伤寒证之恶寒、体痛、呕逆；中风证之恶风、发热、干呕；麻黄证之无汗而喘；桂枝证之脉弱自汗；阳明病之身热口渴，不恶寒但恶热，古代如是。今时也是如是。自从汉魏六朝，唐宋元明，清代民国，从未曾变更过。未曾见汉朝的伤寒证是恶寒、体痛，呕逆，现代的伤寒证偏偏不恶寒、不体痛、不呕逆；魏晋六朝的中风证是恶风、发热、干呕，现代的中风证偏偏不恶风、不发热、不干呕；唐宋的麻黄证是无汗而喘，现代的麻黄证偏偏不是无汗而喘；元明的桂枝证是脉弱自汗，现代的桂枝证偏偏不是脉弱自汗；清代的阳明病是身热口渴，不恶寒但恶热，现在的阳明病偏偏不是身热口渴，不是不恶寒但恶热，病情确定，亘古不变，这不是科学是什么。
惭愧我未曾受过欧洲的教育，对于科学两个字，只当做机械之学，所以我常言我们的中医，分做两派：一派是尚理论的，犹之宋儒之理学；一派是尚证据的，犹之汉儒之经学。
我们研究《伤寒论》的，就是经学之一派，此回听了潘局长的演辞，才知我向所认为经学的，就是科学，那么我的胆就壮起来了。
我并不是依仗了他人的话，壮自己的胆，就为因他人的话，能够认识科学真面目，知道我们所学所行，本来全是科学，不过干百年实行着科学，不曾享受科学的名儿罢了。
我们中医对于病，既明六经，又分三焦，六经有六经的证状，丝毫不会错误，科学之至；三焦有三焦之证状，丝毫不会错误，科学之至；并且于六经三焦中，更须辨出风寒暑湿燥火，又各有显明之证据，科学之至；对于病人分出个男女老少；对于病人起居，分出个城市乡村；对于病人的环境，分出个富贵贫贱，科学之至。
我们就为都已明白，有传统的诊察法，已能够搜寻证据，真知灼见，不必再甩试验室的设备，把人做试验品，更不必把兔儿、狗儿当做代替人类的试验品。
腹膜炎中医治法惭愧我对于欧洲医学索未研究，对于西医的病名，佶屈聱牙，宛如丈二和尚摸不着头脑，这回戈公振的死，科学诊断的西医病名，调换了八九个，究竟他的死因，是在那一个，是否八九个病齐伙儿发作，才把他弄死。
据西医说现在医界，对于腹膜炎，正无法可治，至少一百个人中，患腹膜炎的，九十九个是必死的，那么腹膜炎是个没有办法的绝症了，既然没有办法，在下就在这儿替四万万同胞请愿，请贵西医高抬贵手，不必再行开割，让我们中医来奏技吧。
据西医说，前列腺发炎，在输尿管右下部有脓水，和高度的肿，同时腹膜左右的组织也有脓，更甚的是腹腔里有更多的脓汁，又言开刀检查的结果，是腹内壁肌有水肿，腹腔有黄水，这时候，断定是腹膜炎。
以解剖所发现之情状，逆测其病证，前列腺既然发炎，输尿管右下部既有脓水，和高度的肿，则小便必然不利，腹膜左右的组织既也有脓，腹腔里既有更多的浓汁，腹内壁肌既有水肿，腹腔既有黄水，则少腹必然作胀，如果逆测不误，则在吾中医，一服五苓散可愈矣，何必张惶惊恐，大动干戈。
再有右腹角痛，身热胃呆之盲肠炎症，在吾中医一服四逆散即可解决。(此说未必。西医谓之盲肠炎，实中医之肠痈之类，仲景《金匮》用薏苡附子败酱散主之。校者注。]我一年中不知治愈多少，从未挂诸齿颊，然而在西医又要小题大做，非割不可了。
我对于西医最佩服的就是这不打自招的忠实报告。我们中医，却就可根据了他的报告，按部位定出个经络，判出个营卫气血，意测出种种病症，定出一个最稳妥的治疗法，俾病者就可以化险为夷，避凶趋吉呢，我要劝劝几位青年国人，休再以宝贵的生命供给人家做一个学术上的试验品，做个学术上试验品还不要紧，就怕做了个试验上的牺牲者，那才是冤枉，才是不值得呢。
戈公振之死戈公振先生的死，究竟是什么病。据西医报告，最初说是疟疾，后来说是盲肠炎。割治之后，又说是急性腹膜炎，又说是急性的阑尾炎，也说是一种急性盲肠的外膜炎，末后说他是败血症，等到死后解剖，又说肺部、心脏、胃部、腰以下，无一处不是病。似这种科学诊断，差不多把医书上所载各种病症。内伤外感。七情病，六淫病，脏腑经络病，都占全了，任何一种病都足以致死。况以一人之身，百病成备，真是就死已嫌迟了。西医的诊察，真是高人一等，我今日又在《新闻报》上看见一位西医，大谈戈公振的死。说他是病的无关紧要之感冒症。
