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The medical books that CHENG Dan ' an once studied and collected are the significant physical evidence of his educational experiences of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture. Some of these books are stored in Jiangsu Museum of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Through systematic collation, it is found that the collection of books is closely related to his experiences in education, teaching and medicine communication. Aimed to the research and education, these books serve for the clinical effects of acupuncture, cover the knowledge in both Chinese and western medicine. CHENG Dan ' an 's collection of books is of diversity and global. It reflects that CHENG Dan ' an emphasizes the classics, places the the equal importance on Chinese and western medicine and assimilates new knowledge of the philosophy on traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture education. It enriches the biographical information of CHENG Dan ' an and has great significance for the today's education of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture by learning from the past.

The paper introduces professor GAO Shu-zhong 's understanding on "seeking yin from yang needling method" and its clinical application on the basis of " qi street" and "four seas" theories. Through professor GAO's clinical practice for years, he integrates and extendes the theories of "seeking yin from yang ", " qi street" and "four seas" in Huangdi Neijing ( The Yellow Emperor ' s Inner Classic ). In this specific acupuncture method, in reference with the theories of " qi street" and "four seas", acupuncture is exerted on yang part of body, e.g. the back and lumber region to treat the diseases of yin parts, e.g. the chest and abdomen, which is differentiated as yin-yang imbalance in pathogenesis. In order to fully explain the clinical curative effect of "seeking yin from yang needling method", the common diseases in clinic, e.g. the disorders of heart, spleen and stomach systems, as well as the gynecology are taken as examples in the paper.

To sort out and summarize the evaluationmethods on the efficacy by acupuncture and moxibustion in ancient literature. The evaluation methods by ancient medical experts could be divided into two categories: one is according to the change of patient's conditions before and after treatment, including the subjective symptoms, the information getting from the four examination methods in TCM; the other is according to the characteristics of different interventions. For example, evaluating acupuncture by the "arrival of qi " "getting qi "; evaluating pricking collaterals-bloodletting therapy by the colour of blood; evaluating moxibustion by the skin colour and the feeling on the suppurated sore. This paper analyzed and discussed the particularity of acupuncture and moxibustion and the historical and technical reasons embodied in these methods, and then further expounded the enlightenment significance of these methods for clinical evaluation research for the contemporary acupuncture and moxibustion.

Through mining and collecting the compiling thought of Miraculous Pivot (《》) and Plain Questions (《》), which were handed down from ancient times, it is discovered that these two ancient works refer to two components of one integrity book. With regard to the character and relationship, Miraculous Pivot is the main section and the essence, focusing on theoretic innovation. "Writing" is predominated in its statement. Plain Questions is the supplementary opinions to the main section, containing clinical application and material collection. "Compiling" is predominated in its statement. Both of two works were completed between the late Western Han Dynasty and the Eastern Han Dynasty. The author was a leading scholar and had worked in a national library for a long time. Before the Song Dynasty, Plain Questions had been widely circulated, while the spreading of Miraculous Pivot was limited. In the process of inheritance, some of the content of these two works were lost or supplemented, and the chapters were disarranged or adjusted artificially. But, in general, the original is not distorted seriously, especially the essential section, Miraculous Pivot .

The literature study and physical measurement were adopted to analyze the origin and relevant texture information of a box of French golden acupuncture needles stored in Yunnan University of CM. In 1901 the French vice-consul George Soulié de Morant went to China, based on his Chinese linguistic skills, he studied with several Chinese medicine masters during that time. After returning to France, he researched clinic acupuncture with western medical doctors and published articles and books on it, which led him to be a Nobel Prize nominee. He made a box of acupuncture needles, collected by Yunnan University of CM, in which nine needles made by the gold-copper and silver-zinc alloy, decorated with ruby and sapphire representing tonification and dispersion. The parameter of material, thickness and length match well to the description in Zhengjiufa ( Chinese Acupuncture ). Being the golden box with needles of its kind in the whole world, it has more value of medicine, education, historical and cultural relics than jewellery, which is the wisdom and innovation stimulated by ancient Chinese medical theory in the western world.

