The Legend of Hua Tuo
China's First Surgeon

Hua Tuo, the famous doctor of the Han Dynasty is said to have dedicated his life to the study of medicine after witnessing much suffering and death from epidemic disease, famine and war. Hua Tuo lived in good health for 97 years, and was therefore regarded as a divine physician throughout history. He studied medicine, astronomy, geography, literature, history, and agriculture in his youth. He became an expert in acupuncture, herbology, gynecology, pediatrics, and is considered the first surgeon in China. He developed such advances in science such as abdominal surgery, acupuncture anesthesia, and discovered new acupuncture points. He also created Qi Gong exercises to improve health, known as Daoyin. They were based on five animals: deer, bear, tiger, ape, and crane.

There are many stories associated with Hua Tuo, but perhaps the two most famous include the heroic general Guan Yu, and Emperor Cao Cao (pronounced "tsao tsao").

The first legend describes General Guan Yu pierced with a poisoned arrow during battle. Hua Tuo was summoned to remove the barbed arrowhead. Hua Tuo administered herbal anesthesia and surgically removed the arrow, nearly cutting to the bone. During the procedure, General Guan Yu was playing a game of chess. This story is the subject of many artworks.

The second story involves Cao Cao, the Emperor of Wei, who commanded Hua Tuo to serve as his personal physician. Huo Tuo either showed hesitation to provide treatments, or suggested brain surgery for Cao Cao's severe headaches. Either way, the emperor became enraged and ordered the great physician put to death in 207 CE. At age 97, while imprisoned, Hua Tuo handed over his collected works called "Qing Nang Shu" to the warden and implored him to use it to help save lives and relieve suffering. The warden was fearful of deadly repercussions and refused. Sadly, many of his ancient prescriptions were lost.

The Development of Modern Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was standardized during the great changes in China during the 20th century under the changing government leadership beginning with the last remnants of the Qing Dynasty, Sun Yatsen, Chiang Kaishek, and Mao Zedong. In 1911 the Qing dynasty, the last Chinese dynasty, collapsed under the revolution of the Kuomingdang, National People's Party, lead by Sun Yatsen.

At the turn of the 19th century in China, there were major imperialist influences by foreign powers such as the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Japan, and the United States. Missionaries had been established and protected by their home countries and spread the use of Westernized medicine. During the early part of the 20th century, China endured widespread epidemics of disease, poverty, and famine. This was a period where China underwent an identity crisis with multiple internal and foreign struggles for power and control of the massive country. Some Chinese pursued the study of Western medicine and spoke out their beliefs that China needed to modernize and do away with the old traditions, including medicine. Strong opponents to traditional medicine included Yu Ai, and Wang Qizang, wrote a written proclamation to abolish all old medicine... in 1929. Their influence caused the Central Ministry of Health to pass a law prohibiting the establishment of Chinese medicine schools. Even Mao Zedong paralleled the nationalist party's view on Chinese medicine in 1942.

Though Yu Ai and Wang Qizang’s opinions had strong influence in the newly formed Kuomingdang government, there was a widespread outcry amongst the Chinese Medicine communities. They responded with heavy protests in Shanghai, March 1929, and the National Union of Associations for Chinese Medicine was formed. They declared March 17th as National TCM celebration day.

Chinese Medicine was widely popular and was used throughout China, even with the government's actions. There formed a movement to integrate Chinese Medicine with Western medicine. Leaders in this movement were Tang Zhonghai and Zhang Binglin.

After Mao Zedong gained control of China in 1949 and Chiang Kaishek fled to Taiwan with the remaining Kuomingdang, he changed his view of TCM. In 1942 he had banished all "shamanistic and superstitious beliefs" from China, including Chinese Medicine; but reversed his stance in 1953-59. At that time, Mao used TCM as a source of Chinese patriotism and pride and declared it a national treasure. This was also a way to take TCM out of the hands of time-honored lineage holders and put medicine within the authority of the communist government. Mao's politics were focused on Chinese self-reliance, national pride, and patriotism. Although dependant on Russia for Western pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, he saw TCM as something that was purely Chinese and therefore another avenue toward China's self-reliance. The Department of Chinese Medicine was established under the Ministry of Public Health. In 1958 Mao wanted to promote the fusion of Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine as part of the Great Leap Forward, establishing a movement to integrate the two under the auspices of TCM. Throughout the great changes during the 20th century, China developed a history of applying modern research methods to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbal Medicine.

TCM took another blow, as did all educational institutions during The Cultural Revolution. It was a time where old traditions were demolished. The reform movement shut down all schools; and persecuted, imprisoned, and killed many doctors, professors, academics, artists and thinkers. Many oral and literary traditions were lost through the purge. Yet, in the post-Mao, new millennium there continues to be active discourse between the practice and study of Eastern and Western Medicine in China. Many TCM institutions were reconstituted. Technological advances are currently utilized for safety and sanitation, proper identification of herbs, and good research practices. There are many hospitals that include both Eastern and Western Medical wings, where patients are treated with both modalities seamlessly. No where in the world is Eastern and Western medicine so well integrated and available to the populous, as in China.

The term Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) is a term the profession uses to include the vast information developed over thousands of years before TCM was standardized in the 20th century.

Lunar New Year
With the warm, sunny January weather in California, we can see the energy of spring coming around the corner. Right before the lunar new year (January 26th) we can start to feel bits of yang energy stir; it's inspiring, a taste of spring. Spring energy has the ability to germinate seeds from winter dormancy to break through the hard surface of the earth. But it's not quite here yet, so it's best to avoid overexertion. The sunlight hours are still short and nights are chilly enough to gather around the hearth with loved ones and enjoy the quiet together. Time is well spent in reflection of our interior workings. Sort of a spelunking tour of the mysterious caverns of our mind-body experience. It's not meant to be analytical, in fact the opposite.

2009 is the Year of the Earth Ox. In Chinese astrology it is an animal of consistency and hard work. It is the animal that pulls the plow for the rice fields, so Asia can produce it's staple grain. This type of energy can be embraced to pull us out of our own possible areas of stuck-ness. The Ox values and takes satisfaction in putting one foot in front of the other without getting too caught up in extraneous distractions. After the cerebral acrobatics of the Year of the Rat, we could use a mental chill pill with some no nonsense action. We'll pull through difficult times, and even broad ranging ideas can come to fruition. To bring balance, we must also keep our hearts flexible by engaging in activities that bring joy and creativity. Keep the Qi moving for body-mind harmony.

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