[Medical history from SARS to pneumonia].
SARS is a new kind of pneumonia. From the end of 2002 to the beginning of 2003, SARS broke in Guangdong province, Hong Kong and Beijing, and then gradually spread to the world. SARS is extremely contagious. The symptoms of SARS progress very quickly. SARS smashes the people's tranquil life and many people live in horror, worry and anxiety. But if we review the medical history of pneumonia, we would have a better understanding of SARS. This article focuses the history of people's understanding of pneumonia on the historical documents, diagnosis, etiology and treatment. Through the epidemic of SARS, the author hopes to express that contagion will live with us for a long time, but it is not a deadly disease. It is preventable and good care is essential for contagious patients. As Chinese people, we should have the best use of TCM in our combat with contagion.
Zhen
Cheng
C
Center for History of Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100083, China.
D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional / Q000266:history; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*