It is believed that acupuncture science of Buddhist medicine has a long history and great characteristics after the investigation, research and analysis on the historic literature of acupuncture in Chinese Buddhist Canon. The writers tried to give the statements from 4 aspects. 1. Science of acupuncture in the time of Buddha. Firstly, the Buddhist acupuncture was mentioned in the time of Buddha, including substantial acupuncture, finger acupuncture and mental acupuncture. The substantial acupuncture refers to metal needle, plant needle, stone needle, bone needle, etc. Finger acupuncture means taking finger as a needle. Mental acupuncture implies that the Buddhism idea is considered in acupuncture. Secondly, the Buddhist medicine is the combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine. The needle box had become the necessity of the medical scholars in traveling. 2. Achievements of medical Buddhists in dynasties. In the paper, 33 medical Buddhists were listed, such as AN Shigao, YU Fakai , etc. They made the great contributions to the development of Buddhist medicine of acupuncture. 3. The characteristics of Buddhist acupuncture in clinical diagnosis and treatment. 1) The combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine and this mutual supplementation; 2) Mutual treatment of acupuncture and psychological therapy; 3) Remarkable therapeutic effects of specific acupuncture techniques, such as Yan needling technique and acupotomy; 4) Medical cases of Buddhist acupuncture; and 5) Precaution of misdiagnosis and prevention of mistreatment. 4. The penetrating statement of acupuncture techniques by the Buddhists in dynasties. 1) The cause-effect theory is introduced in treatment and diagnosis by medical Buddhists. The effectiveness is achieved through causality system. 2) Cataract is treated with gold needle. 3) The medical master is not qualified if nothing to know on acupuncture. The authors believe that the substantial acupuncture techniques need to be further studied and the non-substantial one requests us to be perceived.

WANG Zhizhong , born in the Southern Song Dynasty, was proficient in TCM theory and enjoyed summarizing proved prescriptions. During his spare time, he wrote Experience on Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy with scientific writing structure, wide quote of references and attached medical reports, which modified and enriched the content of acupoint therapy. This book played an important role as a link between past and future; it included a considerable number of moxibustion methods and was considered as the greatest medical achievement before Song Dynasty. In addition, this book contained the greatest number of proved prescriptions among the ancient acupuncture books, so its academic value was self-evident. However, when examining and correcting the acupoints, WANG ignored the fact that acupuncture physicians had different clinical experience and their understanding on the body structure was discrepant, so the contradictions of location and indications of acupoints appeared in the book.

Numerology has a long history in China and has the profound impacts on every academic field in TCM, with acupuncture involved. In this paper, the impacts on acupuncture were discussed in different aspects such as the numbers of meridians, the length of meridian, the time taboo of acupuncture, acupuncture manipulation and time acupuncture. It was found that numerology had laid the critical impact on acupuncture and had the profound imprint nowadays. It is of great significance to study the numerology theory in its impacts on acupuncture, in the exploration on the theories behind acupuncture as well as the comprehensive understanding of acupuncture.

Mr ZHENG Yugui, a distinguished acupuncturist in Qilu area, is one of the successors of Chengjiang acupuncture school in Shandong province. Through collecting the papers and works concerning Mr ZHENG, the academic thoughts are summarized, including careful and clear differentiation of syndrome, specific and precise selection of acupoints, reinforcing and reducing methods based on qi, and gentle and soft manipulation of needles. He has discovered new acupoints such as Fengyan point, etc. He also focuses on moxibustion and creates Taiyang moxibustion method. In addition, to develop acupuncture education, Mr ZHENG has played a deep and important role in spreading Chengjiang acupuncture school in Shandong province.

In 1962, Bonghan Kim in North Korea published a report on a new vascular system in mammals, which he claimed as the acupuncture meridian. He soon named it the Bonghan System. Between 1962 and 1965, he published five reports, with detailed descriptions on the system. Kim also described the self-regenerating nature of a unique cell type Sanals in the system and these cells are now confirmed to be a type of stem cells. According to his findings, the system appears to have vital roles in maintaining mammalian lives. Kim disappeared in around 1965 and the research on this system also completely stopped. In 2002, Kwang-Sup Soh reported re-discovery of the system and, since then, his team has been leading the research on the system. The Soh team has confirmed many of Kim's findings to be valid, although so many of Kim's results are still to be verified. In 2010, the system was renamed the Primo Vascular System (PVS). Soh and researchers trained by Soh have also been reporting new scientific facts on the system. The PVS exists throughout the entire body, including inside the blood and lymphatic vessels. Recent reports revealed more evidence for it to be the acupuncture meridian, where some acupuncture therapies are applied for the blood pressure control. Thus, the PVS is expected to have roles in the oxygen transport in tissues. Many study results also suggest that the PVS may have roles in body homeostasis and regeneration. This article chronologically reviews Kim's scientific findings on the Bonghan System, which were verified by the PVS scientists (after 2000), and also the new findings reported by the PVS scientists.

