A History of Traditional Chinese External Medicine

This seminal work represents the culmination of nearly six decades of Professor Li Jingwei’s dedicated research, offering a comprehensive and systematic examination of the history of surgery in China. Guided by the principles of historical materialism and integrating knowledge from both traditional Chinese and modern Western medicine, the author meticulously analyzes a vast array of source materials. These include renowned historical surgical treatises, surgical sections within comprehensive medical texts, and relevant records from classical Chinese historical and literary collections.

 Through an exhaustive process of gathering, sorting, and critically evaluating these sources, the book identifies and elucidates the most valuable historical facts and accounts. Its core objective is to articulate the academic achievements, historical experiences, and developmental patterns of traditional Chinese external medicine within a modern framework—one where surgical intervention is a defining characteristic. The study highlights those aspects that not only reflect the brilliance of traditional Chinese culture but also possess practical reference value for the contemporary development of medicine in China. Structured chronologically to reflect the progression of knowledge, this scholarly treatise masterfully connects ancient wisdom with modern applications. It stands as an authoritative reference, meticulously crafted to make the past serve the present, and provides invaluable insights for historians of medicine, surgeons, and anyone interested in the evolution of medical thought and practice within a rich cultural context.