西医所谓感冒症，就是我们中医之暴感风寒、风热罢了，此种病如何会死，就使不延医服药，煎一二付午时茶，吃了也会好的。多谢西医，竟会把他打针开刀，活生生的断送掉一条性命，西医连风寒、风热都不识，风寒、风热都不会治，我真替你们惶恐，替你们汗颜。好在这感冒的话，并不是我说出的，倘使是我说出，只道我有意诬害你们，坍你们的台了，现在把贵西医的记载，介绍如下。
“名记者戈公振先生，在欧西各国游历数载而归，正拟出其所得，献诸国人，不意归国未及半旬，即赍志以没，知者莫不惋惜，惟死者已矣，惜复何益，余所不得已于言者，为戈君之何以归而即病，病而何以速死也。戈君所死之病，初时人皆以为由于急性盲肠炎而续发之泛发性腹膜炎，而万不料其竞死于一般人素所视为无关紧要之感冒症也，人之所以皆信为盲肠炎者，系闻诸医师临床病历之诊断，今之确知为痛原于感冒症者，乃据戈君遗体解剖之报告，依戈君临床症状观之，确极与急性盲肠炎类似，不经尸体之病理解剖，终不知其系由溶血性链球菌之感冒而成蝶窦炎，更由蝶窦炎而发展转变成败血症，全部腹膜炎而竟至于死也，于此可见病理解剖对于医学上之重要矣。然感冒固非猛烈之恶症，患者苟有相当之抵抗力，且感冒后即图适宜之治疗，则殆不致有其他合并症或续发症之发生，更不致因败血症而致速死，惜乎，戈君以平时既心身过劳，此次又跋涉劳顿，以致抵抗力薄弱，而偶染感冒复以为小病无关，未经注意，不意其病势潜伏，乘机暴发，竟致因此而一命呜呼也，然则吾辈鉴于戈君之死，当亦知平时摄生之宜如何注意，感冒伤风之不可以小病而忽视之矣。”
西医诸公不乏好学深思之士，敢请公等虚心下气，研读我中医书，庶几于医学前途有希望也。
科学这个年头，提起科学两个字，谁不知道是最流行最台时最体面最出色的一件事，要排斥人家，不用多大的力，只消轻轻加上“非科学”三字头衔，立刻可以把你从九天跌下九渊去，永远不得翻身，你道厉害不厉害。
可惜我们这班人，没有受过欧洲教育，只道飞机、汽车、轮船、枪炮一切机器制就的东西，叫做科学，自问所学，对于机器完全不懂，于是战兢兢地自己就不敢承认是科学。
那班一知半解，自命为新中医的仁兄，偏偏干着抄袭西医病名，抄袭西医生理学、病理学各书，头脑清醒，不可一世，吃着西医的屁，神气活现，活脱似一个华文西医，也不曾把科学两字的精义，讲给我们听。
可惜我们中医，数千年来在科学中诊病写方，医愈了万万千千，千千万万的病，自己还不曾知道，你道糊涂不糊涂，科学了这许多年数，还被人家斥为不科学，可笑不可笑。
文明程度提起国家文明的程度，象北美合众国，总可以够得上文明两个字了，你看他的建筑，那么堂皇富丽，比了我们中国如何；你看他的市场，那么繁华热闹，比了我们中国如何；你看他的交通，那么四通八达，铁路如蛛网，轮船如穿梭，比了我们中国如何；海军、陆军、空军的设备，比了我们中国如何；教育的普及，大学、中学、小学，比了我们中国如何，大致美国在现今国际上，总可说不是落伍的国家了。然而我们自命为文明程度的青年所不屑挂齿的中医中药，偏偏在美国国境里其道大行，美国人士偏偏的赞美中医，信仰中药。敢是美国的省长议员其文明程度反在我们中国青年之下；果然如是，我们中国的人才，真是也了不得，那么很该为全世界第一个强国，我们的鉴别力，只知有西医，不知有中医，美国人的鉴别力，知道有西医，更知道有中医，究竟是中国人胜过了美国么？
科学与非科学科学与非科学，以什么为界限，这是一个问题，科学与非科学，以什么为标准，这又是一个问题。
诊一定之病证，知一定之经络，定出一定之治法，这就是科学。病有一定，证有一定，因病证之出入，有方药之加减，这也是科学。
知疟疾有菌[非菌也，实是疟原虫。校者。]，而不能细辨是风寒之菌，是暑湿之菌，是燥火之菌，是阳经之菌，是阴经之菌，粗疏简陋，仅不过知道此是疟菌，传自蚊子等。于阴经、阳经，风寒暑湿燥火，全不分辨，有何用处，如何可算是合乎科学？
知痢疾有菌，而不能分出那一种菌是属于寒。那一种菌是属于热，病在脏者菌作何形。
病在腑者菌作何形，寒热不分，脏腑莫辨，仅知一菌，粗疏简陋，有何用处，如何可算是合乎科学？
霍乱有寒有热，霍乱之菌，不能分也；肺病有虚有实，肺病之菌，不能分也；痉症有热有寒，有湿有风，痉症之菌，不能分也，粗疏简陋，有何用处，如何可算是合乎科学？
以我所学，惟中医之精研《伤寒》，辨认病证者，始可谓之合乎科学，吾知心平气和之学者，必许余为知言，而不以形式上设备为镌别也。
