Ioannis Solos
Forewards by Professor Liang Rong and Professor Chen Jia-xu
304 pages

Two of the major texts in the history of tongue diagnosis are presented and put into context in this volume, reaffirming the strength of tongue diagnosis as a core diagnostic method. These key texts are made available to western readers for the first time, with typical, traditional Chinese editions reproduced alongside the translation. The author provides an excellent overview of the tongue diagnosis theories in the major classics prior to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and discusses significant developments and publications. The Gold Mirror Records, first published in 1341, was a popular manual for centuries, appearing in many editions and variations. Tongue Reflections in Cold Damage, first published in 1668, developed the field of diagnosis as a whole by adopting the analysis of tongue colour as its main principle. Both texts are introduced with meticulous English translations and notes.

This seminal text will give practitioners and students of Chinese medicine a sound understanding of the theory and practice of tongue diagnosis from the early texts, and will be of interest to academic readers of classic Chinese texts.

Contents

Foreword by Professor Liang Rong. Foreword by Professor Chen Jia-xu. Acknowledgements. Part I: Origins and Development of Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine. 1. Tongue Diagnosis and the Literature. 2. Ao Shi Shang Han Jin Jing Lu (Scholar Ao's The Gold Mirror Records in Cold Damage) and Shang Han She Jian (Tongue Reflections in Cold Damage). 3. The Important Advancements in Tongue Theory Prior to the Yuan Dynasty. 4. Introducing Ao Shi Shang Han Jin Jing Lu (Scholar Ao's The Gold Mirror Records in Cold Damage) and Shang Han She Jian (Tongue Reflections in Cold Damage). Part II: Translation of Scholar Ao's The Gold Mirror Records in Cold Damage. Part III: Translation of Tongue Reflections in Cold Damage. References and Further Reading. Appendix 1: Weight Standards during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Appendix 2: List of Chinese Texts Referred to in Chapter 3. Appendix 3: A Small Collection of Introductions to The Gold Mirror Records in Cold Damage. Appendix 4: The Formulae in Tongue Reflections in Cold Damage. Appendix 5: Wang Meng-Ying's Commentaries on Tongue Reflections in Cold Damage. Index.