Five And Six And The "treatise On The Study

The theory of the Five Movements and Six Climates is a controversial topic. Some believe this theory is of utmost importance in Chinese Medicine, with such powerful effects that could bring the dead back to life and make muscle grow from the bone; others think it is superstition, an unpractical metaphysics. In fact, both counterparts have basis to support their opinions. However practice is the sole criterion to search for truth. Therefore in order to judge and consolidate the validity of a theory, it is necessary to be effective in clinical practice.The theory of the"Five Movements and Six Climates"is about the rule of five basic elements originated from nature: wood, fire, earth, metal and water; and six climatic factors: wind, cold, summer-heat, damp, dryness and fire; as well as other influences from nature and organisms including the human body. Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Febrile Disease) is a medicinal book with detailed study and discussion of clinical treatment methods, based on differentiation of syndromes, for exogenous diseases. The main purpose of this study is to combine the theory of Five Movements and Six Climates and Shang Han Lun, and attempt to explain some puzzles found in this medicinal classic.The author believes that Zhang Zhongjing was familiar with the theory of the Five Movements and Six Climates, and preached that senior doctors should have a thorough understanding of this theory. Therefore, this theory is the theoretical basis of Shang Han Lun, as well as the foundation for the assembly of prescriptions within it.The upper part of the dissertation is studied from the following aspects:The foreword of Shang Han Lun quotes"referred to Su Wen (Plain Questions), Jiu Juan (Nine Scrolls), Yin Yang Da Lun (Yin Yang Classic)..."Hence, whether the Five Movements and Six Climates theory originated or not from Su Wen is questioned and investigated in depth. This paper also discusses the changes of word count in the seven theoretical books, the lost and missing sections of the classics and the similarity of these with corresponding sections found in chapters of Su Wen, insinuating a close connection between the seven theoretical books and Su Wen. In addition, it puts forward that the calculation method of sixty-year cycle mentioned in the seven theoretical books does not date to Eastern Han dynasty but was published before the Western Han dynasty, and not after the Han and Wei dynasty.