Chapter 1　Introduction

Under the instruction of the basic theory of Chinese Medicine (CM), diagnosis in CM is a subject, which focuses on the basic theories, diagnostic methods, and identification of patterns. As a bridge between the basic theory of CM and all clinical practice, diagnosis in CM can be regarded as the central conceptual process in CM.

In order to provide evidence for prevention and treatment of illness and disease, the contents of diagnosis in CM include: examination; examining the pathological conditions of the disease; analysis by means of proper methods; determining the characteristics of clinical manifestations in various diseases and patterns; and the rules that relate to various stages of an illness.

During the long history of clinical practice, through the accumulation of copious clinical experiences in diagnosis by CM practitioners in various historical times, a characteristic, integrated diagnosis system was well formed in China. This diagnostic system includes the Four Diagnostic Methods –sì zhěn四診(inspection, listening and smelling, inquiry, pulse reading and palpation), and the Identification of Patterns and Diseases. The specific diagnostic methods and the recognition of diagnosis in CM have not only created significant effects in clinical practice but also through their development have lead to certain influences on biomedicine.