After being introduced to Japan, the Chinese acupuncture and massage therapy has changed a lot, in which the influence aroused by the blind practitioners cannot be ignored. Through analyzing the development and the transition of the blind acupuncture and massage industry in Japan, it is found that the tube needle technique, changeable acupoints concept, technical deviation and the importance on acupoints rather than meridians are still existed commonly today, which are introduced by the blind acupuncture and massage practitioners, the special group in Japan. In the process of development, the interaction with the governmental strategy has played the essential role in the consolidation of the above features.

The brief discussion is introduced in the paper on the academic thought of professor YAN Jie, the contemporary famous TCM doctor, on functional dyspepsia treated with acupuncture and moxibustion. Treatment based on "the three-regional acupoint selection" is applied to professor YAN's treatment for functional dyspepsia, in which, acupuncture is on Sibai (ST 2), Liangmen (ST 21) and Zusanli (ST 36), and the supplementary points are added accordingly. The academic thought is described as the combination of acupuncture and moxibustion based on strengthening healthy qi, supplemented by soothing the liver and psychological counseling. Also, an example is provided.

The academic contribution of HUA Tuo to acupuncture, such as HUA Tuo Jiaji points, the drawing of viscera and channels, "diagnosis by observing the eyes", focusing on the clinical application of moxibustion, being the first to treat headache with Geshu (BL 17), selecting essential acupoints and paying attention to spirit management, etc. were summarized in this paper. It was believed that HUA Tuo made an outstanding contribution to acupuncture, which still had important guiding significance and academic value for clinical acupuncture and research work.

Acupuncture scientization was a consensus of most of acupuncture scholars who had long-term perspectives in the 20th century, among them Ms. ZHULian was the important one. Ms. ZHU Lian built a systemic new acupuncture" academic structure in practice and theory aspects. At the same time, as the main architect of Institute of Acupuncture-moxibustion of China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ms. ZHU Lian was the first one who began to carry out the acupuncture clinical trail and laboratory experiment in modern way, which meant "acupuncture therapy" was transformed into "acupuncture science" by Ms. ZHULian's endeavor.

The development of Chinese acupuncture in Algeria and realistic working status in recent years is in- troduced. From five aspects, including general condition of acupuncture in Algeria, clinical application and analysis, of acupuncture, promotion and publicity of acupuncture, existing problem and deficiency, and awards and honor, the status quo and progress of Chinese acupuncture in Algeria are discussed in detail.

Through collecting and sorting of works, literature and medical cases regarding professor ZHANG Tangfa, it is found that his acupuncture academic ideology and clinical treatment of syndrome differentiation can be summarized as: tracing the source and paying attention to basic theory, especially the meridian theory and conception vessel and governor vessel; focusing on acupuncture manipulation and emphasizing acupuncture basic skills; highly valuing treating spirit, acquiring and maintaining needling sensation; underlining "three differentiations" that is consisted of syndrome differentiation, disease differentiation and meridian differentiation to guide the clinical prescriptions of acupoints; exploring and ingenious use of scalp acupuncture; being concerned on research of difficult and complicated diseases; advocating comparative studies to optimize the clinical treatment plan; proposing the combination of Chinese and western medicine, including diagnosis, treatment and basic theory, to improve the clinical therapeutic effects of acupuncture.

In the initial stage (1950s) of the establishment of the People's Republic of China, the Pavlov's theory played an important influence on Chinese biology and medical science fields. At that time, many schools or colleges of traditional Chinese medicine were set up one after another, the first edition of teaching materials or textbook was complete, and a lot of advanced training courses and training classes were developed. In that specific period of "acupuncture scientification", Mr. MA Ji-xing, a professor from China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, is a representative scholar who employed Pavlov's theory to make a scientific explanation about the underlying physiological mechanisms of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy. For example, he employed nerve network or nerve system to explain topical acupuncture stimulation and distal stimulation to induce local effect or distal curative effect, employed the cutaneous-visceral reflex to explain the therapeutic effect of acu-moxibustion for visceral disorders, used the viscera-cutaneous reflex to explain the tender point (sensitized region) or Ashi-point, used the "predominant factor mechanism" or excitation transfer of the stimulated non-sensitized cutaneous region close to the diseased locus to explain the pain-relief of acupuncture stimulation, used the stimulation strength, duration, frequency and distance (to the locus) to explain the needling reinforcing or reducing effect, and so on and so forth. He wrote many articles and books about acupuncturology, one of which was named Jianyao Zhenjiu Xue (Concise Acupuncturology), a well-known demonstration teaching material for advanced training courses, inducing a significant influence on the acu-moxibustion field in both academic field and clinical practice. Looking back this period of history may provide a helpful reference for current research on academic development of acupuncturology.

