This book is a new translation and annotated guide to the text and clinical applications of Zhang Zhong-Jing\u0092s Discussion of Cold Damage (Sh\u00e4ng h\u00e1n l\u00f9n), which since the 3rd century has been the most important classical reference for treating externally-contracted diseases in traditional East Asian medicine. The core of the book are translations of the 398 main paragraphs of the Song dynasty edition (11th century), which covers t\u00e0i y\u00e1ng, y\u00e1ng m\u00edng, sh\u00e0o y\u00e1ng, t\u00e0i y\u00efn, sh\u00e0o y\u00efn, ju\u00e9 y\u00efn as well as sudden turmoil, yin-yang exchange, and relapse after recovery due to consumption.<\/p>\n
Each entry begins with the original text of the paragraph in Chinese and its translation. This is followed by an explanation of the text and its significance, touching upon the specific clinical relevance of the passage as well as background issues. For paragraphs that include herbal formulas, the original Chinese is presented together with a translation and brief explanation of the composition. Methods of preparation, both original and modern, are included.<\/p>\n
A distinguishing feature of this book are the commentaries that are provided for each paragraph, selected from amongst the most respected scholar-practitioners on the Discussion of Cold Damage during the past thousand years. The reader is thereby given direct access to how prominent physicians have interacted with this text in the past, illuminating some of the more practical approaches to it. Carefully selected case histories are appended to relevant paragraphs to help the reader gain insight into the clinical utility of the formulas th7ey contain.<\/p>\n
Throughout the book the authors, both of whom are practitioners with many decades of experience in Chinese medicine, provide their own comments about issues raised in the text. This includes textual interpretation as well as discussion of the clinical aspects of the paragraphs.<\/p>\n
There is also a glossary, table of people noted in the text, bibliography, and full index.
\nList of Tables<\/p>\n
Naturmed\u00b4s opinion: It\u00b4is a fascinating topic. So many therapists are facing the transmission of classical texts in the daily practice. It is important to understand the theory but using it in the clinic is a different story. Great that such top specialists wrote this book!<\/em><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Introduction
\nChapter 1: Differentiating the Pulse and Symptoms of T\u00e0i Y\u00e1ng Diseases along with Treatment
\nChapter 2: Differentiating the Pulse and Symptoms of Y\u00e1ng M\u00edng Diseases along with Treatment
\nChapter 3: Differentiating the Pulse and Symptoms of Sh\u00e0o Y\u00e1ng Diseases along with Treatment
\nChapter 4: Differentiating the Pulse and Symptoms of T\u00e0i Y\u00efn Diseases along with Treatment
\nChapter 5: Differentiating the Pulse and Symptoms of Sh\u00e0o Y\u00efn Diseases along with Treatment
\nChapter 6: Differentiating the Pulse and Symptoms of Ju\u00e9 Y\u00efn Diseases along with Treatment
\nChapter 7: Differentiating the Pulse and Presentation of Sudden Turmoil Disease along with Treatment
\nChapter 8: Differentiating the Pulse and Presentation of Yin-Yang Exchange and Relapse After Recovery due to Consumption along with Treatment
\nAppendix 1: Discussion of Cold Damage Measurements Through the Ages
\nAppendix 2: Glossary
\nAppendix 3: People Noted in the Text
\nAppendix 4: Bibliography
\nEndnotes
\nIndex<\/p>\nComments on the book Discussion of Cold Damage:<\/h2>\n
\nI really don\u2019t think that the readers of The Lantern<\/i> need an explanation of why the Shang Han Lun<\/i> (Discussion of Cold Damage) is such a crucial text for Chinese medicine studies.<\/p>\n
So let\u2019s go right to the most important question for a book review: How does this translation compare to the several that are already out?<\/p>\n
Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage<\/i> by Craig Mitchell, Feng Ye, and Nigel Wiseman<\/b><\/p>\n
The Mitchell-Feng-Wiseman Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage<\/i> is fabulous for learning the language of the Shang Han Lun<\/i>, including pinyin with tones and characters for each passage, and explanations of the nuances of various technical terms that are important for Shang Han Lun<\/i> studies. But the attention to language–which I hasten to say is highly valuable for the Shang Han Lun<\/i> literature in English as a whole–can tend to obscure the immediate clinical application of each clause.<\/p>\n
Shang Han Lun Explained<\/i> by Greta Young and Robin Marchment<\/b><\/p>\n
Young and Marchment\u2019s Shang Han Lun Explained <\/i>is great on content, clinically handy and concise and includes case histories, but is heavily pinyin oriented. This is perfect for Australia where pinyin is the standard for both teaching and prescription guidelines, but may be somewhat off-putting elsewhere. Too, the book layout in Shang Han Lun Explained<\/i> is rather cramped and dense, whereas the Eastland book layout and design is, as usual, a delight and makes reading a pleasure.<\/p>\n
Simple differences in word choice can make the difference between easy comprehension and confusion that brings the reader up short, wondering Huh?<\/i><\/p>\n
