Along with the legends about epidemic demons, China has developed over the centuries a medical approach to epidemic diseases based on the teachings of Huang Di Nei Jing ( Huangdi's Internal Classic), Nan Jing ( Classic of Difficult Issues), and Shang Han Lun ( Treatise on Cold Damage). Other doctors and scientists participated in this evolution of knowledge, like Wang Shuhe (), Ge Hong (), Chao Yuanfang (), Sun Simiao (), and Liu Wansu (). However, it was in the 17th century, after the great break of the Song, Jin, and Yuan eras that an innovative spirit, Wu Youke ( 1582-1652) first foresaw the existence of microorganisms as we know them now. His Wen Yi Lun ( Treatise on Pestilence) foreshadows an original approach to epidemic diseases, particularly emerging infectious diseases of the 21st century. After them, traditional Chinese medicine developed a comprehensive method of diagnosing and treating of these diseases (Epidemic Diseases Theory ) within the School of Heat Diseases (). In a third article, we will examine some applications in the treatment of the SARS 2003-2004 epidemic () and the current COVID-19 () pandemic.
Keywords: COVID-19; Chinese medical history; SARS; Sun Zi Bing Fa (Art of War); Wen Yi Lun (Treatise on Pestilence); Wu Youke (); epidemic diseases theory.
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