In view of the public academic papers of Professor LIU Zhicheng, his academic track is analyzed, including validating effect, exploring mechanism, improving efficacy, expanding disease variety, deepening mechanism, optimizing program and seeking breakthrough. On this basis, combined with the self-character of TCM, the potential path for the academic cultivation of young scholars is refined: focusing on clinical practice, confirming clinical efficacy, deepening mechanism exploration, improving clinical therapeutic effect, optimizing clinical program, extending clinical disease spectrum, inheriting, seeking, breaking through, innovating, expecting and topping over. It is believed that during the academic cultivation, the importance is to form the stable research direction and continuity, organize research team, absorb actively new knowledge and thoughts, and adopt multidisciplinary cross and coordination so as to achieve the greater success ultimately.

There are many eminent acupuncture masters in modern times in the regions of Zhejiang province, which has developed the acupuncture schools of numerous characteristics and induces the important impacts at home and abroad. Through the literature collection on the acupuncture schools in Zhejiang and the interviews to the parties involved, it has been discovered that the acupuncture manipulation techniques of acupuncture masters in modern times are specifically featured. Those techniques are developed on the basis of Neijing (Internal Classic), Jinzhenfu (Ode to Gold Needle) and Zhenjiu Dacheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion). No matter to obey the old maxim or study by himself, every master lays the emphasis on the research and interpretation of classical theories and integrates the traditional with the modern. In the paper, the acupuncture manipulation techniques of Zhejiang acupuncture masters in modern times are stated from four aspects, named needling techniques in Internal Classic, feijingzouqi needling technique, penetrating needling technique and innovation of acupuncture manipulation.

Through the collection of Practice of acupuncture and moxibustion written by CHEN Jingwen, the acupuncture master in the Republic of China, the academic characteristics on acupuncture and moxibusiton were analyzed. The literature comparison method was adopted to compare the works of LUO Zhaoju, ZENG Tianzhi and LI Wenxian, etc. at the same period. It was discovered that CHEN Jingwen was the medical master who systematicly brought up the theory of acupoint properties earlier in the modern times. Classifying drugs based on acupoints was his academic feature. Additionally, the compatibility therapy of Chinese medicine was introduced to explain the essential ideas on the acupoints combination. The treatment was determined on the basis of zangxiang theory and the reinforcing and reducing therapy of acupuncture was emphasized in the determination of treatment and prescription. CHEN Jingwen's theory of acupoint property had been stressed and spread among the medical scholars in the Republic of China and he had made the beneficial exploration for the development of modern acupuncture and moxibustion therapy.

Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu (1385-1468?), the author of Cerrahiyetü'l-Haniyye (Imperial Surgery), was a distinguished Ottoman Turkish surgeon. The first illustrated Turkish surgical textbook, Cerrahiyetü'l-Haniyye consisted of three chapters (ie, cauterisation treatments, surgical procedures and fractures and dislocations). Although the main source of the book was Al-Tasrif (Textbook of Surgery) by Albucasis (Abu al-Qasim al-Zahrawi; 936-1013 AD), Sabuncuoğlu added much new information, his clinical experiences and suggestions. The original illustrations and human figures made Cerrahiyetü'l-Haniyye the first illustrated medical textbook in Turkish and Islamic medicine literature. Cerrahiyetü'l-Haniyye was also a valuable source for acupuncturists. Some new sections and additions revealed that Sabuncuoğlu had knowledge of Chinese medicine. In four sections of Cerrahiyetü'l-Haniyye (ie, toothache, haemorrhoids, eczema and dermatophytosis) Sabuncuoğlu described acupuncture techniques and point locations. It is likely that the Chinese medicine content of Cerrahiyetü'l-Haniyye was derived from Central Asian roots of Anatolian Turkish people., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Professor XIA Shouren is a famous acupuncture master in China and has devoted his life to clinical practice, teaching and scientific study of TCM. In his 50 years of medical career, he has studied Chinese and western medicine, innovated ancient masters' experiences, adhered to the theory of "less but highly-effective needling", specified at genjie points and deeply explored the specificity of acupoints. Additionally, the acupuncture stfudy has been firstly conducted in the diagnosis and treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in China and his own unique academic thought has been formed. Professor XIA Shouren makes the contribution to the theory, practice and inheritance of acupuncture and moxibustion.

This paper aims at discussing the clinical characteristics and experiences of ZHU Lian, the renowned contemporary acupuncture master from the following three aspects: "characteristics of clinical manipulations and techniques", "thoughts on diagnosis and treatment" and "examples of clinical cases". The study has shown that ZHU Lian invented the slow insertion technique by rotating needle and the embedding needle technique, improved moxibustion technique with moxa roll and proposed the three keys on the treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion, as well as discovered new acupoints for treatment. The pioneering and distinguished achievements she con tributed play the great demonstrating and driving role in the development of clinical study and practice of acupuncture and moxibustion.

