Barefoot Doctor's Manual, A [Hardcover]

Geographic Health Studies Staff (Author), Geographic Health Studies (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Chinese

Product Details

• Hardcover: 960 pages
• Publisher: Omnigraphics (June 16, 1905)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0780800095
• ISBN-13: 978-0780800090
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,410,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A truly unique opportunity to see holistic medicine in use., December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Barefoot Doctor's Manual, A (Hardcover)

After six years as an Army medic, this book still fascinates me. This book recounts traditional techniques and medicines that are actually still in common use in China. A rare lok at an effective form of medical treatment prevalent in countries other than our own. Interesting and entertaining for informational purposes, and an invaluable reference for anyone interested in holistic health, hebalism, acupuncture, and much more.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bought it in 1974, September 7, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Barefoot Doctor's Manual, A (Hardcover)

I bought a copy in 1974 when it was first published. The overview of Chinese and western medicine is very interesting. It was part of the reason that I became a paramedic. I especially liked their approach of understanding and respecting the patients belief system before recommending a course of action. The Barefoot Doctor has an arsenal of treatment options such as local plant preparations, western medicines, acupuncture, acupressure, cupping, etc. If the patient believes that herb tea will help then the Barefoot Doctor prepares the appropriate brew for their condition. I like the comprehensive listing of acupuncture points (many that I have effectively incorporated in massage therapy).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars fascinating glimpse of China's East-West model of healthcare, September 4, 2001

By 

Timothy H. Mansfield (Long Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Barefoot Doctor's Manual, A (Hardcover)

The first 3 chapters are very brief -- organ systems, hygiene, and diagnostic techniques, all in 70 pages.

Then there are 70 pages on general massage and acupuncture therapy, (a grand total of) 3 pages on birth control, 300+ pages on herbal and Western treatments for specific ailments, and a 400-page reference on identifying and using Chinese herbs.

The most interesting thing about the book from a Westerner's perspective, perhaps, is the complete integration of the Eastern and Western diagnostic and treatment modalities. Diseases are classified as "hot" or "cold", the tongue is examined minutely (a chief clue in Chinese-medicine diagnoses), the meridian-system is described alongside the overview of standard Western physiology.

The didactic emphasis is on disease as merely an initial factor in upsetting the body's natural balance, or perhaps more accurately, an opportunistic intruder upon an already out-of-balance system. Treatment might entail a frontal attack on the factor but more often it seems to entail encouraging the body to regain its balance. The Western notion of balanced systems -- homeostasis -- is only a part of the balance in question. Homeostasis is understood as a purely physical process, but in Chinese medicine the mysterious flow of qi energy is even more important than the flow of physical fluids. The completely matter-of-fact presentation of such concepts which most Western doctors would consider mysticism is the main charm of this tome.