Anatomic Structures and Chinese Medicine

In the early years, CM also studied anatomic structure which has been described as blood-fluid, bones-tendons etc and developed the earliest surgical treatment. “The Causes of Many Illnesses”, a 50-volume book written about 600 AD, is the earliest medical treatise in China and it documented early practices of bowel resection, abortion, tooth extraction surgery, and other surgical operations. The earliest chemical drugs originated in CM as well. Through the course of alchemy, ancient Chinese scientists discovered many new compounds, refined through years of rich experience. Some external applications, which have been passed down including plaster, patching, as well as topical medication used in dermatology and surgery, are still in use today.