De qi is a concept most often associated with patient experiences during needling in acupuncture treatment. A review of the early historical literature on acupuncture shows that texts tended to describe de qi and its associated concept, qi zhi more in terms of practitioner-based phenomena and that this is something more in the realm of the experienced practitioner (i.e., it is skill based). Many modern authors in Asia and the West also describe the importance of practitioner-based experiences in the de qi of acupuncture, further implying that this may lie at the heart of the treatment effects of acupuncture. A review of scientific studies on de qi shows that qualitative studies have focused almost exclusively on patient-based aspects of de qi while quantitative studies have focused exclusively on them. There thus exists a gap in current research on the phenomenon of de qi that possibly reveals weakness in the wider study of acupuncture. It is important that precise qualitative studies of the practitioner-based aspects of de qi begin soon and as they become better understood, quantitative research also is initiated. This research will not only better inform clinical trials and physiologic research of acupuncture in general but could contribute significantly to rethinking of how to train practitioners.

The history of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) was reviewed through summarizing the background and process of the establishment of WFAS. The establishment background was explained in different aspects, named the recovery of acupuncture-Moxibustion in the world, the successive setup of world acupuncture-Moxibustion organizations, the divergences of International Association of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, striding forward of China reform and opening policy as well as the attention of the World Health Organization (WHO), etc. The establishment of WFAS was introduced on the proposal from eight countries, the important time of the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in China, 1984, divergences and consensus as well as the final phase. The official establishment of WFAS represents the global benefits of acupuncture-Moxibustion colleagues. It is the international organization of acupuncture and moxibustion, contributing to the promotion of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world.

Sheng's acupuncture manipulation at bone-nearby acupoints is a set of needling manipulation of the chief physician of TCM, SHENG Xie-sun, summarized through his over 50 years clinical experiences and on the basis of Internal Classic. Regarding this manipulation, on the premise of acupoint selection based on syndrome differentiation, the acupoints close to bone are possibly selected and punctured, with the needle tip toward bone edge, and followed by the technique to achieve reducing purpose. Clinically, the significant immediate analgesia can be achieved in pain disorders such as headache and toothache. Professor Sheng thought, corresponding to the location of needle insertion and needling depth, the tissue layers of needle tip passing through should be considered specially. The site of needle insertion should be changeable so as to ensure the needle tip reaching the bone. This manipulation for analgesia provides a certain guide for acupuncture study, especially for the mechanism study on acupuncture analgesia.

From cooperation between World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Societies (WFAS) and World Health Organization, works of academics and standardization, acupuncture-moxibustion education, technique service, organization development, etc., the 27-year development of WFAS since 1987 was summarized and reviewed in details. The growth of WFAS witnesses and promotes the development of acupuncture and moxibustion in the world, so by learning the experience and lessons, WFAS could have a wider path, becoming a core organization for communicating and promoting the development of acupuncture, even the traditional medicine in the world.

ZHU Lian is a deceased famous acupuncture and Moxibustion specialist, the first director and the founder of institute of Acupuncture-Moxibustion of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences. This article discusses the thought and idea of education and teaching of acupuncture-moxibustion from the following three aspects: diversified education and training mode, teaching idea of new acupuncture-moxibustion with a lot of characteristics, and the founding of professional acupuncture-moxibustion college. All above have both distinct characteristics of the times and positively enlightening significance of reality.

The academic thoughts of Lingnan acupuncture and moxibustion have been an essential part of Lingnan medicine. By exploration and arrangement of Lingnan medicine and books, journals and literatures regarding acupuncture and moxibustion, the ancient and modern acupuncturists and their academic contributions in Lingnan area were reviewed. As a result, the number of Lingnan acupuncturists and their works was low before Qing Dynasty, while from the Republic of China era to People's Republic of China, a considerable amount of acupuncturists emerged with quite a lot of works. By exploration and arrangement of Lingnan acupuncturists and their works and academic opinion, the acupuncture-moxibustion school characterized by Lingnan could be formed and developed.

