Chapter 20 Section Thirteen Famous Doctor Bian Que

In the Spring and Autumn Period around the 5th century BC, there was a famous medical scientist in my country named Bian Que.His original name was Qinyue, and he was from Maomao, Bohai (now Renqiu County, Hebei). He was a folk doctor with excellent medical skills, and his footprints spread all over Hebei, Henan, Shandong, and Shaanxi. Bian Que is good at inspection and palpation. As an important way to examine the human body, he used the four diagnosis methods of looking at the color, hearing the sound, asking about the disease, and feeling the pulse.Since then, the four diagnostic methods have become the most basic diagnostic methods of Chinese medicine.Moreover, he also founded the theoretical pulse study of pulse diagnosis. "Historical Records Biography of Bian Que" says: "To this day, Bian Que is the one who talks about pulse in the world." It reflects his position in the history of pulse science.

In terms of treatment, Bian Que used Bianstone (bianbian) stone (a tool used for bloodletting therapy), acupuncture, massage, soup, ironing (hot compress), surgery, and guidance, and often used a variety of methods. The comprehensive treatment with both methods has received good medical effects, some of which are still in use today.Daoyin technique was a very popular treatment method at that time. It was a medical exercise combining respiratory exercise and body exercise. It can be said that it was the beginning of sports medicine. In medical practice, Bian Que also put forward the principle of "there are six diseases that cannot be cured".Among them, there is a death sentence of "believe in witchcraft but not medicine", which reflects his clear stance of advocating medicine and opposing witchcraft and superstition.This was remarkable in an era when witchcraft and superstition were very prevalent.It is a pity that this generation of famous doctors was assassinated because of the jealousy of Li Xi (xixi), the imperial physician order (the official in charge of medical care) of the Qin State when he went to practice medicine in the Qin State.In order to commemorate him, later generations respect him as the "Father of Medicine".Until now, there are still some relics commemorating him in Shandong, Henan, Hebei and other places, such as Quewang Mountain and Bianque Temple.