与西医商量腹膜炎疗治法西医对于腹膜炎症，无确当之疗治法。据他们自述。腹膜炎病者百人中至少要死去九十九人，今见西医张廷安君之大作，对于此症之疗治，不过是敷衍塞责。井未有十分把握。
余心热如火，不敢自秘，谨以中医对于此症稳妥疗治方法，贡献于西医诸君之前，诸君学此乖去，就可傲视侪辈，自称发明大家，博得博士头衔矣，特先将张××君原稿录下。
慢性腹膜炎原因：大多为结核性者，即结核菌侵入腹膜所生。细菌侵入门户为血管、淋巴管而入腹膜，近邻脏器有结核性疾惠，往往可蔓延及之。幼儿与青年易患，男女无关系。
2、块状或成形性腹膜炎，解剖上有纤维性渗出液，腹膜、肠胃、脾、淋巴腺在腹腔内各脏器互相愈着，且腹壁中亦起愈着，渗出液凝固后变成结缔质成块状物而如瘤状，此肿疡物称曰假性肿疡。如程度高，腹膜腔全部完全愈着一块。
3、腹水性腹膜炎，解剖后，腹膜外炎症如肋膜、心囊、类浆液膜亦生炎症，亦名浆液膜性结核。
症状：1、成形性腹膜炎(1)腹部同等膨满，脐部呈顶状。
(2)全腹壁硬固。
(3)痛少。有许多硬固之大小结节，其次为压痛而不著，自觉痛亦不著，呕反呕逆，普通亦无，大便都秘结。
2、腹水性与郁血性腹水相仿，液体多不流动，腹部触诊，如诊查则大网膜厚而紧缩，胃下部如有横肿疡然，肠间部亦以愈着性结缔组织增殖而有瘤及块状物，索状可视见(即假性肿疡)，全身热无，至于“靛蓝”反应，结核性者通常不现，肝脾肿大或缩小者，本症[有与]肋膜炎、心囊[炎]合并，或与关节炎、脑膜炎并发者，但甚少-称为结核性多发性渗液(腹]膜炎。
诊断：腹部硬固、结节易诊断。如为腹水性腹膜炎与腹水不能鉴别，可行胸廓背部精查有无肋膜炎之痕迹。有痕疑及结核性腹膜炎矣。
经过：慢性。
转归：大都不良，然比他部结核为良，常为特续性。或一时性的治愈。
疗法：注重滋养，空气新鲜，适宜运动。内服药(今已淘汰，故删。校者。)。有多量腹水者，可行穿腹术抽出。本病腹壁与肠管常愈着。行腹穿术时应注意。现时行外科手术，可治疗本病。
此症在我们中医，可以有两种疗治之法，轻者用五苓散方，重者用十枣汤方，确有把握；《伤寒论》俱在，可一查也。
中医与科学刘仲迈君《整理国医学之我见》一篇，对于中医。对于科学，说理均鞭劈入里，爽快之极，其晟精警最切当处-莫如所谓科学化者，在以现代科学之资料，以国医学会全体诊断之定理定义，证明国医之原理。凡一种学术有定理定义，具论理学演绎，归纳为程序而研究者，即为科学。非混合西说，自失故步，附会于声光化电者，乃为科学也。此种见理真确，远非一般时髦人物自命为新中医者，所得望其项背，皮贩西说，隐戤西医响牌子，不仅无耻，对于中医，对于西医，对于科学，何尝有丝毫之认识。晚近士习，好虚名而忽实务，对于学术，亦喜东抄西袭，攘为己有，而一究其实，绝无心得，新中医之所谓科学者，抄袭西医之说耳。我谓分经论治，即是科学，对症发药，即是科学，今得刘君之论，益信我言之不谬。
论咳嗽謦[音qing，读顷。]欬叫做欬。欬的样子，提起来很是怕人。肺气上而不下，逆而不收，冲击膈咽，弄得喉中淫淫如痒，习习如梗，謦欬冲喉而出，这就是欬。
欬得厉害的、他那样子，是续续不已，连连不止，坐卧都不能安，语言都不能竟，动引百骸，声闻四近，欬嗽这一症，有外感之欬，有杂病之欬，外感有风寒、风温之殊，杂病有五脏六腑之异。
**Translation of "Shi E Yi Hua" (Medical Conversations by Shi E), Chapter 11/22: Medical Theory**
The aversion to cold, body pain, and vomiting with reflux in the *Shanghan* syndrome (disease caused by cold pathogens); the aversion to wind, fever, and dry heaving in the *Zhongfeng* syndrome (wind-stroke/syndrome due to wind pathogens); the