During professor SHAO Jing-ming's academic research and medical practice, his academic opinion of focusing spirit is gradually developed. In terms of nurturing the spirit, attention should be paid on persistence as well as everyday health maintenance and exercise to nurture the spirit of physician. In terms of clinical diagnosis and treatment, patients' psychology, employment and life status should be observed and experienced, which could bring more methods to take essential care of patients' spirit. The treatment should work with psychological counseling, advocating that based on patients' qi and spirit, various forms of treatment methods should be properly used, such as acupuncture or moxibustion or combination of acupuncture and medicine, along with simple acupoint selection and harmony medication. Before clinical treatment of acupuncture, calming the mind is critically emphasized to make a clear diagnosis. During the acupuncture, calming and focusing the mind is necessary as well as emphasizing the details, so acupuncture could be integrated with Chi Gong to create a new warming-sensation technique. In a word, the academic opinion of focusing spirit is shedding an inspiring light upon further study.

Mr. MA Ji-xing has devoted himself into the study of acupuncture medical history for more than 70 years. As a result, a great work of Zhenjiuxue Tongshi (see text), History of Acupuncture-Moxibustion) has been completed. The author has expensively studied for history of acupuncture medicine in time and space. Base on abundant historical materials, deliberate textual research as well as strategically situated academic view, it is considered as a masterpiece of acupuncture on real significance. It is worthwhile to note that the book has a systematic and profound explanation on Bian-stone therapy, unearthed literature relics of acupuncture, the bronze figure or illustration of acupoint as well as special topics of Japan and Korea acupuncture history. Filled several gaps of the field, and explored some significant new paths of study, it laid the groundwork for the profound study and unscramble of traditional acupuncture theory as well as the investigation of the academic history, which is considered to have a profound and persistent influence. The careful sorting and profound digging of many distinguish thoughts and methods of Mr. MA Ji-xing in the study of acupuncture medical history has significant meaning in references and enlightenment of the future research on acupuncture medical history.

Under the influence of Chinese medicine scientization, Chengjiang Acupuncture School, which was originated in the Republic of China (1912 - 1949), has also undergone a series of scientific practice. The Chengjiang School established scientific research, education and medical organizations such as the Research Society of China Acupuncture-Moxibustion, China Acupuncture-Moxibustion School, Training School of China Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Sanatorium of Acupuncture-Moxibustion. Zhenjiu Zazhi (Journal of Acupuncture-Moxibustion) was established, and monographs and textbooks such as Zhongguo Zhenjiu Zhiliaoxue (Therapeutics of Chinese Acupuncture-Moxibustion) and Zhongguo Zhenjiuxue Jiangyi (Lectures on Chinese Acupuncture-Moxibustion) were published. Meanwhile, based on clinical practice, large members of acupuncture personnel with scientific literacy emerged. Therefore, it is held that the scientization of Chengjiang School has performed a profound influence on the development of modern acupuncture-moxibustion.

Through study on Bianque Shenying Zhenjiu Yulong Jing (Bianque's Classic of Effective Acupuncture Prescriptions), acupuncture experiences and ideology of WANG Guo-rui, an acupuncture physician of the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), is discussed in this article. Inherited and carried forward DOU's acupuncture theory, WANG Guo-rui encouraged to use experiential points and to expand extra points. Penetrating needling method was created, and the application of acupoints according to needling opportunities and seasonal factors were enriched by him. Great importance was also attached on treatment according to differentiation of syndromes, which including the simultaneous acupuncture and moxibustion, simultaneous reinforcing and reducing, reducing after reinforcing, reinforcing after reducing, predomination of reducing and predomination of reinforcing. The flexible treating methods are still extensively adopted in clinic nowadays. WANG Guo-rui is a master of clinical acupuncture who made great contribution to the development of acupuncture and moxibustion.

The academic origin and characteristics of medical families of acupuncture-moxibustion in northern Zhejiang Province were explored in this paper. With acupuncture-moxibustion characteristic of medical families in northern Zhejiang Province such as the LING (see text), the YAN (see text), the SHI (see text) and the SHENG (see text) analyzed and arranged, it was found out that taking the Internal Canon of Medicine as theory basis, their academic thoughts comprehensively absorbed acupuncture-moxibustion theories in all ages, and they continuously made innovations through constant practices, resulting in academic thoughts that focusing on application of acupuncture-moxibustion in clinic, using moxibustion for deficient illness and adopting acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese herbs for severe and acute patients. The academic thoughts of medical families of acupuncture and moxibustion in northern Zhejiang Province are featured by unique acupoint selection and ma nipulation, thorough moxibustion methods and combined application of Chinese herbs and acupuncture-moxibustion, which is a clinical system of diagnosis and treatment with typical Jiangnan features.

