A Treatise on Acupuncturation

by James Morss Churchill

The Indians, however, do not confine their practice of Acupuncturation (or Zin-king, as they call it) to diseases of this kind. They puncture the head in all cases of Cephalalgia, in Comatose affections, Ophthalmia, &c. They puncture the chest, back, and abdomen, not only to relieve pain of those parts, but as a cure for Dysentery, Anorexia, Hysteria, Cholera Morbus, Iliac Passion, &c. Local diseases of the muscular and fibrous structures of the body, also often afford them occasions for its performance; and it is for diseases of this class only, that I have hitherto practised it, and for which I would expressly recommend it.

Neither sufficient time has elapsed, nor a proper selection of cases been made since this operation has been known to me, to have afforded me, either a large number of experiments, or a great variety of diseases on which to try the effects of it: it is true I have employed it on some few, and I have it in contemplation to encrease the list, by giving my experiments a wider range, but at present I should not be doing justice to my subject, to form conclusions on such imperfect evidence; I shall therefore confine myself, merely to the description of the good effects, which I have witnessed in diseases of a rheumatic character, and in those injuries of the fibrous structures of the body, which are often observed to arise, (particularly in labouring persons) from violent exertion. This circumstance must be ever in view, and if it be not fully impressed on the mind, I doubt not but many who may be induced to try the effect of the operation, may be disappointed in it; viz. that acupuncturation does no good, nor does it produce even a temporary alleviation, when the disease for which it is used, is of an inflammatory character. This distinction seems to have regulated the practice of those, who have experimented on the subject, and to have decided them in their selection of cases for the operation. Mr. Berlioz, of Paris, has practised it extensively, and has recently published an account of the success which it has had in his hands.[1] He says,

“The eulogia given to acupuncturation by Kœmpfer and Ten-Rhyne, are just and merited. We have reason to feel surprized, that although an age or more has elapsed, since this curative measure has been known in Europe, no physician has made trial of its efficacy. The practice of the operation is attended with but little pain, and the success of it is so prompt, that the disease is alleviated or entirely ceases, as soon as the needle has been introduced the depth of a few lines; most frequently, however, the pain is not removed by the first introduction of the instrument, and it is not until after the use of it for a second, third, or fourth time, that the cure is completed. Simple nervous affections, especially demonstrate how much acupuncturation merits the attention of physicians, for there are but few remedies possessed of such prompt activity, and which produce such wonderful effects.

“But acupuncturation does not appertain in any respect to sanguineous evacuations,[2] it can only contribute sometimes to establish the indications for them. This operation is not indeed followed by any success, when the disease depends upon sanguineous turgescence and inflammation.

“In contrary circumstances, Acupuncturation, by dissipating the symptoms, demonstrates, that disorder of the nervous system only had given rise to them.”

The only cases of Rheumatism in which I have been successful with the operation, have been of the Rheumatalgic form, or that which is divested of external inflammation; characterised by pain upon motion, stiffness and coldness of the part; the disease having a disposition to change its place; is aggravated by atmospheric changes, and relieved often by stimulant Diaphoretics, Narcotics and external warmth: but I have yet met with success in some cases where the intensity of the pain would have led me to believe, that considerable inflammatory action must have given rise to such exquisite nervous sensibility.

Mr. Berlioz in speaking of the diseases to which this remedy is applicable, says, “vague and wandering Rheumatism sometimes attacks the external muscles subservient to respiration; the patient is obliged to remain motionless; every motion of the trunk compels him to cry out; a deep inspiration is very difficult, and coughing occasions such cruel pains, that expectoration is impossible. Acupuncturation dissipates instantly this state of distress, and renders to the muscles their full liberty of action. In the space of one or two minutes, a patient whose sufferings drew from him tears, exclaims he is quite cured.”

These observations of Mr. Berlioz are fully substantiated by the experience of Dr. Haime of Tours, who has devoted much time and attention to the operation of Acupuncturation, and has lately published a most interesting paper upon the subject in the 13th volume of the “Journal Universel des Sciences Medicales,” at Paris.[3]

The doctor declares that his own practice bears evidence of the fidelity of the preceding remarks of Mr. Berlioz. He accuses the Japonese and Chinese, (to whom this operation he says is peculiar practising,) practising it too extensively, which has been partly the cause of its being disregarded by Europeans, and acknowledges that it was to Mr. Berlioz’s cases, which he has related in his “estimable work,” that he owed the fortunate application which he has made of this measure.