As a small example, chosen at random from Young and Marchment\u2019s text, paragraph 238 starts off: \u201cYang Ming disease, there is purgation, if there is anguish and vexation \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bensky translation is more clear: \u201cFor y\u00e1ng m\u00edng<\/i> diseases that have been purged, if there is anguish and vexation \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Again, Shang Han Lun Explained <\/i>describes the traditional dosages, but does not explain until an appendix at the end what may be meant by \u201cliang\u201d or \u201csheng.\u201d The cooking method does explain that \u201cone dou\u201d is \u201c(2L)\u201d and \u201c2 sheng\u201d is (400 mL), but it is inconsistent and the reader is often left having to stop reading and run some simple math through her head to get the complete directions. Discussion of Cold Damage: with commentaries for the clinic <\/i>avoids this by clearly writing out both the traditional dosages (ie liang<\/i> or sheng<\/i>) but also describes the process in modern measurements.<\/p>\n
Discussion of Cold Damage<\/i> by Guohui Liu and Henry McCann<\/b><\/p>\n
Guohui Liu and Henry McCann\u2019s Discussion of Cold Damage <\/i>is the scholar\u2019s dream, going into great depth on almost every possible point. This true wealth of detail can however tend to overwhelm the most clinically important issues. This pitfall is avoided in the Eastland book. For example, Liu\u2019s book goes into seven pages of detail on Clause 100, paying especial attention to the question regarding the meaning of \u201cyang pulse\u201d and \u201cyin pulse.\u201d The Eastland book, true to its principle of adhering to the consensus of the commentators of the last thousand years, translates it as floating and deep pulse and allows the commentators to make the case for this choice.<\/p>\n
Verdict<\/b><\/p>\n
In short, the Ma and Bensky Discussion of Cold Damage with Commentaries for the Clinic<\/i> is excellent for actual clinical use. It cuts right to the chase, with everything aimed at clarity to help you understand and employ the Shang Han Lun<\/i> as you are dealing with patients.<\/p>\n
In fact, I have already adopted this as my go-to reference text for Shang Han Lun<\/i>, despite having numerous Chinese editions and all the other English translations mentioned here.<\/p>\n
It is easy to read, and easy to take in, and the eye is allowed to go where it needs in a text that is complex by its nature. The characters for each classical paragraph appear, but the pinyin is not, which has the effect of making the text much less cluttered.<\/p>\n
The translation follows, and in some cases an alternate translation where there are questions about exactly what this two thousand year old text was saying. This is relatively rare, however. Again, notes on translation choices appear where such a choice affects the whole text, such as paragraph nine which is the first place in which the term j\u012bng<\/i> (\u7d93<\/span>, here translated as \u201cwarp\u201d as in \u201cwarp and weft\u201d) appears. Appendix two also has a useful glossary of other terms that need explanation.<\/p>\n
The paragraphs of the classic are in the order of Song dynasty text, which is not the case the Shang Han Lun Explained<\/i> or the Mitchell-Feng-Wiseman Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage<\/i>. This may not matter to a lot of readers, but experts such as Liu Duzhou have recommended that part of one\u2019s investigations into the Shang Han Lun<\/i> should be to think about the order of the paragraphs and what Zhang Zhongjing, that master of compressed meaning, may have been trying to convey underneath the words, so to speak.<\/p>\n
Also there are real clinical gems based on deep experience found at least every few pages that make a careful reading of the text invaluable. For example, in the discussion of how to use Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)<\/i>, besides the use of congee or other hot cereal, it says:<\/p>\n
In addition, the patient should be encouraged to close their eyes and rest. As noted in chapter 76 of Divine Pivot<\/i> and elaborated upon in the nineteenth century work Bases of Medicine<\/i> (\u91ab\u539f<\/span> Y\u012b yu\u00e1n<\/i>), the eyes are an important route for protective qi to enter and leave the body. This not only affects the process of sleep, but just closing the eyes keeps the protective qi inside and facilitates its harmonization with the nutritive. This applies to any treatment for colds and flus, not just those treated by this formula, because closing the eyes for a few hours or through the night often helps to promote a therapeutic sweat.<\/p>\n
The depth of clinical experience by the authors shows through here. Another example is the extremely interesting discussion of Jueyin<\/i> disorders, which is too lengthy to include here, but well worth reading.<\/p>\n
Facing the inevitable difficulties in such an old text, common-sense solutions are found by Ma and Bensky that are based on a thousand years of interaction with the text by deeply experienced clinicians, so that we benefit not only from the original classic, but from lifetime after lifetime of those who used the text everyday as they faced patients.<\/p>\n
