by Paul Unschuld

In the first comprehensive and analytical study of therapeutic concepts and practices in China, Paul Unschuld traces the history of documented health care from its earliest extant records to present developments.

 

"Unschuld successfully weaves the evolution of medical ideas with the prevalent socio-political events of the past three and one-half millennia. . . . The reward is immense."--Peter Kong-ming New, Medical Anthropology

"Paul Unschuld's massive erudition lies at the service of relativism. His main aim is to explain the history of Chinese medical theories by locating them within successive broader paradigms of belief--demonological, Confucian, Taoist, Buddhist, Marxist--each of which he anchors in turn within the line of dynasties from the Shang and Chou empires up to the Gang of Four. . . . Undeniably valuable . . . is his emphasis on how each new wave of Chinese medical theory ended up by complementing the preceding corpus of ideas."--Roy Porter, Times Literary Supplement

"Paul Unschuld has accomplished monumental labours of translation and annotation. He has a fine historical sense . . . and a colourful and easy style which makes these esoteric subjects more accessible."--Robert Temple, Nature