Throughout the history of medicine, different civilizations have developed their own unique terminologies and concepts to describe various medical conditions and treatments. Today, we will compare and contrast pairs of medical terms from ancient Greek and Chinese medicine, specifically focusing on infarction and 積聚 (Jījù), rheuma and 痰 (Tán), and thrombo and 瘀血 (Yūxuè). The comparison will highlight the similarities in meaning between these terms, despite the differences in their origins and languages.
Infarction and 積聚 (Jījù)
Infarction, a term derived from Latin infarcire "to stuff into," has been used since the 1680s to describe tissue death due to the obstruction of blood supply, usually caused by a blood clot or embolus. The concept of infarction is rooted in ancient Greek medical knowledge, emphasizing the importance of unobstructed blood flow for tissue survival.
On the other hand, 積聚 (Jījù) is a term in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that refers to the accumulation of substances such as food, phlegm, or blood in the body, leading to blockages and stagnation of qi and blood, causing various diseases. The concept of 積聚 can be traced back to ancient Chinese medical texts such as the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic).
Despite the differences in their origins and languages, both terms focus on the idea of blockages and their effects on the body. However, infarction is specific to tissue death in modern days, while 積聚 has a broader scope, encompassing various forms of stagnation.
Rheuma and 痰 (Tán)
Rheuma, originating from the Greek word "rheûma," refers to any watery discharge from the mucous membranes, as of the mouth, eyes, or nose(www.collinsdictionary.com/). In ancient Greek medicine, Hippocrates attributed many illnesses, especially those causing muscle pain to the abnormal flow of body rheums. The influential 1st century botanist and founding author of De Materia Medica, Pedanios Dioscorides, concluded that arthritis was caused by, “a defluxion of rheum or a humour, bilious, sanguineous, melancholic, but usually pituitrous and crude.” Since then, rheumatism has served as the all-encompassing explanation for everything that ached.(https://www.the-rheumatologist.org/article/how-rheumatism-got-its-name/2/) The term "rheumatism" was used to describe various conditions characterized by inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints and muscles.
In contrast, 痰 (Tán) is a TCM term that represents phlegm or pathological fluids, which can accumulate in the body and cause various ailments. The concept of 痰 can be found in ancient Chinese medical texts and is considered a vital factor in TCM diagnosis and treatment.
Both terms involve the abnormal flow or accumulation of fluids in the body, but their applications and underlying theories differ. Rheumatism primarily focuses on joint and muscle-related issues, while 痰 encompasses a wide range of disorders caused by phlegm.
Thrombo and 瘀血 (Yūxuè)
Thrombo, derived from the Greek word "thrombos," refers to blood clots that form within blood vessels, which can lead to conditions such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. The concept of thrombosis is well-established in ancient Greek medicine, with a focus on the causes, prevention, and treatment of blood clots.
瘀血 (Yūxuè), a term in TCM, translates to "stagnant blood" or "blood stasis." It describes the condition in which blood circulation is impeded, leading to various symptoms such as pain, swelling, or discoloration. The concept of 瘀血 is deeply rooted in TCM theories, emphasizing the importance of smooth blood flow for overall health.
Both thrombo and 瘀血 are concerned with blood circulation and its obstruction. However, thrombo specifically refers to blood clots, while 瘀血 encompasses a broader range of blood stagnation issues.
The comparison of medical terms from ancient Greek and Chinese medicine reveals that despite the differences in language and cultural context, these civilizations shared similar concepts regarding certain medical conditions. Infarction and 積聚 both address the idea of blockages, rheuma and 痰 involve the abnormal flow or accumulation of fluids, and thrombo and 瘀血 focus on blood circulation and its obstruction.
This similarity in meaning across different languages and cultures suggests that human beings, throughout history, have grappled with common health issues and strived to understand the workings of the human body. The study of these terms not only provides insight into the historical development of medicine but also highlights the interconnectedness of human knowledge and the universality of certain medical concepts.