Here is an example of an almost Gordian-knot level difficulty:<\/p>\n
One of the more frustrating controversies surrounding Discussion of Cold Damage<\/i> relates to dosage. This has been a hot topic recently, especially in mainland China. Our position is that for at least the last 500 years, the vast majority of practitioners in China have used the conventional conversion of dosages given in the following table. This means that almost all the experience that we have access to has relied on this general range of dosage and so we should, in general, follow it. Table 1-3 gives the conversion commonly used in schools and colleges of traditional medicine in China today. For more detail, see Appendix 1: Measurements.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, there are numerous tables that actually clarify the topic under discussion, such as differentiating true and false heat, tables that differentiate related formulas with clinically similar presentations, or that differentiate potentially confusing symptom presentations (eg a comparison of organ clumping, clumping in the chest, focal distention and suspended thin mucus) and even one differentiating the eleven different types of focal distention and linking them to the treatment principles and formulas used for each, and, importantly, the various inversion disorders, how to differentiate, and how to treat them.<\/p>\n
Some of the other translations also include case histories, but this book has the advantage of Dan Bensky\u2019s experience and acumen as well as Ma Shouchun\u2019s almost 40+ years of clinical practice and his own cases.<\/p>\n
I do,<\/span> however,<\/span> have one bone to pick with this otherwise excellent clinical text:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis book is not a formulary. As such our explanations of the formulas are concise and provide only the bare minimum of information necessary to understand how the formulas are put together, as a basis for how to use them in clinic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ok. But while I expected to find, as usual with Eastland Press books, a list of formula names only using the Eastland Press translation (instead of a pinyin list in case one cannot guess how the name might have been translated) what I did not expect was to find no list of formulas at all!<\/p>\n
Yes, you can look them up in the index, but again only in Eastland translation. You won\u2019t find, for example \u201cGui Zhi Tang<\/i>\u201d in the index, you have to search for \u201cCinnamon Twig Decoction.\u201d Easy enough in this case. But what if you want to find the original Shang Han Lun<\/i> clause for the use of Da Xian Xiong Tang<\/i>? \u201cMajor\u201d one could guess, but \u201cxian xiong<\/i>\u201d? You are reduced to looking up \u201cmajor\u201d in the index, then paging through to find \u201cMajor Decoction for Pathogens Stuck in the Chest.\u201d<\/p>\n
A couple of extra pages with both<\/i> English and pinyin formula names, and the related clause number, would be very welcome in the next edition.<\/p>\n
This however is only a minor sour note in an otherwise angelic choir.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n
STEVE CLAVEY, THE LANTERN:<\/p>\n
I really don\u2019t think that the readers of The Lantern<\/i> need an explanation of why the Shang Han Lun<\/i> (Discussion of Cold Damage) is such a crucial text for Chinese medicine studies.<\/p>\n
So let\u2019s go right to the most important question for a book review: How does this translation compare to the several that are already out?<\/p>\n
Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage<\/i> by Craig Mitchell, Feng Ye, and Nigel Wiseman<\/b><\/p>\n
The Mitchell-Feng-Wiseman Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage<\/i> is fabulous for learning the language of the Shang Han Lun<\/i>, including pinyin with tones and characters for each passage, and explanations of the nuances of various technical terms that are important for Shang Han Lun<\/i> studies. But the attention to language–which I hasten to say is highly valuable for the Shang Han Lun<\/i> literature in English as a whole–can tend to obscure the immediate clinical application of each clause.<\/p>\n
Shang Han Lun Explained<\/i> by Greta Young and Robin Marchment<\/b><\/p>\n
Young and Marchment\u2019s Shang Han Lun Explained <\/i>is great on content, clinically handy and concise and includes case histories, but is heavily pinyin oriented. This is perfect for Australia where pinyin is the standard for both teaching and prescription guidelines, but may be somewhat off-putting elsewhere. Too, the book layout in Shang Han Lun Explained<\/i> is rather cramped and dense, whereas the Eastland book layout and design is, as usual, a delight and makes reading a pleasure.<\/p>\n
Simple differences in word choice can make the difference between easy comprehension and confusion that brings the reader up short, wondering Huh?<\/i><\/p>\n