absence of sweating and wheezing in the *Mahuang* syndrome (syndrome treated with Cinnamon Twig Decoction contextually referring to Ephedra Decoction pattern); the weak pulse and spontaneous sweating in the *Guizhi* syndrome (syndrome treated with Guizhi Tang/Cinnamon Twig Decoction pattern); the body heat and thirst without aversion to cold but with aversion to heat in Yangming disease (disease of the Yangming channel/organ)—this was the case in ancient times. It remains so today. Since the Han, Wei, Six Dynasties, through Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and the Republic of China, there has never been any change. We have never seen that the *Shanghan* syndrome in the Han dynasty involved aversion to cold, body pain, and vomiting, while the modern *Shanghan* syndrome (typhoid fever) specifically lacks aversion to cold, body pain, and vomiting; nor have we seen that the *Zhongfeng* syndrome in the Wei-Jin-Six Dynasties involved aversion to wind, fever, and dry heaving, while the modern *Zhongfeng* syndrome (stroke) specifically lacks these symptoms; nor have we seen that the *Mahuang* syndrome in the Tang-Song period involved absence of sweating and wheezing, while the modern *Mahuang* syndrome specifically does not present thus; nor have we seen that the *Guizhi* syndrome in the Yuan-Ming period involved a weak pulse and spontaneous sweating, while the modern *Guizhi* syndrome specifically does not present thus; nor have we seen that the Yangming disease in the Qing dynasty involved body heat, thirst, no aversion to cold but aversion to heat, while the current Yangming disease specifically does not present thus. The condition is fixed, unchanging since antiquity. Is this not science?
