Tongue Diagnosis in Chinese Medicine
by Giovanni Maciocia

Examination of the tongue, like the pulse, is one of the principal diagnostic methods in traditional Chinese medicine. This book - newly revised in 1995 - systematically describes each of the primary characteristics of the tongue (body color, shape and coating) and their significance in the clinic. It traces the historical development of tongue diagnosis and its relationship to externally- contracted disorders and the eight principals.

Featured in this revised edition are 59 color plates and accompanying case histories from the author's own practice. Other aspects of tongue diagnosis newly described in this edition include the integration of tongue and pulse diagnosis; the use of the tongue in diagnosing emotional problems; tongue diagnosis and herbal treatment; the tongue in prognosis; and special considerations regarding tongue diagnosis in children.

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"A thorough, clinically oriented exposition of tongue diagnosis."
--- American Journal of Acupuncture

"Will undoubtedly be the standard textbook on tongue diagnosis for many years to come."
--- The Journal of Chinese Medicine

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Giovanni Maciocia is an acupuncturist and medical herbalist in Amersham, England, where he has practiced since 1973. He studied acupuncture at the International College of Oriental Medicine in Sussex (Bachelor of Acupuncture, 1974) and the Nanjing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Diplomate, 1980, 1982, 1987). Since 1979 he has been a contributing editor to The Journal of Chinese Medicine, and a frequent lecturer on Chinese medicine in Europe and the United States. His other books include The Foundations of Chinese Medicine, The Practice of Chinese Medicine, and Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine.

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C O N T E N T S

• History of Chinese Tongue Diagnosis
• An Overview of Tongue Examination
• Tongue Signs: A Picture of the Internal Organs
• The Eight Principles in Tongue Diagnosis
• Tongue Spirit & Body Color
• Tongue Body Shape
• Tongue Coating
• Tongue Diagnosis in the Clinic
• Case Histories

Appendices

• Identification of Patterns According to the Six Stages, Four Levels and Three Burners
• Summary of Tongue Signs
• Tongues Signifying Dangerous Conditions

References

• Glossary
• Bibliography
• Index

This text provides clear instructions regarding examination of the tongue in the context of its relationship to the internal organs and the eight principles. It includes the detail of tongue spirit, body color, shape, and coating; case histories; and eight four-color pages of 40 plates. In the appendices following the text, the basic information is presented in relationship to organizational principles of the Shang Han Lun, the Wen Re Lun, and the Three Burners classification. A further appendix summarizes the principal points in tables. There is a discussion of tongue appearances that signify dangerous conditions, and a glossary of 27 Chinese terms most important to the text. There are 52 case histories and 59 color plates, as well as sections addressing integration of tongue and pulse diagnosis; the use of the tongue in diagnosing emotional problems; tongue diagnosis and herbal therapy; the use of the tongue in prognosis; and special considerations regarding tongue diagnosis in children.