ABSTRACT
We are now in a position to look at the first table of the tracts (Table 1), where they are arranged in the Circulation Order.d
It needs a certain amount of explanation. The nan1e of the tract and its translation is followed by the internationally accepted abbreviation,e with a note explaining the basis of this, and a letter differentiating the internal organs into the fU I group (Yang) and the tsang2 group (Yin). At once it can be seen how this corresponds with the Yin or Yang character of the tracts themselves. The urino-genital system was not very clearly understood by the ancients, so we translate shen3 in no. 8 as reno-seminal, and could well think of it as 'reins' as has been found convenient in translating texts of physiological alchemy in SCC, Vol. 5, pt. 5. f Then, as we have already seen, t\VO out of the twelve internal organs are not among those recognised in modern physiology-the Izsin pao 104 or 'pericardium' (but not exactly that structure as it is kno"vn in modern anatonlY), and the san chiaos or 'three coctive regions'.g We shall not examine these Inore closely here, recalling only that they seem to have been necessitated by the very ancient sixfold medical classification as opposed to the philosophical system in which ~verything fitted into fives and groups of fives. h Now
and diseases; and in the Shang Han LUll the syndromes of different kinds of febrile diseases ,,'ere referred to malfunctions of one or other of the regular tracts, six only ho,,'ever being used for this purpose (cf. p. 117 belo\v).
