ABSTRACT
The oldest extensive texts describing the acu-points occur in that part of the Huang Ti Nei Ching lO (Yellow Emperor's Manual of Corporeal Medicine) which is now known as the Ling Shull (Vital Axis). Though nothing permits an exact dating, the most satisfactory time to which to ascribe these is the - 1st century, and as we shall mention later on, it is probable that the Ling Shu is the present name for that portion of the Nei Ching which appears in Han bibliographies under the title Chen Ching l2 (Manual of the Needles). Since the Su Wen l3 part of the Corpus (the Questions (and Answers) about Living Matter), \vhich dates from the previous century, also contains a good deal about the acu-points, it is clear that the system must have been well advanced in development during the Warring States period-but we shall in due course return to the historical issues. The Nei Ching says in several places that there
a There are many trained acupuncture physicians today, especially in the West, 'who kno\v no other usage.
