A Classic TCM Case-Study Work: the Zhu-Xuan Shi Jinmo Yi'an

The Zhu-Xuan Shi Jinmo Yi'an (Selected Medical Cases of Shi Jinmo, Compiled by Zhu) is a TCM case-study work in which Professor Zhu Chenyu, a disciple and son-in-law of Shi Jinmo, selected Shi's case records, with the participation and editorial review of three other disciples—Zhang Suichu, Li Jieming, and Zhang Zongyi. It was first published in 1940. Because of Shi Jinmo's influence, the book spread widely in TCM circles as soon as it appeared; many clinical TCM physicians treated patients following the therapeutic logic in Shi's cases, with considerable effect. As the compiler wrote in the book, "Its structure is slightly different from ordinary case records; it may be read as a case book and also used as a clinical reference."

In 2010, the Medical Publishing Center of Chemical Industry Press reissued the book. In the new edition, Shi Xiaomo—Shi Jinmo's son—selected several posthumous works of his father and a biography of Shi Jinmo written by his brother-in-law Professor Zhu Chenyu, adding them to the new version so that its content is richer.

Shi Jinmo was one of the four great famous physicians of Beijing and the most far-sighted clinician and educator in contemporary TCM. In 1931 he founded the North China National Medical School and served as its principal. Because Shi strongly advocated integrating Chinese and Western medicine, the school taught both TCM and Western-medicine courses. It trained more than 600 medical talents versed in both traditions; after the founding of New China, many became elites of China's TCM world and made great contributions to TCM education.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Shi Jinmo advised Premier Zhou Enlai to establish a Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences; under his advocacy, the academy was founded. It was while working at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences that Professor Tu Youyou discovered artemisinin, for which she ultimately received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Zhu Chenyu was born into a middle-class family in Beijing. When Zhu's mother fell ill and treatments everywhere failed, Shi Jinmo cured her. Zhu therefore greatly admired Shi's medical skill and, from age 19, followed Shi copying prescriptions as his indoor disciple. He later married Shi's daughter, becoming both disciple and son-in-law.

After six years of apprenticeship, Shi Jinmo sent Zhu to study Western clinical medicine at Kanazawa Medical University in Japan. On returning, Zhu practiced both Chinese and Western medicine and became one of China's TCM luminaries steeped in both traditions.

The Zhu-Xuan Shi Jinmo Yi'an compiled by Zhu fully reflects the Shi school's integration of Chinese and Western medicine. The diseases selected are classified by modern medical disease names, while treatment follows TCM logic. Shi Jinmo strongly advocated the principle of "Western diagnosis, Chinese treatment," promoting the scientization and standardization of TCM, so his academic works bear a distinct integrated character. Such case records suit modern readers and pioneered the integration of Chinese and Western clinical cases.

The cases in the book are recorded in great detail: for each patient, every consultation and its therapeutic reasoning are documented, so the reader feels as though copying prescriptions at Shi Jinmo's side. The book therefore has high academic and practical value. A self-taught famous physician in Tangshan, when he first began practice, often read this book and treated patients following its prescriptions; with outstanding results, his reputation gradually grew, and he often called himself an informal disciple of Shi Jinmo.

In TCM history, a good medical book usually embodies the joint effort of two generations of teacher and disciple, and the Shi Jinmo cases are just such a representative work. Those studying TCM or integrated Chinese-Western medicine should keep a copy on their desk and turn to it often; they are sure to gain.