Two expert research practitioners from Shanghai explicate an integrated view of tongue diagnosis. During their thirty years of TCM practice, the authors have adapted research methods to the study of traditional Chinese tongue diagnosis. The intent of this research is to objectify tongue diagnosis by bringing Western scientific approaches to bear on the terminology of TCM. Following an introduction that includes a discussion of the history of tongue diagnosis and its clinical value, the authors explain their investigation methods. These range from electron microscopy to massive epidemiological surveys.

There are 24 full-color pages featuring 103 tongue photographs that establish a visual baseline for the important labels used in the text (e.g. swollen tongue). In the clinical sections of the text the authors detail case studies, methods, and clinical observations. The final chapter of this section concerns pathological features of tongue coatings. Of value clinically, this information also gives an important chance for Western practitioners to examine the integration of East and West as it is developing in China.