The development history, education, legislation, charge and institutes of acupuncture and moxibustion in Singapore are introduced in this article. Acupuncture and moxibustion has been developed in Singapore since 1840. Nowadays there are three universities that set up standard Chinese medicine courses and two acupuncture-moxibustion associations. Legislation of acupuncture and moxibustion is published in 2000. The acupuncture and moxibustion is applied for approximately 50 kinds of diseases. The acupuncture and moxibustion is at one's own expense in public or private institutions, but cheap or completely free in charity.

To explore the origin and development of modern acupuncture in Hong Kong, and to find its relationship with the over-sea dissemination of Chengjiang Acupuncture School. Through study on the related literature and interview of experts, the origin of acupuncture education and academic research associations in 1930's to 1950's were investigated. The approaches of the international dissemination of acupuncture by those associations and their representatives were also studied. And it is held that the popularization of acupuncture in Hong Kong in mid-20th century were mainly due to the effort of CHENG Dan-an and his followers. And at the same time, because of the geographic and time factors, Hong Kong is taken as an important place for the international dissemination of acupuncture from the mainland of China before the opening and reforming.

Mr. HU Yin-pei, who is good at treating difficult and complicated syndromes of internal medicine, gynaecology and paediatrics with golden needles, is a famous acupuncture specialist of modern times in Beijing. He attaches great importance on integration of acupuncture and materia medica. It is held that acupuncture and herbal medicine can complement mutual promotion as the same function, mutual supplement as the different action, restrict each other as the opposite function and regulate different syndromes respectively so as to enhance the therapeutic effect and bring their own advantages into full play. He focuses on acupuncture manipulation, and puts forward four key points of accuracy, gentle and fast, stable as well as effective. It is held that the root cause of diseases should be given explored, differentiation of syndromes should be based on differentiation according to meridians, and diagnosis should be as accurate as possible. Selection of points is refined with key points, and the application is flexible with obvious therapeutic effects.

Taking Doctor HUANG Shi-ping as the representative, the school of Huang's golden needle is based on Chinese martial art. Golden needles are adopted as main tool. Attaching great importance on the combination of acupuncture and moxibustioin, it is also characterized with penetrating needling with long needles. Through the development of three generations, it once outshone other schools in the field of acupuncture, and became famous all over the world. It made great contribution to the development of the course of acupuncture. However, with the development of the history, the form of acupuncture education as well as apparatus were all undergone an unified reform. Therefore, Doctor HUANG Shi-ping's acupuncture school be lost gradually.

Nomination, apparatus, manipulating techniques, indications and theoretical basis of 14 single moxibustion styles including Chuijiu (insufflating moxibustion), Dianjiubi Jiu (pecking moxibustion with a pen-like stool), Jiujia Xunjiu (moxibustion with frame), Tongmai Wenyang Jiu (moxibustion for removing meridian obstructions and warming up yang), QifuJiu (moxibustion on umbilicus and abdomen), Xiongyang Jiu (moxibustion on the chest for reinforcing yang qi), Toujing Jiu (moxibustion on head and neck), Anmo Jiu (moxibustion with massage), Zhiti Jiu (moxibustion on extremities), Guan Jiu (moxibustion with a tube), Zu Jiu (moxibustion on foot), Wenzhenjiu (warm needling), Huanong Jiu (festering moxibustion) and Gewu Jiu (indirect moxibustion) are expounded in this article. And 10 compound moxibustion with the combination of 2 or more than 2 above mentioned single moxibustion style under the instruction of combination of local and distal points, combination of upper and lower points as well as combination of frontal and back points are also stated. It suggests to classify moxibustion into categories of festering moxibustion and mild moxibustion, indirect moxibustion and direct moxibustion, and to classify moxibustion apparatus into the categories of treating tools and assisting tools.

Through retrieving of literature relevant to LIU Zhang-jie, his practicing and teaching experience in Quanzhou city are investigated, and his modern education thoughts are summarized in this article as well. It is found that LIU attached great importance on both apprenticeship and classroom teaching; he highlighted the theory of meridians and the classic of Treaties on Febrile Diseases; recommending selection of less points, and focusing on finger force during practice, he prefered to combine acupuncture with materia medica. He was practical and realistic, and never hide his mistakes. He also brought along and passed his ideas of acupuncture teach to his students. The medical ethic of SUN Si-miao was the one he advocated. He also spared no effort to write books and teach materials which played important roles in the spread of Chengjiang Acupuncture School.

As a famous TCM physician and acupuncturist in our country, professor GUAN Ji-duo, who was determined to study medicine and save life from a child, has been engaged in teaching and clinical work of acupuncture and moxibustion for more than sixty years. With a lifetime writing and tireless teaching, he has made every effect, from small clue to see what is coming, to be well-versed in the learning of both ancient and modern times and learn widely from others' points to devote all his life for the development and innovation of acupuncture and moxibustion. With deep study on syndrome differentiation of meridians, he has focused on acupoint combination, advocated on painless insertion of needle, and made "smokeless moxa-stick" to form a unique academic thought. At the age of more than 90, professor GUAN still insists on outpatient clinic, which is highly respected.

