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NLM Newsline 1999 October-December Vol. 54, No. 4


In This Issue:

NLM Rewarded with Hammer

Rockefeller Telemedicine Event

Frances Howard Retirement

bulletChinese Art Exhibit

Becky Lyon Named Deputy Assoc. Director of Library Operations

Cravedi Named Liaison Officer

2000 Budget Announced

Long Range Plan Meeting

Son of MEDLINEplus

Rodbell Archive Added To Profiles In Science

New NLM Associates

Dr. Bond Named Board Chair

Altemus and Detweiler Win Award for "Frankenstein"

NLM Honor Awards

Dr. Cassedy Logs 50 Years


In Every Issue:

Names in the News

Products and Publications

NLM in Print



Classics of Traditional Chinese Medicine on View at NLM

Exhibit Continues through March 2000


A collection of valuable Chinese medical classics is now on display in the lobby of the National Library of Medicine. This small exhibit focuses on some of the gems from NLM's collection of 2,000 traditional Chinese medical books.

Composed of fine rice paper and beautifully bound, the volumes range from treatises on herbal remedies and acupuncture to surgical techniques and the concept of Yin and Yang. Some of the books are illustrated with pen and ink drawings depicting various herbs, minerals, animals and the acupuncture points on a seated figure. Also included in the collection are the portraits of significant figures in early Chinese medicine and various emperors whose contributions to Chinese medicine have taken on mythical status. An example of the latter is Huang Ti (the "Yellow Emperor," 2600 BC), who wrote what is believed to be the earliest Chinese medical text and introduced the principles of Yin and Yang.

"Many of the herbs -- ginseng, ma huang, gingko biloba -- that have been used in Chinese medicine for 3,000 years are now familiar to Western medicine and are used by millions of people all over the world," said Young Rhee, co-curator of the exhibit. The Chinese even pioneered the use of an herbal anesthetic in AD 208. The techniques of Chinese medicine were widely disseminated beginning in the sixth century by Buddhist monks who traveled all over Asia. The Japanese and Koreans became particularly adept practitioners of Chinese medical techniques.

Most of the exhibited books are texts that range from the 15th through 19th centuries. Some originated in Japan or Korea where medical practitioners copied from, and adapted, early Chinese medical texts.

The exhibit is curated by Young Rhee of the History of Medicine Division, and Yoshiko Doherty and Margaret Feng of NLM's Technical Services Division. Accompanying artwork for the displays was designed by NLM graphics director Joe Fitzgerald. The exhibit may be viewed in the NLM lobby, Building 38, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The Library is closed on federal holidays.

Surgery Handbook Image

Image: Omura Ansei, Geka hitsuyo (Surgery Handbook), Japan, 1684.

Hua Shou

Image: Hua Shou, flourished 1360-1370, Jushikyo (The Routes of Fourteen Channels and Their Functions), Kyoto, 1716. Shown here is a description of 20 acupuncture points on the arm that are used to treat colon diseases. It is written in a sonnet style for easier memorization.

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Last updated: 19 April 2000
First published: 01 October 2000
Permanence level: Permanent: Stable Content


U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
National Institutes of Health, Department of Health & Human Services
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Last updated: 19 April 2000