東洋醫學의 氣 槪念에 관한 考察

THE CONCEPT OF CHHI IN THE ORIENTAL MEDICINE

The aim of this study is to clarify the concept of chhi applied in Huang Chi Nai Ching, the classics of the Chinese medicine and in Tong Ui Po Kam, the Korean book of traditional medicine. According to these literatures the word chhi indicates the source of life which exists in the universe anteceding the formation of man’s body. Frequently chhi is identified with air or breath which can be transformed fluid form in the body. Chhi is a vital force circulating throughout the body especially in the 12 meridian systems. The harmonious relationship of the man’s chhi with the chhi of the heaven and the earth is the essential condition of the health. Thus, the physical environment with its diurnal and seasonal variation was strongly emphasized as factors influencing the state of man’s chhi. The various emotional states which were designated as 7 chhi or 9 chhi and the stressful life changes can affect the state of chhi of organs. The state of chhi can be examined by plapation of pulse. The meridan points a e loci through which the excess and the deficit of the chhi quantity can be managed by acupuncture. It was stressed that the acupuncturist himself should keep the harmonious state of chhi at the treatment. To foster the “essential” or “true chhi” is the way of long living while defending the body from the invasion of “morbid chhi”. Somewhat magical exercises were recommended for the purpose of collection of the “essential chhi. ,, One has supposed the reservoir of chhi existing either in the upper third of body (brain) or in the space between both mamillae. The premordial inherited chhi was mentioned according to which the length of each individual’s life was determined. However, the state of health does not absolutely depend on this chhi but one’s own effort to live in harmony with nature. it is difficult to find out the direct expression of chhi in the modern western medicine in spite of the similarity of chhi with the electric energy of neuronal system with its biochemical correlates. Jung’s definition of libido as life energy and his concept of the unconscious psychoid function is helpful instrument for understanding the concept of chhi. However, the oriential medicine is much more concerned with the external physical world to which the unconscious psychic process might largely be projected. Besides Jung’s theory of libido the parallel ideas of chhi are pointed out from the primitive concept of libido and in the western alchemy. The Confucian thought of chhi in Sung dynasty was mentioned briefly but not discussed in detail.