As a small example, chosen at random from Young and Marchment\u2019s text, paragraph 238 starts off: \u201cYang Ming disease, there is purgation, if there is anguish and vexation \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The Bensky translation is more clear: \u201cFor y\u00e1ng m\u00edng<\/i> diseases that have been purged, if there is anguish and vexation \u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Again, Shang Han Lun Explained <\/i>describes the traditional dosages, but does not explain until an appendix at the end what may be meant by \u201cliang\u201d or \u201csheng.\u201d The cooking method does explain that \u201cone dou\u201d is \u201c(2L)\u201d and \u201c2 sheng\u201d is (400 mL), but it is inconsistent and the reader is often left having to stop reading and run some simple math through her head to get the complete directions. Discussion of Cold Damage: with commentaries for the clinic <\/i>avoids this by clearly writing out both the traditional dosages (ie liang<\/i>or sheng<\/i>) but also describes the process in modern measurements.<\/p>\n
Discussion of Cold Damage<\/i> by Guohui Liu and Henry McCann<\/b><\/p>\n
Guohui Liu and Henry McCann\u2019s Discussion of Cold Damage <\/i>is the scholar\u2019s dream, going into great depth on almost every possible point. This true wealth of detail can however tend to overwhelm the most clinically important issues. This pitfall is avoided in the Eastland book. For example, Liu\u2019s book goes into seven pages of detail on Clause 100, paying especial attention to the question regarding the meaning of \u201cyang pulse\u201d and \u201cyin pulse.\u201d The Eastland book, true to its principle of adhering to the consensus of the commentators of the last thousand years, translates it as floating and deep pulse and allows the commentators to make the case for this choice.<\/p>\n
Verdict<\/b><\/p>\n
In short, the Ma and Bensky Discussion of Cold Damage with Commentaries for the Clinic<\/i> is excellent for actual clinical use. It cuts right to the chase, with everything aimed at clarity to help you understand and employ the Shang Han Lun<\/i> as you are dealing with patients.<\/p>\n
In fact, I have already adopted this as my go-to reference text for Shang Han Lun<\/i>, despite having numerous Chinese editions and all the other English translations mentioned here.<\/p>\n
It is easy to read, and easy to take in, and the eye is allowed to go where it needs in a text that is complex by its nature. The characters for each classical paragraph appear, but the pinyin is not, which has the effect of making the text much less cluttered.<\/p>\n
The translation follows, and in some cases an alternate translation where there are questions about exactly what this two thousand year old text was saying. This is relatively rare, however. Again, notes on translation choices appear where such a choice affects the whole text, such as paragraph nine which is the first place in which the term j\u012bng<\/i> (\u7d93<\/span>, here translated as \u201cwarp\u201d as in \u201cwarp and weft\u201d) appears. Appendix two also has a useful glossary of other terms that need explanation.<\/p>\n
The paragraphs of the classic are in the order of Song dynasty text, which is not the case the Shang Han Lun Explained<\/i> or the Mitchell-Feng-Wiseman Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage<\/i>. This may not matter to a lot of readers, but experts such as Liu Duzhou have recommended that part of one\u2019s investigations into the Shang Han Lun<\/i> should be to think about the order of the paragraphs and what Zhang Zhongjing, that master of compressed meaning, may have been trying to convey underneath the words, so to speak.<\/p>\n
Also there are real clinical gems based on deep experience found at least every few pages that make a careful reading of the text invaluable. For example, in the discussion of how to use Gui Zhi Tang (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)<\/i>, besides the use of congee or other hot cereal, it says:<\/p>\n
In addition, the patient should be encouraged to close their eyes and rest. As noted in chapter 76 of Divine Pivot<\/i> and elaborated upon in the nineteenth century work Bases of Medicine<\/i> (\u91ab\u539f<\/span> Y\u012b yu\u00e1n<\/i>), the eyes are an important route for protective qi to enter and leave the body. This not only affects the process of sleep, but just closing the eyes keeps the protective qi inside and facilitates its harmonization with the nutritive. This applies to any treatment for colds and flus, not just those treated by this formula, because closing the eyes for a few hours or through the night often helps to promote a therapeutic sweat.<\/p>\n
The depth of clinical experience by the authors shows through here. Another example is the extremely interesting discussion of Jueyin<\/i> disorders, which is too lengthy to include here, but well worth reading.<\/p>\n
Facing the inevitable difficulties in such an old text, common-sense solutions are found by Ma and Bensky that are based on a thousand years of interaction with the text by deeply experienced clinicians, so that we benefit not only from the original classic, but from lifetime after lifetime of those who used the text everyday as they faced patients.<\/p>\n
Here is an example of an almost Gordian-knot level difficulty:<\/p>\n
One of the more frustrating controversies surrounding Discussion of Cold Damage<\/i> relates to dosage. This has been a hot topic recently, especially in mainland China. Our position is that for at least the last 500 years, the vast majority of practitioners in China have used the conventional conversion of dosages given in the following table. This means that almost all the experience that we have access to has relied on this general range of dosage and so we should, in general, follow it. Table 1-3 gives the conversion commonly used in schools and colleges of traditional medicine in China today. For more detail, see Appendix 1: Measurements.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, there are numerous tables that actually clarify the topic under discussion, such as differentiating true and false heat, tables that differentiate related formulas with clinically similar presentations, or that differentiate potentially confusing symptom presentations (eg a comparison of organ clumping, clumping in the chest, focal distention and suspended thin mucus) and even one differentiating the eleven different types of focal distention and linking them to the treatment principles and formulas used for each, and, importantly, the various inversion disorders, how to differentiate, and how to treat them.<\/p>\n
Some of the other translations also include case histories, but this book has the advantage of Dan Bensky\u2019s experience and acumen as well as Ma Shouchun\u2019s almost 40+ years of clinical practice and his own cases.<\/p>\n
I do,<\/span> however,<\/span> have one bone to pick with this otherwise excellent clinical text:<\/p>\n
\u201cThis book is not a formulary. As such our explanations of the formulas are concise and provide only the bare minimum of information necessary to understand how the formulas are put together, as a basis for how to use them in clinic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ok. But while I expected to find, as usual with Eastland Press books, a list of formula names only using the Eastland Press translation (instead of a pinyin list in case one cannot guess how the name might have been translated) what I did not expect was to find no list of formulas at all!<\/p>\n
Yes, you can look them up in the index, but again only in Eastland translation. You won\u2019t find, for example \u201cGui Zhi Tang<\/i>\u201d in the index, you have to search for \u201cCinnamon Twig Decoction.\u201d Easy enough in this case. But what if you want to find the original Shang Han Lun<\/i>clause for the use of Da Xian Xiong Tang<\/i>? \u201cMajor\u201d one could guess, but \u201cxian xiong<\/i>\u201d? You are reduced to looking up \u201cmajor\u201d in the index, then paging through to find \u201cMajor Decoction for Pathogens Stuck in the Chest.\u201d<\/p>\n
A couple of extra pages with both<\/i> English and pinyin formula names, and the related clause number, would be very welcome in the next edition.<\/p>\n
This however is only a minor sour note in an otherwise angelic choir.<\/p>\n
Conclusion<\/b><\/p>\n
Ma and Bensky\u2019s Discussion of Cold Damage with Commentaries for the Clinic<\/i> is the product of twenty years of careful study and thought into this crucial classical text by both authors, and it shows. Nothing is rushed, everything–again as is usual for Eastland Press–has been triple-checked and considered and put forth in a way that makes comprehension easy. It is, in fact, a delight to read and a joy to use.<\/p>\n
\u2014Steven Clavey, The Lantern<\/p>\n
“Discussion of Cold Damage\u00a0with Commentaries for the Clinic<\/i>\u00a0helps readers understand the import of this text through both insightful translation and clear explanations. In doing so, the authors present an interpretation of the text shaped by many years of clinical experience, while at the same time offering the reader the opportunity to understand other interpretations. An absolutely unique feature are the case studies for almost all of the 113 formulas. This is must-read for all who want to seriously study the\u00a0Shang Han Lun.”<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n
\u2014Michael Huber, ABZ M\u00fcnchen<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
In this book the authors provide their own comments about issues raised (interpretation and discussion) of the clinical aspects of the paragraphs of Shang han lun. Order the book here.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":391827,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[30370,30714,18441,18448,30366,18404],"class_list":{"0":"post-391839","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"book_author-bensky-d","7":"book_author-shouchun-ma","8":"product_cat-buecher-der-referenten-en","9":"product_cat-buecher-zum-kongress-en","10":"product_cat-grundlagen-der-tcm-en","11":"product_cat-shang-han-lun-wen-bing-en","12":"product_cat-tcm-congress-rothenburg-en","13":"product_cat-tcmacupuncture-books","15":"first","16":"instock","17":"taxable","18":"shipping-taxable","19":"purchasable","20":"product-type-simple"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/391839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=391839"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/391827"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=391839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=391839"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturmed.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=391839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}