Ailments Caused by Cold in Vietnam vs. China

Maria Stalford <stalford@fas.harvard.edu>

date Dec 3, 2006 4:26 PM

subject [Vsg] Ailments Caused by Cold in Vietnam vs. China

As the cold of winter sets in and we anticipate a snowstorm here in Boston, I have a few questions for the list about how colds and flu are perceived by practitioners of traditional medicine in Vietnam.

In his 1987 article, “Vietnamese Attitudes Regarding Illness and Healing,” David Marr describes the centuries-old controversy generated by Lan Ong’s declaration that the Chinese classic, Treatise on Ailments Caused by Cold, was not applicable to Vietnam, “both because ancient metaphysical formulations placed such diseases at the northwest point of the compass ... and because [Lan Ong’s] own experience indicated that Vietnamese patients reacted unfavourably to strong ‘heat-conveying’ agents like ephedra or cinnamon.” In this regard, Lan Ong was following Tue Tinh in advocating for the use of fewer ‘hot’ ingredients in remedies for Vietnamese as compared with Chinese patients. Has anyone noted whether this controversy continues to be of interest to scholars and medical practitioners in Vietnam, as Marr notes it apparently was as late as the 1970s? Does the idea that the ‘southern’ climate (and perhaps bodily constitution?) necessitates the modification of ‘northern’ remedies continue to have currency today? Also, I’m just curious--did anyone happen to note if avian flu has sparked further interest in traditional medical circles in the nature and etiology of flus or colds, and their proper remedies? Finally, is anyone aware of any English or French translations of any of the works of Tue Tinh or Lan Ong? (In English, I have only ever managed to find an excerpt from Lan Ong’s “At the Palace of the Trinh Lords,” in Vietnamese Studies.)

I am very convinced by Michele Thompson’s refutation in her dissertation of the popular misconception that “the contributions of Vietnamese physicians to the practice of Sino-Vietnamese medicine have been practical rather than theoretical.” I wonder if the various ‘ailments caused by cold’ (or otherwise particularly tied to climatic conditions) are an area in which the theoretical contributions of Vietnamese physicians would be especially apparent.

I am very grateful for the perspective provided by these wonderful works by David Marr and Michele Thompson and in advance to the list for any thoughts or additional references on this topic.

Maria Stalford, graduate student in anthropology and public health

Michele Thompson <thompsonc2@southernct.edu>

date Dec 4, 2006 5:53 AM

subject Re: [Vsg] Ailments Caused by Cold in Vietnam vs. China

Dear Maria,

Let me address your questions in several parts,

In his 1987 article, “Vietnamese Attitudes Regarding Illness and Healing,” David Marr describes the centuries-old controversy generated by Lan Ong’s declaration that the Chinese classic, Treatise on Ailments Caused by Cold, was not applicable to Vietnam, “both because ancient metaphysical formulations placed such diseases at the northwest point of the compass ... and because [Lan Ong’s] own experience indicated that Vietnamese patients reacted unfavourably to strong ‘heat-conveying’ agents like ephedra or cinnamon.” In this regard, Lan Ong was following Tue Tinh in advocating for the use of fewer ‘hot’ ingredients in remedies for Vietnamese as compared with Chinese patients. Has anyone noted whether this controversy continues to be of interest to scholars and medical practitioners in Vietnam, as Marr notes it apparently was as late as the 1970s? Does the idea that the ‘southern’ climate (and perhaps bodily constitution?) necessitates the modification of ‘northern’ remedies continue to have currency today?

There are many practitioners of Thu?c B?c in Vietnam and they generally do not feel that there is much if any need for modification of, or caution in using, specifically Chinese medicaments when treating Vietnamese patients. However practitioners of Thu?c Nam continue to follow Tu? Tinh and Lan Ong in this matter.

Also, I’m just curious--did anyone happen to note if avian flu has sparked further interest in traditional medical circles in the nature and etiology of flus or colds, and their proper remedies?

When I have been in Vietnam since Avian flu first hit I have had discussions with several traditional healers and pharmacists about this and they certainly have an interest in this and, often conflicting, ideas about it. I'm not sure whether or not anything has actually been published on this matter.

Finally, is anyone aware of any English or French translations of any of the works of Tue Tinh or Lan Ong? (In English, I have only ever managed to find an excerpt from Lan Ong’s “At the Palace of the Trinh Lords,” in Vietnamese Studies.)

As far as I know none of Tu? Tinh's works have been translated in full into English. However you might check out the two articles below, particularly the first one for information on the questions you've raised.

Nguyen Kiet Chi,, 1986. "Traditional Drugs of Vietnam in the Works of Tue Tinh," Vietnamese Studies n.s., 12:47-104.

V? Ng?c Khanh. “Tu? Tinh (1330-?)” in Th? Gi?i Publishers 2004. Renowned Vietnamese Intellectuals prior to the 20th Century (Th? Gi?i) pp. 38-42.

For a full translation into French of Lan Ong's Thu?ng Kinh Ky-S? see

Nguy?n Tr?n Huan, trans. 1972. Lan Ong, Thu?ng Kinh Ky-S? (Relation d'un vayage a la Capitale) (Ecole Francaise D'Extreme-Orient).

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