Customer Reviews

Barefoot Doctor's Manual, A

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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).

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.

One day back in the 70's I had gone to the Veterans Administration on North Capital Street in Washington, D.C. and the appointment was held over until after lunch. So I wandered down the street and noticed that the Government Printing Office (GPO) had a book store there in their building. I went in and must have bought twenty books and pamphlets and such, but most dear to me was the first printing of the Barefoot Doctor's Manual printed right there where I was and as I recall the price was under twenty dollars. That book had been a reference for me until 1999 when I lost it during a move. I was delighted to finally find the Manual here on Amazon.com and ordered this republished version. If I had had my wits about me when I purchased this instant version, I never would have wasted my money. Perhaps I am spoiled because I had owned the original, hot off the press Manual from the GPO, but even though this instant book is merely a xeroxed copy of the majority of that original paperback marvel, this one is printed in a size one half to one third that of the original print. If you wear glasses you will need a new prescription when you're done reading this and if you don't you'll need an optometrist afterward. This isn't a manual, it's a miniature annoyance. I you can, consider waiting until you can find a true republishing of the original in the original format, because this version will sour you to the whole beauty of the Manual. I can just imagine some poor little hard to see Chinese doctor out in the villages trying to make a correct diagnosis under the light of a small coal oil lamp using this insult of a manual. Save your money and wait till you can find a good version like I am going to go do now. It is a great book in a readable version.