Profiles of traditional Chinese medicine schools.

Many schools of academic doctrines have emerged throughout the development history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) due to geographic, time, Shicheng (mentor-apprentice system) and academic diversities. Classic TCM School, Classic Formula School and Febrile Disorder School, though all lacking a clearly demonstrable or continuous Shicheng relationship, are nevertheless so classified because of their consistency in reference to the classic TCM works. Each of the Four Famous Masters of Jin and Yuan Dynasties had its distinctively different academic doctrine, resulting in the establishment of individually integrated academic schools. The emergence of the Warming and Tonifying School in late Yuan and early Ming Dynasties was realized as a means to rectify the ill effects of the cool and cold medications prevalent at the time. On the other hand, the advent of the Warm Disease School and the rise of the Confluence School embodied the close relationship carried by TCM academic schools to contemporary historical background. Looking at this development history, it is evident that the development of TCM academic schools could flourish only if it allows dissenting, yet mutually tolerant, opinions. In present medical environment where TCM and Western medicine are of equal importance, Classic TCM Schools, TCM Modernization Schools and Integrative Medicine Schools should all receive emphasis to foster development.