During this course, a strict system of clinical modification will be taught. The system was developed by Dr. Versluys over the course of the last ten years by analyzing both Zhang Zhongjing’s prescriptions as well as the characteristics of the Tian-Zeng lineage’s clinical practice. It is fully grounded and based in the classical writings of the original designer of the formulas, Zhang Zhongjing. The system is organized along a hierarchical system of formula modifications and provides a failsafe method for modification to adapt to a broader collection of complex clinical manifestations as often encountered in Chinese medicine clinic in the West. A waterproof modification system forms the basis of classical herbal practice and the elimination of random clinical variables which are the greatest cause for failure in clinic.

Japanese abdominal diagnosis or Fukushin is the diagnostic art developed in medieval Japan based on the canonical writings by Zhang Zhongjing. Careful inspection of the Shanghan Zabing Lun reveals countless references to abdominal conditions that could only have been diagnosed by actual palpation of the abdomen. The skill however never fully developed in China but flourished in Japan. Throughout history, two major trends and types of abdominal diagnosis developed, being the Nanjing and Shanghan Lun schools, which respectively diagnose the abdomen in service of either acupuncture or meridian treatment, and herbal treatment. Fukushin refers specifically to Shanghan Lun style of abdominal diagnosis developed by Japanese scholars during Edo period (1603-1867 CE) for the purpose of prescribing the Han dynasty formulas of Zhang Zhongjing.

This three weekend course is the instruction of specialized Materia Medica and formula studies in the service of canonical Chinese medicine as practiced by Zhang Zhongjing in the Shanghan Lun and the Jingui Yaolue.