Chinese translation of "nerve" and its influences on research of meridians and collaterals / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT

Authors investigated the whole introduction and translation course of the word "nerve" into China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Qing dynasty(1644-1911) and the Republic of China (1912-1949), when western medicine was introduced into the East, as well as its influences on the cognition and researches of meridians and collaterals. The result shows that "nerve" was once translated into "Xijin" and "Naoqijin" in the Ming and Qing dynasties. Only until the period of the late Qing dynasty and the early stage of the Republic of China, the word "Shenjing", which is known as the unique Chinese translation of nerve nowadays, was introduced from Japan. From that time on, the Chinese physicians started to explore the relation between nerves and meridians, which led to the transform of the academic methodology on essence of meridian. Thus, profound as well as prolong influences were made on study of meridians and collaterals until nowadays.