Pathomechanisms describe the dynamic process through which disease develops and transforms in the body. While pattern diagnosis provides the practitioner with a snapshot picture of the current state of illness, it is a thorough understanding of pathomechanisms that allows one to predict and prevent the progression of disease. A comprehensive knowledge of the pathomechanisms involved in a given case allows treatment to be more holistic, preventative, and effective. In modern China, pathomechanisms have become a major focus of Chinese medical literature and education. Up to now, relatively little of this material has been transmitted to the West, and consequently many practitioners have failed to go beyond pattern diagnosis to examine the underlying disease process that produces the patterns. Thus, pathomechanisms are often described as a “missing link” in a Westerner’s Chinese medical education. Paradigm's new series of texts devoted to pathomechanisms attempts to bridge this gap so that practitioners may advance their knowledge and reap the rewards of greater clinical success.

The Pathomechanisms of the Five Viscera series books are uniquely solid, practical learning and study texts that give students and professionals the knowledge necessary to instill confidence and provide a foundation for understanding disease mechanisms for each of the body's five solid organs—heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. Each text provides an in-depth analysis of the origins and progression of organ system disease according to Chinese medicine. Beginning with a lucid yet substantial presentation of theoretical ground work, the discussions include quotations, commentary, and discourse from historical texts as well as observations gathered from modern medical research. The information is invariably focused, orderly, methodical, and ultimately readable, shining light on obscurity and giving practical and reassuring guidance for both concept and clinical application.

Each pathomechanism is described in detail with reference to its historical development, then further differentiated by specific etiological factors. Each subsection discusses the origins and development of ideas relevant to this pathology, then gives the various symptoms and treatment strategies, as well as specific formulas, often with modifications to address the particular symptoms more directly. A review of relevant literature spans the entire range of traditional medical literature beginning with the early classics. Specific quotations are given, then each is examined and explained. This gives an excellent sense of the historical evolution as well as various clinical perspectives for each pathomechanism. Each section includes a summary and a useful table that differentiates by etiology and by specific symptoms.

Because an understanding of pathomechanisms for different organs is crucial to arriving at a clear prognosis, readers will find each book in this series an invaluable resource and guide to a logical way of comprehending disease and understanding the dynamics of disease prognosis.

The first section of Pathomechanisms of the Heart discusses repletion conditions of the heart, including qi stagnation, phlegm obstruction, blood stasis, heart repletion cold, heart repletion heat, dampness encumbering the heart, and water assailing the heart. The second section details vacuity conditions, including vacuity of heart qi, heart yang, heart blood, and heart yin.