A Walk Along the River:Transmitting a Medical Lineage(EP)

By Yu Guo-Jun, translated by Andrew Ellis, Craig Mitchell, and Michael FitzGerald.

Click here to read a preview of this book (foreword & first chapter – PDF)

A Walk Along the River is a collection of case studies from the practice of Yu Guo-Jun and his teacher, Jiang Er-Xun, a modern-day master of classic formulas. Dr. Yu is a prominent physician-scholar of traditional Chinese medicine in the city of Leshan in Sichuan province. In cases ranging from coughs, palpitations, and dizziness to vomiting, depression, and skin issues, Dr. Yu provides incisive and practical advice on the process of diagnosis. He also shares his experience and that of his lineage of teachers on how to use the rich materia medica of Chinese medicine to achieve the best results.

The case studies are presented as part of an ongoing workshop in the form of a dialogue between Dr. Yu and other experienced physicians. In lively back and forth discussion, questions are asked that would likely occur to practitioners in the West, and Dr. Yu is pressed to explain, and often defend, his methods and choices. This produces a more three-dimensional view of how skilled practitioners in modern China deal with a range of topics, from specific treatment approaches to the issues that occur when engaging the Chinese medical tradition.

A Walk Along the River is a rare view into the processes by which experienced practitioners think about medicine and how it is transmitted across the generations. It is a treasure trove of insights and treatment approaches including many that are not found in standard textbooks.

REVIEWS

“As I read A Walk Along the River, I felt as if I were sitting with Dr. Yu in his clinic. In a warm and personable style, he goes over each case in wonderful detail. The whole text is written in a conversational style with other physicians asking questions of Dr. Yu. Each time I found myself a bit confused, the very question I pondered would be asked and answered with precision. He gives us a true transmission of the kinds of details that make all the difference for clinical efficacy from his wealth of clinical experience. Practitioners will want to read it cover to cover to integrate every jewel.”

—Sharon Weizenbaum

“If you use Chinese herbs in decoction as a primary form of treatment, drop everything and run out to buy this book. WAIT! Better call ahead to make sure the bookshop still has a copy.”

—Steve Clavey, The Lantern

Softcover, 247 pgs.

Click here to read a preview of this book (foreword & first chapter – PDF)