ABSTRACT
These points have given rise to special studies by Western acupuncture physicians, notably Trubert (I); and Quaglia-Senta (I), who seeks to establish a relationship \vith the parasympathetic system.
b Samson Wright (I), pp. 207 ff.; cf. Moss (I), pp. 68ff. I ~7C 2 WJ* 3 ~ 4 W 5 ~
muscular rigidity. There may also be localised hypEralgEsia, i.e. a cor:dition in which a light pin-prick normally causing only slight discomfort brings about a strongly painful reaction; this would have been very clearly noticed by the acupuncture physicians. Similarly, the pain of cardiac ischaemia is felt in the sternum, not the heart, and renal colic manifests itself in the loin and scrotum, not the lumbar region. So also with the viscera in general, both solid and hollow. Although many pathological processes can occur in them without causing any pain at all, there are others which do, even if often referred to remote parts of the body, and therefore the ancient acupuncture tracts, and especially the sets of acu-points on the trunk, can be interpreted in the light of modern physiological knowledge. Indeed the general principle of the recognition of internal malfunction by means of external signs is fully reflected in the ancient piao-li diagnostic system.
