Shang Han Lun: On Cold Damage, Translation & Commentaries

by Zhongjing Zhang, Nigel Wiseman

The Shang Han Lun has been a primary treatment theory and practice source for nearly two millenia. Its author, Zhang Zhong Jing, has been named the "Chinese Hippocrates" to highlight the depth and breadth of his contribution to traditional Chinese drug therapy. This edition features the Chinese text, Pinyin transliteration, and an English translation of the entire Song Dynasty text, the content and textual order most used in Asia. Just as in Chinese language editions, it is fully supplemented with notes and commentaries. The notes describe the clinical symptoms Zhang Zhong Jing associated with the Chinese terms. For example, modern interpretations of a "moderate" pulse often refer to the speed of its beats. The same term, when used in the Shang Han Lun, refers to a pulse that is loose, soft, and harmonious. Such notes provide practitioners with the clinical observations necessary to properly apply the information. The commentaries further enhance the text's clinical utility by explaining the theoretical and practical foundations behind the lines of text. Because entire bodies of theory and practice can be associated with the terms and expressions used in cannonical works like the Shang Han Lun , commentaries have become a standard means of knowledge acquisition for Asian students. The commentaries in this edition serve exactly the same purpose, greatly enhancing its utility. The introductory matter explains the background of the text, the conceptual structure of its contents, and the problems of exegesis. The appendices are designed to assist those studying Chinese and the glossary and the full Pinyin-English index make this an easily accessed reference.

Genres: Traditional Chinese Medicine, Medicine, Health

800 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1999

Reviews

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The translation of this edition of the Shang Han Lun emphasizes the ambiguity of classical Chinese. Unlike other translations of this era that I have read where the author tries to make the lines clear and straightforward, Mitchell et al keep uncertainty where there is uncertainty, and only through intensive study will the reader be able to parse the information that lies within.

[Rah~ri]

I think, i might actually, at this point, Hate this book.

AHHHHHH!!!!

Why would anybody want to read this??? If they didn't have to???
and just plain "EWWW" by the way! Man.

I understand it (mostly) but the language makes me want to pull someone's hair out.
Not mine but someone's. Or maybe just shake them violently.
It's great.
I don't like it at all.
but it is interesting.

I found a podcast reading some of it, if anyone wants to hear what it's about.
Found it by accident on I tunes. Under the name ChineseMedicinetools.com.
Haven't yet checked out the website but the podcasts are nice enough.
Short and sweet. Some good info?

The flow of the Language sucks(for me). Might be better in Chinese?
Excessively circular. (Perfect considering the study.)
Yet pretty straight forward in ways I can't explain?

Do Highly recommend it.

Am Not a Student or Practitioner of Chinese Medicine!!!
So this review doesn't really mean anything at all :)

Enjoy!


****************************************
Uh, oh.
This book is other crazy cravings.
Should be interesting : )

[Eric Grey · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't say that you're studying Chinese medicine if you don't read this book, like, constantly.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book. Ok translation. I wish they would have stuck with the proper order of the lines. I also think a cross-reference to the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing would have been helpful!