HUANG Zong-xu, who studied from Mr. Cheng Dan-an, the founder of Chengjiang acupuncture school, is a famous acupuncturist of Fujian Province. Through collecting and sorting of Mr. Huang's theses and medical records, his academic characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion were summarized as follows. Paying attention to meridians and collaterals and treatment based on syndrome differentiation; valuing the needling sensation as well as being good at reinforcing and reducing methods; thinking highly of taking care of spleen and stomach, ombination of needles and herbal medicine to treat difficult miscellaneous diseases; being adept in externd therapy and penetration needling and diet prescriptions, as well as attaching importance on health preserving.

The origin and development of the Ashi point theory are arranged, it is believed that the essence of Ashi point is a point locating method and it is suitable for the location of each acupoint. Originated from Neijing (Internal Classic), this method is the primary point locating method in ancient times, corresponding to the forms of acupoints in Neijing (Internal Classic), the points are located though palpation. This point locating method can be widely used to locate the points clinically, what's more, the Ashi method is not limited to use for local tenderness. Ashi point got its conception from Qianjin Yao fang (Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold), under the background of acupoint channel tropism, it gradually evolved to a certain kind of point that parallel to the regular point and extra point. This process changed the clinical point locating method: regular point and extra point are located according to proportional bone measurement, while Ashi point is located by palpation. However, it betrays the classic and clinical practice gradually.

The acupuncture has been practiced in China for more than 3000 years and was spread to Europe and American from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. The history of acupuncture research was initiated in the eighteenth century and developed rapidly since then. In the past, physicians tried hard to apply acupuncture into clinical practice, while scientists were focused on the possible characteristics of acupoints and meridians. In the modern time, scientists have strived hard to evaluate the real effectiveness of acupuncture and the underlying physiological and biological mechanisms of acupuncture. Reviewing research history from past to present, we are delighted to witness this wonderful development. Accumulated evidences that acupuncture is beneficial in various conditions significantly enhanced our understanding the mechanisms of acupuncture treatment. However, there is still no conclusive evidence in acupuncture clinical studies. The clinical research still needs great improving, while the basic research results need to be appropriately transformed into clinical outcomes. Based on current achievements, we believe that although the challenges and difficulties exist, a more collaborative, innovative, and integrated approach will help us to achieve further progress in future acupuncture research., (© 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The understanding and classification of academic systems of acupuncture-moxibustion of GAO Wu can be initially clarified through Keynotes of Acupuncture-Moxibustion. On the base of theoretical system of Neijing (Internal Classic) and Nanjing (Classic on Medical Problems), needling manipulations, treatment, meridians and acupoints were taken as the major knowledge models to construct the framework of the academic system by GAO Wu. The "nine needles" and "manipulations" were taken as the starting point of acupuncture. "Reducing and reinforcing methods" were held as the requirement for advanced skills of acupuncturists. Moreover, syndromes based on the theory of was 12 regular meridians was emphasized to combine the theory and clinical practice tightly. Therefore, it is concluded that GAO Wu's classification of acupuncture-moxibustion academic system enlightened and provided experiences for the modern acupuncture education and academic research.

Mr. WANG Le-ting attaches great importance to accurate differentiation of syndromes, strict selection of acupoints, technique and direction of needle insertion, clear reinforcing and reducing methods after the appearance of needling sensations, proper opportunities of manipulations as well as needle withdrawal techniques, and reasonable application of acupuncture and moxibustion respectively. The above mentioned principles are known as his "5 agreements". He emphasizes that the selection of acupoints should be "in accordance with both the meridians and the accurate location of the points", and "needling sensation is necessary for each point". He holds that the back-shu points of the five-zang organs and Geshu (BL 17) can be adopted for patient with deficiency of qi, blood, yin and yang. In the aspect of acupoint theory, he insists the accurate location of Xuanzhong (GB 39). He also adjusts the locations of Huatuo Jiaji (EX-B 2) points, and finds the location of the new Dubi (ST 35). For easier applications, he divides the functions of acupoints into different schools of qi, blood, cold, heat, deficiency, excess, wind and dampness. And 41 combinations of acupoints are also invented as innovation. He is always strict to his students, instructing and influencing them by his own words and deeds. He is always conscientious and meticulous, which benefit immensely his followers, and remains a lot of precious experiences for the later generations.