Herbs and heat in Chinese armamentarium

Abstract

In contrast with the centuries-old practice of traditional Chinese medicine, Western medicine was introduced to China less than 200 years ago. And the first Western medical school, St John's University in Shanghai, was established in 1880. Nearly 40 years later, the first formal school of traditional Chinese medicine was established, also in Shanghai. Before then, traditional medicine was taught through apprenticeships. A physician accepted only one student, who spent years learning from his mentor and the classic medical literature. Both types of medical schools still exist in China, although the 123 Western medical schools far outnumber the 24 traditional schools, and some traditional physicians still have apprentices. But distinctions between the two systems of medicine are not as sharp as at the turn of the century. For example, students in traditional schools are required to learn anatomy and physiology, while students trained in Western medicine become familiar with herbal medicines