I am ashamed that I have not received European education. Regarding the word "science," I only regarded it as mechanical learning. Therefore, I often say that our Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is divided into two schools: one school emphasizes theory, similar to the Neo-Confucianism of the Song Dynasty scholars; the other school emphasizes evidence, similar to the Classicist scholarship of the Han Dynasty Confucians.
We who study the *Treatise on Cold Pathogenic Diseases* (*Shanghan Lun*) belong to the latter school of Classicism. After hearing Director Pan's speech this time, I realized that what I had always considered as Classicism is actually science. Thus, my courage has grown.
I do not rely on others' words to bolster my own confidence. Rather, through their words, I can recognize the true face of science and know that what we learn and practice is inherently scientific. We have been practicing science for thousands of years but have not enjoyed the title of "science."
Our TCM practitioners, having clarified the Six Channels (Taiyang, Yangming, Shaoyang, Taiyin, Shaoyin, Jueyin) and differentiated the Triple Burner (Upper, Middle, Lower Jiao), find that each of the Six Channels has its specific symptoms, without the slightest error—this is the pinnacle of science. Similarly, the Triple Burner has its specific symptoms, without the slightest error—this is also the pinnacle of science. Furthermore, within the Six Channels and Triple Burner, one must distinguish between Wind, Cold, Summerheat, Dampness, Dryness, and Fire (the Six Evils), each having clear evidence—this is the pinnacle of science. Differentiating patients by gender and age; by urban or rural residence; by environment of wealth or poverty—all of this is the pinnacle of science.
Because we are already aware that traditional diagnostic methods allow us to gather evidence and gain profound insight, there is no need to use laboratory equipment to make humans test subjects, nor is there a need to use rabbits or dogs as substitutes for human testing.
**TCM Treatment for Peritonitis:** I have never studied European medicine. Western medical terminology is obscure and difficult to understand, leaving me like a monk trying to measure a ten-foot pole. Regarding the death of Mr. Ge Gongzhen, the scientifically diagnosed Western medical names changed eight or nine times. Which one was the actual cause of death? Did all eight or nine diseases attack simultaneously to kill him?
According to Western medicine, currently, there is no effective treatment for peritonitis. At least, out of every hundred patients, ninety-nine will die. Thus, peritonitis is an incurable terminal illness. Since there is no method, I hereby petition on behalf of the four hundred million compatriots: please, Western doctors, show mercy and refrain from surgery. Let TCM demonstrate its skills.
Western medicine states that in prostatitis, there is pus and severe swelling in the lower right part of the ureter, and pus in the tissues around the peritoneum. Worse still, there is more pus in the abdominal cavity. Surgical examination reveals edema of the inner abdominal wall muscles and yellow fluid in the abdominal cavity, leading to a diagnosis of peritonitis.
