!Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Chinese Medicine Second Edition

obstetricsObstetrics and Gynaecology in Chinese Medicine is a complete and detailed textbook of this speciality in Chinese medicine with the diagnosis and treatment with acupuncture and Chinese herbs. The author bases his exposition on modern and ancient Chinese books, always integrated with his long clinical experience. Many new approaches are discussed throughout the book, for example the simultaneous deficiency of both Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang in women, the peculiar aetiological factors applying to women, and the effect of sexual activity in gynaecological complaints. The book deals with the diagnosis and treatment of women's gynaecological and obstetric disorders including endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

The Contents include:
  • History of gynaecology in Chinese medicine
  • Women's physiology
  • Women's pathology
  • Aetiology
  • Diagnosis
  • Principles and Methods of Treatment
  • Extraordinary Vessels Treatment
  • Early Periods
  • Late Periods
  • Irregular Periods
  • Heavy Periods
  • Scanty Periods
  • Long Periods
  • Painful Periods
  • Bleeding between Periods
  • No Periods
  • Flooding and Trickling
  • Pre-menstrual Syndrome
  • Pre-menstrual Breast Distension
  • Morning Sickness
  • Abdominal Pain during Pregnancy
  • Threatened Miscarriage
  • Foetus not Growing
  • Oedema in Pregnancy
  • Anxiety in pregnancy
  • Dizziness in Pregnancy
  • Convulsions in Pregnancy
  • Feeling of Suffocation in pregnancy
  • Aphonia in pregnancy
  • Cough in pregnancy
  • Painful-Urination Syndrome in pregnancy
  • Retention of Urine in pregnancy
  • Constipation during Pregnancy
  • Habitual Miscarriage
  • Acupuncture and Herbal Treatment in Midwifery
  • Post-natal Depression
  • Abdominal Pain after Childbirth
  • Persistent Lochial Discharge and Retention of Lochia
  • Constipation and Haemorrhoids after Childbirth
  • Fever after Childbirth
  • Joint Pain after childbirth
  • Breast Milk not Flowing (including Acute Mastitis)
  • Spontaneous Flow of Milk
  • Convulsions after Childbirth
  • Infertility
  • Menopausal Syndrome
  • Breast Lumps
  • Abdominal Masses (Ovarian Cysts)
  • Polycystic Ovary Disease, Cervical Dysplasia)
  • Excessive Vaginal Discharge
  • Vaginal Itching (Trichomonas and Candida infections, Genital Eczema)
  • Prolapse of the Uterus
  • Vulval Sores
  • Endometriosis
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Myoma
Special features of the book include:
  • The book deals with both herbs and acupuncture with and extensive section on the extraordinary vessels
  • It deals with the physiology and aetiology of women's problems in depth and several ideas are original and divergent from traditional views. Examples: 1) The discussion of not enough sex as a cause of disease in women; 2) the role of the Heart in women's physiology and pathology of menstrual problems; 3) the importance of a simultaneous deficiency of Kidney-Yin and Kidney-Yang in women
  • Many case histories
  • The discussion on aetiology is linked with many practical advices for women (things to do or to avoid)
  • A view of pregnancy that is different than the traditional one (according to which pregnancy always depletes the Blood and the Kidneys)
  • The chapter on post-natal depression is derived entirely from old texts as this condition does not appear in modern gynaecology books
  • Each chapter has a clear and concise section on the Western view or differentiation of a particular condition. For example, this section would list the Western diseases that might correspond to "Painful Periods", each with their symptoms and signs

This volume is simultaneously an encounter with the classics of Chinese medicine, this morning's patient and the insights of a seasoned practitioner. It is a wonderful example of balancing old and new in order to fulfill the mandate of "accurate" transmission. "Obstetrics and Gynecology in Chinese Medicine"'s contemporary clinical insights are deep while its reference to classical sources are precise and relevant. Classical citations are balanced with contemporary case histories to provoke understanding and clinical guidance while eschewing mere pedantry. Giovanni Maciocia® is wonderful in exhuming details of the archaic knowledge that has been neglected in Asia itself. This is apparent throughout the text and two important examples are his discussions of the extraordinary vessels and of post-natal melancholy.

Dr. Ted Kaptchuk