It is not always easy. And while it is generally worthwhile to know enough Chinese to read the medical texts, the process of learning at times will take you down strange alleyways. Here’s one of them.
Category Archives: Translation
Zhen Wu Tang to treat prostate enlargement
As more and more people study the classic formulas, dig into that current of thought and begin to gain some comfort with using not small doses of zhì fù zî (Aconiti Radix lateralis preparata); the Fire Spirit current which focuses exclusively on the preservation and restoration of yang has become a topic of interest for…
Use of Ge Gen for TMJ
This is a guest post, written by Kathryn Sanders, who practices acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine in New York City. Kathryn is a recent graduate of SIOM where she acquired the ability to read medical Chinese. This case study is a good example of using Puerariae Radix (gé gën) to treat head and neck symptoms…
Another look at the six levels
When I first was exposed to the Shang Han Lun in Chinese medicine school, I gathered that illnesses ran through the levels like this: Tai Yang -> Yang Ming -> Shao Yang -> Tai Yin -> Shao Yin -> Jue Yin Furthermore, that mysterious Jue Yin level with its odd mixes of heat and vomiting…
Not exactly a textbook case
Brain damage from traffic accident An excerpt from Deciphering the Shang Han Lun, by Chang Bu-Tao (張步桃) A Mr. Li had a motorcycle accident and was taken to the emergency room and then into surgery. After surgery he was taken to the intensive care unit for observation. His older sister was one of my students,…
The lighter side of translation
We all know that translation is rarely a well balanced algebraic equation. Norms, habit, personal preference and worldview all play a role in how meaning crosses between language and culture.
Pleco for iPhone
If you drift on over to the Pleco website you will see that as of December 18th the new Pleco dictionary for the iPhone will be available at the App Store. I’ve been using this software as part of the beta testing program for the past six weeks. It is brilliant. If you have an…
Tools of the trade
If any of you have inclination toward reading Chinese, then you probably are familiar with Pleco software. Yes, that is their logo on the iPhone app in the picture. No, it is not yet available. But, from participating in the beta-test I can tell you that if you have an iPhone in your pocket, and…