Based on anatomical findings, we can reverse-engineer the symptoms. If the prostate is inflamed, and there is pus and severe swelling in the lower right ureter, urination must be difficult. If there is pus around the peritoneum and more pus in the abdominal cavity, and edema in the inner abdominal wall muscles with yellow fluid in the cavity, the lower abdomen must be distended. If this reverse deduction is correct, then in TCM, one dose of Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Pill) could cure it. Why panic and resort to drastic measures?
Furthermore, regarding appendicitis characterized by pain in the right lower quadrant, fever, and gastric stagnation, in TCM, one dose of Sini San (Frigid Extremities Powder) can resolve it. *(Note: This statement may not be entirely accurate. What Western medicine calls appendicitis corresponds to Intestinal Abscess in TCM. Zhang Zhongjing's *Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet* treats it with Coix Seed, Aconite, and Patrinia Decoction. Editor's Note.)* I have cured countless cases in a year without mentioning them, yet Western medicine makes a fuss, insisting on surgery.
What I admire most about Western medicine is this self-incriminating honest report. Based on their reports, we TCM practitioners can determine meridians by location, judge Ying and Wei (Nutritive and Defensive Qi) and Qi and Blood, predict various symptoms, and establish the safest treatment method, allowing patients to turn danger into safety and avoid disaster. I advise young compatriots not to offer their precious lives as academic test subjects. Being a test subject is not the worst; being a sacrifice is unjust and unworthy.
**The Death of Ge Gongzhen:** What exactly was the disease that killed Mr. Ge Gongzhen? According to Western reports, it was initially said to be malaria, then appendicitis. After surgery, it was called acute peritonitis, then acute appendicitis, then acute epiperitonitis of the appendix, and finally septicemia. Post-mortem autopsy revealed pathology in the lungs, heart, stomach, and below the waist—everywhere was diseased. Such "scientific diagnosis" seems to cover every disease mentioned in medical books: internal injuries, external contractions, Seven Emotions diseases, Six Evils diseases, Zang-Fu and Meridian diseases. Any one of these can be fatal. For one person to have all hundred diseases, it is too late to even consider dying. Western diagnosis is truly superior. Today, I saw a Western doctor in the *Xinwen Bao* discussing Ge Gongzhen's death, claiming it was due to an insignificant common cold.
The Western concept of "common cold" corresponds to our TCM concepts of sudden contraction of Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. How can such a disease cause death? Even if untreated, brewing and drinking a few doses of Wushicha (Noon Tea, a herbal remedy) would cure it. Thanks to Western medicine, they injected and operated, killing a living man. Western doctors do not even recognize or treat Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat. I feel anxious and ashamed for you. Fortunately, this claim comes from Western records, not me. If I had said it, you would accuse me of defamation. Here is the record from your Western colleagues:
"The famous journalist Mr. Ge Gongzhen returned after traveling in Western countries for several years, intending to share his findings with the nation. Unexpectedly, less than half a month after returning, he died with unfulfilled ambitions. Those who knew him regretted it deeply. However, the deceased is gone, and regret is useless. My concern lies in why he fell ill immediately upon return and why he died so quickly. Initially, people believed his death resulted from generalized peritonitis secondary to acute appendicitis. No one expected him to die from a common cold, which is generally considered insignificant. People believed it was appendicitis based on clinical diagnoses. Now, knowing the pain originated from a cold, we rely on the autopsy report. Clinically, his symptoms were very similar to acute appendicitis. Without pathological autopsy, we would never have known that a hemolytic streptococcus cold led to sphenoid sinusitis, which developed into septicemia and total peritonitis, causing death. This shows the importance of pathological anatomy in medicine. However, a cold is not a severe malignant disease. If the patient has adequate resistance and receives appropriate treatment, complications or secondary diseases like septicemia should not occur. Alas, Mr. Ge was physically and mentally overworked, and the journey exhausted him, weakening his resistance. He contracted a cold, ignored it as minor, but the disease lay dormant and erupted suddenly, costing his life. From Mr. Ge's death, we should learn to pay attention to health preservation and not ignore colds as minor illnesses."
