2. The Basic Principles in Diagnosis of CM

There are three basic principles in the diagnosis of CM:

① Examination of the human body as an organic whole;

② Use of four diagnostic methods;

③ Combination of disease differentiation and pattern identification.

(1) Examination of entirety (to observe both the internal and external aspects of the body)

Since the human body is an organic whole and constantly communicates with the external environment, the diagnosis of local pathological changes should include the analysis of the overall condition of the body and the influence of the external environment.

(2) Application of the four diagnostic methods

Although inspection, listening and smelling, inquiring, pulse reading and palpation have their characteristic role in the diagnosis of diseases, they still have some limitations and cannot replace each other. So, the comprehensive application of the four diagnostic methods is essential to collect all the necessary data used in pattern identification.

(3) Combination of disease differentiation and pattern identification

This is essential to clarify the nature of diseases by identifying both disease and respective patterns and combining the disease differentiation and pattern identification in diagnosis (Fig. 1-3).