Chinese medicine: from rural hospitals to top three hospitals in Kyoto

Chapter 1248 Yu Shiyun's Appearance

"Thank you for your guidance, Elder Han!" Hu and Zhao were both sincerely convinced.

Han Jimin waved his hand: "We learn from each other. In folk medicine, we often pay more attention to the patient's life and emotions, which is sometimes more important than simply looking at the symptoms."

The first "competition" concluded with Han Lao's comments.

Next, several more "patients" were invited to the stage, some of whom were real patients, while others were "test questions" arranged by the medical association organizers.

There was a burly man who claimed to be suffering from severe abdominal pain and tossing and turning in bed; there was a woman who was pale, short of breath, and had palpitations; and there was a young man with strange symptoms who claimed to feel "energy running wildly through his body".

Various folk Chinese medicine practitioners and several hospital doctors took turns speaking, each expressing their own opinions.

Some used classical formulas, some used contemporary formulas, some were skilled in acupuncture and performed needlework on the spot, and some demonstrated massage and bone-setting techniques.

The arguments varied widely; some were precise and ingenious, drawing applause; others were far-fetched, causing boos; and still others argued heatedly over the selection of a single ingredient.

Han Jimin mostly listened quietly, occasionally offering a few insightful words at crucial moments, which often hit the nail on the head and enlightened people.

Chen Yang and the others watched with great interest.

This kind of original, grassroots medical exchange is completely different from the standardized case discussion meetings in hospitals. It is more vibrant and directly demonstrates the diversity and practicality of traditional Chinese medicine thinking.

"It is interesting."

Zhuang Qiwen said in a low voice, "Although some of the views seem crude or even wrong, this model of facing patients directly, diagnosing on the spot, and providing immediate feedback is very helpful for training clinical thinking."

Yu Shiyun nodded: "Moreover, you can hear a lot of folk experiences and unique insights that are not found in books."

"For example, the old lady just now used the external application of umbilical cord therapy to treat diarrhea in children. Although the reasoning was not systematic, it sounded very practical."

Zeng Yunhui, on the other hand, pays more attention to the cases that are hotly debated, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of different diagnostic approaches.

Xia Hongliang's eyes darted around, and he quietly leaned closer to Chen Yang, whispering, "Director Chen, are we... just going to take a look?"

"Should we... show off our skills too? Of course, but we need to keep a low profile and avoid trouble."

Chen Yang glanced at him, then looked at the atmosphere in the arena, pondered for a moment, and said, "Let's see how things go. If there's a suitable opportunity, we can exchange ideas. But remember, we're here to learn, not to challenge them."

Xia Hongliang chuckled: "Understood!"

Just then, the situation changed as a new "patient" was brought in, causing quite a stir.

This is a young woman being helped, about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old. Her face is as pale as paper, her eyes are sunken, her lips are bloodless, and she is so thin that she is almost emaciated.

The woman looked listless, her body trembling slightly, as if she didn't even have the strength to stand.

What is most striking are her hands; her ten fingers are pale and bluish, her nails are dark purple, and she wears thin gloves even in the height of summer.

The man who brought the woman was middle-aged and looked extremely anxious: "Doctors, please have mercy and take a look at my sister! Her illness is very strange. We've been to so many hospitals, both traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine doctors, but they just can't find anything wrong with her, and she's getting worse and worse!"

The organizers stepped forward to inquire about the situation.

The man choked up as he said, "My sister's name is Xiaojuan. She used to be very healthy. But a year ago, she inexplicably became afraid of the cold, and it got worse and worse. She has to wear a cotton-padded coat even in the summer, and she can't stand any cold water."

"First, my hands and feet got cold, then they turned blue and purple, and the pain was severe. I couldn't eat, and I became so thin that I was just skin and bones. Western doctors diagnosed me with Raynaud's disease, but the treatment was ineffective. I also saw many traditional Chinese medicine doctors, some of whom said it was due to Yang deficiency, and others said it was due to blood stasis. I took a lot of medicine, but I didn't get better. For the past month, I haven't even been able to get out of bed!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions turned solemn. This was clearly a difficult and serious illness.

The organizer looked at Han Jimin.

Old Han nodded slightly: "Let everyone take a look, and let's brainstorm together."

Several folk Chinese medicine practitioners who believed they were skilled in treating deficiency-cold syndromes stepped forward first.

After observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, most diagnoses are "Yang deficiency and cold coagulation" or "blood deficiency and cold syncope". The prescriptions are nothing more than modified versions of warming Yang and dispelling cold formulas such as Dang Gui Si Ni Tang, Yang He Tang, and Fu Zi Li Zhong Tang.

But their diagnoses and prescriptions didn't seem to elicit a special reaction from Old Han; he simply listened quietly.

At this moment, an experienced traditional Chinese medicine doctor from a county-level hospital stepped forward, examined the patient carefully, and offered a different opinion.

"Although the patient presents with signs of coldness, his tongue, though pale, has a faint purplish tinge and red spots on the tip; his pulse, though deep and thready, has a slightly wiry quality."

"Furthermore, it was learned that the patient had a heated argument with someone before the onset of the illness. This is probably not a simple case of Yang deficiency, but rather caused by 'liver stagnation and Qi stagnation, with Yang Qi being blocked and unable to reach the outside.' The treatment should be Si Ni San to soothe the liver and regulate Qi, and to release the stagnant Yang, combined with Dang Gui Si Ni Tang to warm the meridians and unblock the vessels."

This approach is a step forward compared to simply relying on Wen Yang. Old Han nodded slightly, but still did not comment.

A moment of silence fell over the room. This case was clearly more complex and challenging than the previous ones.

Xia Hongliang couldn't help but whisper, "Liver stagnation and qi stagnation, yang qi depression... that makes some sense, but it still feels like something's missing..."

Zhuang Qiwen frowned, carefully recalling every detail he had just observed.

Yu Shiyun murmured, "Hands and feet are bruised and purple, in pain, emaciated... This scene seems to be a similar description I've seen in ancient books..."

Just then, Chen Yang suddenly felt Yu Shiyun's body tremble slightly beside him.

Yu Shiyun stared at the girl named Xiao Juan, her eyes gradually clearing from confusion to a hint of unbelievable excitement.

"Director Chen..."

Yu Shiyun turned her head, her voice trembling slightly: "I...I might have thought of a possibility..."

"Hmm?" Chen Yang looked at her.

Yu Shiyun took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice steady.

“I remember… in a very old medical record book left by my grandfather, he mentioned a strange disease he encountered in his early years. The symptoms were very similar to those of this girl. It was called… ‘Yin poison’ or ‘severe cold syncope’.”

"That book says that this disease may seem extremely cold, but its root cause may actually be 'deep-seated toxins in the blood,' which deplete qi and blood, preventing yang qi from reaching the body. Treatment cannot use ordinary warming yang medicines; it requires some...some special methods."

As Yu Shiyun spoke, her voice grew softer and softer, as if she herself was not entirely sure.

A strange light flashed in Chen Yang's eyes.

"Would you like to give it a try?" Chen Yang asked softly.

Yu Shiyun nodded vigorously: "I want to try, but... I need to confirm a few more details."

Chen Yang patted her on the shoulder: "Go ahead, and remember, be cautious in your analysis, but bold in your arguments."

With Chen Yang's approval, Yu Shiyun stepped out from the crowd amidst everyone's surprised gazes.

Yu Shiyun's youthful and beautiful face contrasted sharply with the mature or rugged folk Chinese medicine practitioners in the room, immediately attracting everyone's attention.