There are many thoughtful and diligent scholars among Western doctors. I respectfully request that you humbly study our TCM books, so there may be hope for the future of medicine.
In this era, when the word "science" is mentioned, everyone knows it is the most popular, timely, respectable, and outstanding thing. To reject someone, one need not exert much effort; simply labeling them "unscientific" can cast them from heaven to hell, never to recover. Isn't that powerful?
It is a pity that we, lacking European education, equate science with machines like airplanes, cars, ships, and guns. Asking ourselves, we understand nothing about machines, so we timidly dare not admit our knowledge is scientific.
Those semi-educated men calling themselves "New TCM" practitioners copy Western disease names, physiology, and pathology books. They are arrogant, acting like "Chinese-speaking Western doctors," eating Western scraps while showing off. Yet, they fail to explain the essence of "science" to us.
It is a pity that our TCM has diagnosed and prescribed scientifically for thousands of years, curing millions, yet we did not realize it. You call it foolish. Practicing science for so long, yet being accused of being unscientific—isn't it laughable?
**Level of Civilization:** When speaking of national civilization, the United States of America certainly qualifies. Look at its magnificent architecture compared to China; its bustling markets; its四通八达 (well-connected) transportation, spider-web railways, and shuttle-like ships; its naval, army, and air force equipment; its universal education from universities to primary schools. Generally, the US is not a backward nation internationally. However, TCM and Chinese herbs, despised by youth who pride themselves on civilization, thrive in the US. Americans praise TCM and believe in Chinese herbs. Are American governors and legislators less civilized than Chinese youth? If so, our talent is remarkable, making China the strongest nation. Our discernment knows only Western medicine, ignoring TCM. Americans' discernment knows both. Who is superior, Chinese or Americans?
**Science vs. Non-Science:** What is the boundary between science and non-science? What is the standard? These are questions.
Diagnosing a specific disease, knowing the specific meridian, and determining a specific treatment—that is science. Disease has its certainty, symptoms have their certainty; adjustments in prescriptions based on symptom variations—this is also science.
Knowing malaria is caused by germs [not germs, but Plasmodium parasites. Editor's Note], but failing to distinguish whether it is Wind-Cold germ, Summerheat-Damp germ, Dryness-Fire germ, Yang Channel germ, or Yin Channel germ, is crude and simplistic. Merely knowing it is a malaria germ transmitted by mosquitoes, without distinguishing Yin/Yang channels or the Six Evils, is useless. How can this be considered scientific?
Knowing dysentery is caused by germs, but failing to distinguish which germ belongs to Cold and which to Heat, or how germs appear in Zang organs versus Fu organs, is crude. Failing to distinguish Cold/Heat and Zang/Fu, knowing only one germ, is useless. How can this be scientific?
Cholera has Cold and Heat types, but the cholera germ cannot be distinguished accordingly; Lung disease has Deficiency and Excess types, but the lung germ cannot be distinguished; Spasm disorders have Heat/Cold and Damp/Wind types, but the spasm germ cannot be distinguished. Crude and simplistic, what is the use? How can this be scientific?
Based on my learning, only TCM practitioners who meticulously study the *Shanghan Lun* and identify diseases and symptoms can be considered scientific. I believe rational scholars will agree with me and not distinguish science merely by formal equipment.
**Discussing Peritonitis Treatment with Western Doctors:** Western medicine has no definitive treatment for peritonitis. According to their own accounts, at least 99 out of 100 patients die. Seeing Dr. Zhang Ting'an's work on this topic, the treatment seems perfunctory and lacks certainty.
