tangerine peel, citrus aurantium, and sodium salt, can be made into crystals; alum, borneol, sulfur, etc. can be made into powder; medicines containing water can be made into pulp. Medicines containing oil are made into ointment. For herbs such as ginseng and astragalus that are easy to deteriorate, and rot will put into glass jar. His suggestions could refine and popularize the expertise of TCM treatment methods, benefiting people worldwide.［9］Dr. Shi Yi-ren’s advocacy of modern research on Chinese herbal medicine laid the foundation for the modernization of TCM.
4. Mechanization and Practicality in Diagnosis and Treatment:
Since ancient times, medical diagnosis and treatment have been very straightforward, with diagnosis involving observation, listening and smelling, asking, and palpation. Treatment comprised massage, moxibustion, acupuncture, and herbal remedies, which are all very effective. However, later scholars became obsessed with palpation, neglecting observation, listening and smelling, and asking, which led to a lack of material application. The study of herbal remedies continued to advance, leading to it becoming the dominant treatment for organ disorders. The techniques of massage, moxibustion, and acupuncture gradually became lost, resulting in insufficient treatment methods, which is regrettable. Looking back over the past three hundred years in which Western science has developed, and material progress has been made, with medical instruments becoming more complete. Methods of diagnosis and treatment, such as sound, light, electromagnetic, and atomic applications, are all in use. When compared to Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine appears inadequate. Therefore, regarding methods of diagnosis and treatment, we should employ mechanization. In terms of diagnosis, the effective discernment of traditional Chinese medicine is indeed important, but the use of instruments is also necessary. For example, X-rays can be used to examine bone structure, and tests can be conducted on urine, blood, sputum, pus, stool, and juice, along with bacterial cultures, chemical reactions, and physical examinations, all of which are applied. Regarding treatment, traditional Chinese medicine excels in internal medicine, while Western medicine excels in surgery. The reason traditional Chinese medicine has been abandoned is primarily due to the lack of development in surgery and the absence of equipment. In the future, in addition to using internal medicines like pills and powders, traditional Chinese medicine should utilize instruments such as electrical devices, acupuncture needles, injections, surgical tools, washings, and physical therapies like sun lamps, ultraviolet rays, catheters, and gastric lavage devices. By utilizing Western instruments, traditional Chinese medicine can be greatly improved.［9］
It is evident from the above discussion that Dr. Shi Yiren’s arguments have laid the foundation for the combined clinical research of Chinese and Western medicine. The current state of integration between Chinese and Western medicine further validates Dr. Shi Yiren’s statement that “only sincere cooperation and mutual assistance between Chinese and Western medicine, striving for progress together, can achieve unity and is the only way to save the Chinese medical community at that time,” it is true, and it cannot but be said to be a wise opinion!
5. The socialization and politicization of disease prevention:
Prevention is particularly important in medicine. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. In the case of epidemic diseases, preventing them before they happen is relatively easy, while treating the disease after it has occurred will make the symptoms more difficult. This is the way of prevention, a real guarantee of health, and key to becoming ill. The ancients were said to be able to cure diseases without treatment, which is a clear proof that they paid great attention to preventative care in ancient times.
The conditions for preventing diseases in ancient medicine included: not overworking or resting too much, being cautious with diet, maintaining strict daily routines, adjusting to seasonal changes, reducing mental stresses, and abstaining from excessive drinking and indulgence in sensual pleasures. These were immutable laws from antiquity. It is unfortunate that there are no specific books or detailed explanations on this subject, which is a major gap in the Chinese medical literature. Since the discovery of bacteriology, prevention has focused on disinfection and hygiene, with cleanliness being emphasized. Therefore, advanced countries in Europe and America place great emphasis on water purification, food inspection, hygienic construction, lighting arrangements, preventive inoculations, infectious disease isolation, and other medical practices. On the other hand, China lacks specific guidelines, and does not pay much attention to prevention. Hence, phlegm and saliva are all over the ground, feces and urine are everywhere, filth and dirt accumulating, and the sharing of eating utensils and living quarters. The country lacks epidemic prevention policies, the people lack prevention awareness, and medicine lacks isolation techniques – these shortcomings need no concealment. Therefore, it is advisable to compile ideas regarding disease prevention and ensure that the public has the knowledge it needs to implement those practices. Without political oversight, it is difficult to achieve results. The way to prevent disease is to preserve one’s mental hygiene, but physical hygiene cannot be ignored. Measures to prevent bacterial transmission should be applied to individuals, families, cities, villages, factories, schools, shopping centers, theaters, and other public places. Matters such as maternal health care, infectious disease prevention, disease isolation, preventive inoculations, physical examinations, and health education should be integrated into daily life, and published in specialized texts for implementation. This approach can address the shortcomings in medicine and benefit the public.［9］
In 1928, when Dr. Shi Yiren was teaching in Shanghai, he specialized in teaching about approaches to ancient and modern epidemics. He felt that the externally contracted diseases and illnesses related to the four seasons “have never been listed in specialist literature in the past. They may have been appended to the miscellaneous patterns described in internal medicine texts, appended to cold damage discussions in ancient books, or treated by contemporary formula or by Yi Tian Shi School［14］. He carefully studied the academic thoughts and experiences of various schools from the “Nei Jing” and “Treatise on Warm Diseases”, especially the “Warm Disease School” of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and, combined with a large amount of clinical practice, he had the courage to explore and integrate non-infectious diseases and syndromes of cold damage and warm diseases, and created a new proposition of “seasonal disease”. Combining cold damage and warm diseases in one crucible became a milestone in his academic thought, which he compiled in 1930 and published as “Chinese Seasonal Diseases”, to sort out the disputes between doctors of past dynasties regarding the differences between cold damage and warm diseases. In order to make up for the shortcomings of “Chinese Epidemiology of Seasonal Diseases”, he edited and published China’s first monograph on TCM treatment of infectious diseases, “Chinese Epidemiology of Acute Infectious Diseases” in 1933. As he said: “In 1922, Yu advocated the need for an independent specialty in infectious diseases, which should be compiled into a special book as soon as possible. It can be used as a reference material for traditional Chinese medicine in epidemic prevention work and diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The previous generations of doctors have paid considerable attention and examined methods of diagnosing and treating infectious diseases, and the legacy of ancient history has been clarified with modern scientific theories and combined with modern science to achieve the goal of ‘scientific Chinese medicine’. ”［15］After that, he also edited and published “Chinese Infectious Diseases”, “China’s Infectious Disease Prevention Law”, etc., which laid the foundation for the systematic study of infectious diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. The current global COVD-19 pandemic has further verified Dr. Shi Yiren’s foresight.
Dr. Shi Yiren also concluded: “In general, the above five points are based on facts and must be implemented in order to prepare for the revitalization of traditional Chinese medicine. Some may argue that the situation is as it is, and the ideal is too high and difficult to achieve. Just look at the eighteenth century in Western medicine, the theory of humoral medicine flourished for a while, and it was exactly the same as the Yin and Yang and the Five Elements in the ancient Chinese medicine books. However, after numerous debates, they decisively abandoned the path of inductive science, in today, this is not coincidence. It is necessary to catch up and improve, not to cling to old theories, not to blindly follow new learning, but to use scientific methods to review past mistakes, adopt current strengths, and seek to create a third form of medicine.” Some argue that the brilliance of traditional Chinese medicine lies in its non-scientific aspects, such as the principles of qi transformation, the circulation of Qi and Blood, Differentiation of Syndrome. But, in Opposite, those are all unique features for remarkable effectiveness in treating diseases by Chinese medicine. However, in terms of theory, it lacks organization, is chaotic and filled with empty talk, relies on borrowed terminology, and produces repetitive content that is nauseating to read. If it does not align with global trends, its theories lack systematization, experiences are scattered, medications are not verified, treatments are not improved, and prevention is not widespread.” Indeed, the real fear is not being abandoned, but being abandoned yourself. Others suggest that if traditional Chinese medicine is not scientific, it will be abolished; however, even after becoming scientific, it may still face abolition. This view seems reasonable because traditional Chinese medicine, without scientific improvement, presents complex theories, scattered experiences, lacks systematization, and once it becomes scientific, it may be assimilated by Western medicine. “Therefore, the reform of medicine must go hand in hand with the improvement of pharmacology, not only to safeguard the lives of Chinese people, but also to be adopted by the world’s medicine, making Eastern civilization shine.”［9］
In summary, Dr. Shi Yiren’s long-term clinical practice and systematic study on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, showed he had a broad vision and far-sightedness. His academic thoughts should be considered the precursor to the integration of various clinical disciplines in modern Chinese and Western medicine. His forward-looking approach to traditional Chinese medicine research, coupled with his aspirations for reform and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, continues to inspire the formulation of healthcare policies in China today. His insights remain valuable and are worth considering in the context of deepening the reform of traditional Chinese medicine. We believe that with the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the hard work of TCM practitioners, the long-cherished wish to revitalize TCM will surely come true.
References
［1］ Zhang Boli 《The Essence of Academic Thoughts on the Establishment of Famous Doctors of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences》 People’s Medical Publishing House 2020-02-01
［2］ Shi Zhensheng 《Shimen Medical Review》 China Medical Science and Technology Press, first edition, June 1994
［3］ Shi Yiren 《What I Want to Say》 Fuxing Chinese Medicine, 1940, Volume 1, Issue 1
［4］ Shi Yiren《On the Purpose, Gains and Losses of Traditional Chinese Medicine Writers in the Past》
［5］ Zhang Zanchen 《A Brief History of President Shi》 Revival of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the first issue of 1940 was published in January 29th of the Republic of China.
［6］ Shi Yiren《Declaration of the Romance of Medicine》 in《Transactions of Shaoxing Medical Journal》 1919
［7］ Wang Mimi 《Shi Yiren Medical Essays》 Xueyuan Press 2011-08-01
［8］ Shi Yiren 《On Improving Traditional Chinese Medicine》 Shanxi, Medical Journal, 1933, Issue 70
［9］ Shi Yiren 《Basic Conditions for the Revival of Traditional Chinese Medicine》 Fuxing Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1940, Volume 1, Issue 1
［10］ Shi Yiren《Collaboration of the Academic Standings of Traditional Chinese Medicine》Ziqiang Medical Monthly, 1940
［11］ Shi Yiren 《Instructing students on the method of studying medical books》 Renaissance Chinese Medicine, 1940, Volume 1, Issue 6
［12］ Shi Yiren ［Introduction］ Shanxi 《Medical Journal》1934, Issue 76
［13］ Shi Yiren《Improving Traditional Chinese Medicine and Manufacturing Traditional Chinese Medicine》 Shanxi Medical Journal, 1933, Issue 71
［14］ Shi Yiren 《Preface to Seasonal Diseases》 Medical Journal, 1934, Issue 80
［15］ Shi Yiren 《Chinese Acute Infectious Diseases》 Shanxi: Chinese Medicine Improvement Research Association, 1933, pages 1 to 5
Author information:
Liu HongWei American Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
