Research On The Theoretical System Of TCM Etiology Based On Framework Theory

Objective:This study analyzes the leading thoughts of the concept of etiology and the theoretical system by TCM schools in various periods through examining the framework of the theoretical system of TCM etiology in each historical period.On this basis,the similarities and differences between the construction of the etiology concepts and theoretical systems in each period were compared,and the characteristics and internal causes of the formation and changes of the connotation of the etiology theory were combed.Methods:The existing literature,current teaching materials and books were collected from ancient to modern,and the following methods were used to process and analyze the literature.1.Historical research methods:the major keywords of "pathogen","pathogenic qi","cause","source","source of the disease"," etiology ",six pathogenic factors(using cold as an example),seven emotions(taking anger as an example),diet,injury caused by overexertion(work fatigue),trauma,insect beasts,phlegm-rheum,and blood stasis were used to examine the formation,statement methods,the connotation of concepts,and the relationship between concepts of etiology in medical writings at different times.In the intricate history,the historical clues of the change of the etiology theoretical system were sorted out,which was the vertical research perspective.2.Contrastive research method:the frameworks of the etiology theoretical system in different historical periods were combed and compared to find out the changes of the etiology system framework in each period and the reasons for their changes.3.In the two methods of logical thinking,content analysis and interpretation were used to achieve concrete realization.Results:This study found that the historical evolution of the etiology theory system could be divided into four major stages,namely,the connotation of TCM etiology theory was expressed in the form of "pathogenic qi or healthy qi","source and stream","cause and effect",and "pathogenic factors".The expression of the theoretical connotation of TCM etiology in the form of"pathogenic qi or healthy qi" mainly focused on the period from the pre-Qin to the Eastern Han Dynasty.The connotation of the etiology was based on the "pathogenic qi and healthy qi view" with the main connotations of "pathogen" and "pathogenic qi" and represent attentions to the concept of integration of nature and human beings.It included two parts of etiology and pathogenesis.It constituted the main categories of wind,cold,summerheat,dampness,dryness and fire,joy,anger,anxiety,thought,sorrow,fear and fright,diet and injury caused by overexertion.And the pathogenesis was mainly represented based on changes in the movement of qi.Classification method was mainly classified according to the yin and yang theory and five elements theory.The expression of the theoretical connotation of TCM etiology in the form of "source and stream" was mainly in the period from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the pre-Song period.The connotation of the etiology was based on the "o source and stream view" and took "the source of disease" as the main connotation,and represented the development of the disease.It included the etiology and pathogenesis two parts.It inherited the main category of the etiology of the Qin and Han dynasties at the same time,was in continuous fine development,and the system classification was not involved.From the analysis of the relationship between the function and the parts of zang-fu organs,etiology gradually developed to discussion model of zang-fu organs attribution.Meanwhile,the combination of zang-fu organs and deficiency and excess,cold and heat were appeared.The classification was according to the five elements of zang-fu organs.The expression of the theoretical connotation of TCM etiology in the form of "cause and effect" was mainly in the Song,Ming and Qing Dynasties.The connotation of the etiology was based on the "cause and effect view" and took "the etiology" as the main connotation,representing the original cause of disease and the analysis of disease from cause to effect.It included both the cause and the pathogenesis,and it did not further expand the category of the cause,but inherited the category of the etiology of the Qin and Han dynasties.At the same time,it reclassified and experienced the evolution from the "theory of three types of disease causes" to "external contraction" and "internal damage".The pathogenesis theory developed further and began to explore the common pathogenesis of the same diseases and the combination of zang-fu organs and yin and yang,qi and blood,deficiency and excess,and cold and heat.The expression of the theoretical connotation of TCM etiology in the form of"pathogenic factors" was mainly in the period from the Republic of China to the modern period.The connotation of the etiology was absorbing the western conceptual thinking,which was equivalent to the "pathogenic factors" of Western medicine,representing more attentions to specific factors that can be perceived;Up to the current version 6 textbooks,the etiology and pathogenesis theory were completely independent.Their categories were following the classification of external contraction and internal damage at the time of the Song,Ming and Qing Dynasties,and the pathological etiological factors such as phlegm,blood stasis,and calculus,as well as the causes of congenital physique,forming external contraction,and internal damage others three categories.Pathogenesis theory formed the main analysis model of zang-fu organs and yin and yang,exterior and interior,cold and heat,deficiency and excess,while introducing the pathological characteristics of the anatomical basis of Western medicine.Conclusion:The evolutionary characteristics of TCM etiology theory system are limited-broaden-limited,and ambiguity and slowness.Its core category has not changed greatly,but the relationship between categories,theoretical connotation and theoretical focus have changed.These changes are mainly related to the drive of the ideological and cultural system,the role of physicians,and clinical practice.The ideological and cultural system has been changed by the change of the dominant way of thinking(Heaven Human Cosmology-Root Theory-Ontology).Significance:This study elaborates in detail the evolution and development of the etiology connotation,the etiology theory system and its leading ideology,and analyzes the internal causes of this evolution and development.Through combing the changes in the system,the changing characteristics of the etiology theory system was summarized,and the confusion in the current TCM theoretical body is the result of the crossover of different modes of thinking.TCM classics are the benchmarks of the core concepts of TCM,and the premise for the development is to recognize the history.It is not only the knowledge and skills that need to be passed down,but the inheritance of its core guiding ideas is also crucial.Maybe we cannot restore history,but we also need to be close to history.This not only has important significance for the development of TCM etiology theory system,but also has an important guiding role in TCM education and TCM inheritance.