„Qi Bo said: “This is the Dao of needling: to promote the patient’s essence and spirit. If the essence and spirit (jing and shen) are not enhanced, and the will and intent (zhi yi yuan zhi de zhi, yisi de yi) are not controlled, then illness cannot be cured.

“In the present era, people’s essence is ruined and their spirit is gone, the nutritive and the protective qi cannot circulate fully. And why is this? (Because) there is no limit to eating and drinking, and (people ) worry ceaselessly: (Thus) essential qi is ruined, nutritive qi leaks out and protective qi is lost, (and the gradual end) result is loss of spirit and failure of the disease to be cured.”
(Steven Clavey; Fluid Physiology and Pathology in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chp. 5 Edema, pg. 140; Churchill Livingstone;  Su Wenn Chp. 14 §4)

I am not sure if anyone noticed. But the Tan Zhong is missing. It was there in the Su Wen in the eight chapter. But it seems to have vanished in thin air in the meantime.

Strange.

The Tan Zhong is not only an important system concept but also an old friend and companion of the Emperor, and most of the ancient classical acupuncturists. Some of us “younger” clinicians also had the honor of making its aquaintance.

In many of the translations of the Su Wen it has been replaced by a totally different organ without any explanation as to why. Its just gone. It is as if someone switched babys in the hospital.

Maybe that’s why the joy and elation often are missing in many treatments.

If you have any information about its whereabouts please inform your collegues and friends so that we can organize a rescue mission.

I just hope that it is not too late.

Donald