Study Of The Ancient TCM Disease Syndrome Classification

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) considers diseases from three aspects:Bing (disorder), Zheng (signs), Zheng (symptoms). Zheng (symptoms)indicates physical signs, describing the symptoms and signs in disease process. Zheng (signs) summarizes the nature and location of diseases in certain disease phase. Bing (disorder) summarizes the characteristics and principles in the whole process of diseases.Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) classified the diseases in Qin and Han Dynasty.《五十二病方》uses terminology containing classification of diseases. Yellow Emperor’s Cannon of Medicine uses certain terminology to describe diseases which is the basis of disease classification, such as excess and deficiency, etiologic factors, zang-fu organs, six meridians, location. Exogenous Febrile Disease and Synopsis of Golden Chamber classified diseases according to six meridians and zang-fu organs, generating paramount influence in TCM. Chao Yuan-Fang in Sui-Tang dynasty wrote Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun, Sun Si Miao wrote Qian Jin Yao Fang. Both of their works are developed from the former theories that they systemically classified diseases according to the etiologic factors and zang-fu organs, forming multiple disease classification modes. Tai Ping Sheng Hui Fang and Sheng Ji Zong Lu in Song dynasty add more reasonable disease classification in the works of Zhu Bing Yuan Hou Lun and Qian Jin Yao Fang. Doctors in Jin dynasty and Yuan dynasty focus on classification of diseases, less focus on systemic analysis. Till Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty, the outstanding represented book is Zhi Zheng Zhun Sheng, which is a comprehensive work of flexible disease classification. Zhang Shi YI Tong and Yi Bian follow its pattern. In addition, the diseases classification becomes mature with the clear and conclusive disease classification.This research dedicated specially to disease classification history, compared the method in the same era and different era. We may draw a conclusion:disease classification evolved from none to mature, from simple to comprehensive, from single-dimension to multiple-dimensions, from clutter to conclusive from Qin dynasty and Han dynasty. The disease classification are based on etiologic factor, symptoms, location, zang-fu organs, eight diagnostic principles, etiologic production, prescription, course of disease, six meridians and etc. The ancient doctors are influenced by various factors in the works of disease classification. One major reason is subjective reason: his background and theory; the other one major reason is objective reason:the era he lived in. The name of diseases indicates the situation of disease classification. Disease classification directs clinic treatments, disease prevention and prognosis. It also has significant influence in disease branch.