My heart burns with urgency, and I dare not keep this secret. I respectfully offer TCM's reliable treatment methods for this condition to Western doctors. Learning this, you could surpass peers, claim invention, and earn doctoral titles. I first reproduce Dr. Zhang XX's original manuscript:
**Chronic Peritonitis Causes:** Mostly tuberculous, caused by tuberculosis bacteria invading the peritoneum. Bacteria enter via blood vessels and lymphatics. Tuberculosis in adjacent organs often spreads to the peritoneum. Common in children and youth, unrelated to gender.
**Anatomy:** Changes in the peritoneum include:
1. Miliary tuberculosis: Peritoneum appears granular.
2. Mass or organized peritonitis: Fibrous exudate found. Peritoneum, intestines, spleen, and lymph nodes adhere to each other and the abdominal wall. Exudate solidifies into connective tissue masses resembling tumors, called pseudotumors. In severe cases, the entire peritoneal cavity adheres.
3. Ascitic peritonitis: Inflammation extends to pleura, pericardium, and serous membranes, also known as serous membrane tuberculosis.
**Symptoms:**
1. Organized Peritonitis:
(1) Uniform abdominal distension, umbilicus protruding.
(2) Entire abdominal wall is hard.
(3) Little pain. Many hard nodules of varying sizes. Tenderness is mild, self-perceived pain is mild. Vomiting/reflux is uncommon. Constipation is common.
2. Ascitic and Congestive Ascites are similar. Fluid does not flow easily. Palpation reveals thickened, contracted greater omentum. Lower stomach feels like a horizontal tumor. Intestinal adhesions form masses and cords (pseudotumors). No systemic fever. "Indigo blue" reaction usually absent in tuberculosis. Liver and spleen may be enlarged or shrunken. This condition [may coexist with] pleurisy or pericarditis, or rarely arthritis/meningitis. Called tuberculous polyserositis (peritonitis).
**Diagnosis:** Hard abdomen and nodules are easy to diagnose. If ascitic peritonitis cannot be distinguished from ascites, examine chest and back for signs of pleurisy. Signs suggest tuberculous peritonitis.
**Course:** Chronic.
**Prognosis:** Generally poor, but better than other tuberculosis sites. Often continuous or temporarily curable.
**Treatment:** Focus on nutrition, fresh air, appropriate exercise. Internal medicine (eliminated now, deleted by editor). Paracentesis for large amounts of ascites. Caution due to adhesions between abdominal wall and intestines. Surgery is currently used.
For this condition, TCM has two treatments: mild cases use Wuling San (Five-Ingredient Poria Pill); severe cases use Shizao Tang (Ten Jujube Decoction). There is certainty; the *Shanghan Lun* confirms this.
**TCM and Science:** Mr. Liu Zhongmai's article "My Views on Organizing National Medicine" discusses TCM and science thoroughly and sharply. Its most insightful point is that "scientization" means using modern scientific data and definitions from the National Medical Association to prove TCM principles. Any academic discipline with definitions, logical deduction, and induction procedures is science. Mixing Western theories and forcing connections to acoustics, optics, chemistry, and electricity is not science. This view is accurate, far beyond the "New TCM" trendsetters who plagiarize Western theories and hide behind Western reputations. They have no understanding of TCM, Western medicine, or science. Recent scholars value empty fame over practical work, copying others without real insight. The "science" of New TCM is merely plagiarism. I believe treating by channel differentiation is science, and prescribing according to symptoms is science. Mr. Liu's argument reinforces my belief.
**On Cough:** "Qing" (sound of clearing throat) and "Kai" (cough) constitute cough. The appearance of cough is terrifying. Lung Qi rises instead of descending, rebels and fails to gather, striking the diaphragm and throat, causing itching and blockage sensations. The cough bursts from the throat. This is cough.
Severe coughing is continuous, preventing sitting, lying, or speaking. It moves the whole body and is heard nearby. Cough includes external contraction coughs and miscellaneous disease coughs. External contractions differ by Wind-Cold and Wind-Warmth. Miscellaneous diseases differ by the involvement of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs.