Cavalieri S, Rotoli M
Clinica Dermatologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Recenti Prog Med. 1997 Nov;88(11):541-6.
According to the data of the recent archaeological excavations, the history of traditional Chinese medicine begins in the neolithic period (10,000-4,000 years ago). The fundamental principles of the traditional Chinese medicine may be interpreted on the basis of two classic theories of Chinese thought: the Yin-Yang theory and the five phases theory. The former stated that our reality is the product of the continuous interaction and transformation of the Yin and Yang principles. The latter recognise the existence of five emblematic groups in which everything regarding humankind and nature may be classified. The five phases interact in two different ways: the cycle of production (Sheng) and the cycle of control (Ke). Theoretical basis of traditional Chinese medicine are described on the Huangdi Neijing (The Book of Yellow Emperor's: a classic of internal medicine) written during the period 475-225 b.C. as a dialogue between the mythical Emperor Huangdi and his physician Qibo. The book is divided into two parts: the Suwen (Questions about living matter) and Lingshu (The vital axe). Each part is composed of 81 sections. In this book are set correspondences between phases and organs, viscera, feelings, body fluids, flavours, foods, colours, and so on. We can also find the description of blood (Xue) and energy (Qi) circulation and the pathways of main, collateral and curious vessels. The origins of disease are also reported on the Huangdi Neijing. As regards the psychological point of view, special attention is dedicated to dreams and their possible causes and to the description of various kind of mental illness. The unknown Authors underline the five defects and the four mistakes of the physician, pointing out the importance to avoid them. Finally, it must be mentioned their special care to the principles of preventive medicine.
根据最近考古发掘的数据，中医的历史始于新石器时代（一万至四千年前）。中医的基本原理可以基于中国思想的两个经典理论来解释：阴阳理论和五行理论。前者指出，我们的现实是阴阳原则持续相互作用和转化的产物。后者认识到存在五个标志性的类别，人类和自然界的一切都可以归类其中。五行以两种不同的方式相互作用：相生循环和相克循环。中医的理论基础在公元前475年至225年期间写成的《黄帝内经》（黄帝之书：一部内科经典）中有所描述，该书是神话中的黄帝与其医生岐伯之间的对话。这本书分为两部分：《素问》（关于生命物质的问题）和《灵枢》（生命之斧）。每部分由81篇组成。在这本书中，设定了五行与脏腑、内脏、情感、体液、味道、食物、颜色等之间的对应关系。我们还可以找到关于血液（血）和能量（气）循环以及主要经络、络脉和奇经八脉路径的描述。《黄帝内经》中也讲述了疾病的起源。从心理学角度来看，特别关注梦境及其可能的原因以及对各种精神疾病的描述。不知名的作者强调了医生的五过和四失，指出了避免它们的重要性。最后，必须提到他们对预防医学原则的特别关注。
