Asian Medical Systems

Asian Medical Systems: A Comparative Study explores the enduring relevance and evolution of traditional medical practices in Asia, emphasizing their interplay with modern cosmopolitan medicine. The book examines three major medical traditions—Chinese, South Asian (Ayurveda), and Mediterranean (Yunani)—that developed independently yet share foundational principles such as humoral theories of balance and equilibrium. These systems, formalized between the fifth century B.C. and the fifth century A.D., established authoritative texts, professional standards, and ethical codes that continue to influence contemporary practices. Despite the dominance of cosmopolitan medicine, rooted in scientific advancements like germ theory and modern surgery, traditional medicine in many Asian countries coexists with modern approaches, supported by educational institutions, research bodies, and professional organizations. This pluralism is particularly evident in nations like China and India, where both systems are often integrated into healthcare delivery.

The book highlights the pluralistic and adaptive nature of Asian medical systems, which provide insights into how traditional and modern practices complement each other. It challenges the perception of cosmopolitan medicine as uniquely scientific, arguing that Chinese, Ayurvedic, and Yunani systems also exhibit rational, systematic methods grounded in empirical observation and theory. By framing cosmopolitan medicine as "transcultural" rather than exclusively Western, the study underscores its global integration while recognizing the cultural, ecological, and social dimensions of health in Asia. Through multidisciplinary analysis, the work illuminates how medical systems evolve and intersect, offering a nuanced perspective on their coexistence and their potential for addressing contemporary health needs.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1976.