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Diagnosis

In Chinese medicine's terms, there are four diagnostic methods:

  • Inspection:

    Inspection is a method of diagnosis in which the Chinese medical doctor understands and predicts the pathological changes of internal organs by observing abnormal changes in the patient's vitality, color, appearance, secretions and excretions. In their long-term medical practice, the Chinese doctors realized the close relationship between the external part of the body, especially the face and tongue, and the Zang-fu (heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, small intestine, large intestine, gallbladder etc.) organs; any slight changes appearing in these areas can tell pathological conditions in various parts of the body. Inspection of the exterior of the body, therefore, is of much help in diagnosis.

  • Auscultation and Olfaction:

    Auscultation refers to listening. such as listening to the speech, to the respiration, to the cough. Olfaction refers to smell of a secretion or excretion.

  • Inquiring:

    Inquiring is asking the patient or the patient's companion about the disease condition in order to understand the pathological process.

  • Palpation:

    Palpation is a method of diagnosis in which the pathological condition is detected by feeling the pulse and palpating the skin, epigastria, abdomen, hand, foot and other parts of the body.

As the human body is an organic entity, its regional pathological changes may affect the whole body, and the pathological changes of internal organs may manifest themselves on the body surface. Analyzing and synthesizing the pathological conditions by using the four diagnostic methods, the doctor can determine the causative factors and nature of the disease, thus providing basis for further differentiation and treatment. The four methods cannot be separated, but relate to and supplement one another. Then the correct diagnosis can be made.