神医“扁鹊”：望闻问切的诊断鼻祖
Bian Que was a native of the State of Qi during the Warring States Period. He was widely regarded as a pioneer among medical physicians in ancient China. His original name was Qin Yueren, but he became so well-known for his medical skills that people started calling him Bian Que after a legendary doctor from the time of the Yellow Emperor.
According to one legend, when Bian Que was young, he ran an inn (客栈). An older guest named Chang Sangjun recognized Bian Que’s good qualities and decided to teach him medicine. Chang Sangjun gave Bian Que a book and some herbs, telling him to take the herbs with a special liquid for 30 days. After doing this, Bian Que gained the ability to understand the secrets of nature and see through the human body. He kept this ability secret and used it to diagnose (诊断) patients by feeling their pulse.
Bian Que is considered “the father of traditional Chinese medicine” and made significant contributions to its development. It is believed that he wrote “Nan Jing”, a classic book on medical problems in traditional Chinese medicine. Bian Que practiced medicine in many states and was an expert in various fields, including gynecology, ophthalmology, otorhinolaryngology, and pediatrics.
Bian Que developed his medical skills by learning from other doctors and inventing his own methods. He created the “Four-step Diagnostic Method”, which includes:
Observing: Looking at patients’ tongues and appearances.
Listening: Paying attention to their voice and breathing patterns.
Inquiring: Asking about their physical conditions and symptoms.
Pulse-taking: Feeling their pulse.
This method is still a foundation for diagnoses in traditional Chinese medicine today. Bian Que was considered by many to be the most knowledgeable expert in pulse diagnosis. Now, calling a Chinese physician a “living Bian Que” is the highest compliment one could give.