Medical Ethics

illuStRated tcm Medical ethics

equality and

universal love

Since ancient times, TCM

practitioners have advocated

serving the common people

and benefiting humankind. A

TCM practitioner treats each

patient as he or she would a

family member, regardless of

social status, race, or educa-

tion, in the spirit of universal

love. Sun Simiao (581-208),

Hua Tuo (145-208) and certain

other famous TCM doctors of

different dynasties declined to

work as imperial physicians,

Self-Cultivation in Ideology

Self-cultivation is the main course of study for TCM practitio-ners. Its purpose is to instill in doctors such values as indifference to fame and wealth, self-restraint and austerity. Maintaining a lucid mindset is essential for TCM practitioners to make profound

attainments in both practice and theory.

The Y ellow Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine

, published more than 2,000 years ago, advocates punctiliousness in clinical practice and theory. It requires TCM practitioners to be rigorous in diagnosis, differentiation, medication, acupuncture, and academic

research.

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Medical ethics are rooted in the Taoist and Confucian cultures, which expect TCM practitioners to be compassionate and proac-tively involved in their community. Chinese history shows that at times of pestilence, there have always been TCM practitioners on hand to donate their wealth and mobilize their family members in efforts to treat and save patients.

TCM lays great store on inheriting fine traditions. Carrying for -ward medical ethics has for millennia been the main priority when selecting and teaching disciples. The great achievements of TCM are what make it outstanding throughout the world.