• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1057-1061
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• 2008

For the purpose of investigating the reasonable logics contained in physiognomy of east and old western medicine. hypothetical researches based on hydromechanics theory were performed concerning facial types of form and pathologic features, especially 4 types of Dr. Jisan-Essence, Qi energy. Emotional Activity and Blood(EQAB). In order to infer the functional relation between facial type forming and EQAB factors, EQAB were supposed as fluid grounded on their continual flowing or periodical change and pressure effect from its congestion. and a premise that there's a linear corresponding relationship between the appearance of organ and its physical conditions of its inner vessels is formed too. Through this work, the unit fluid model(UFM) of Essence can be assumed as circle shape formed by the high viscosity and surface tension, the UFM model of Qi energy as quadrangular shape by the scattering features to outer four directions, and the UFM of emotional activity as inverted triangular shape by the flippant and uprising features, and the UFM of blood as ellipsoid triangle by the heavy and descending features in spite of circulation. The shapes made from each UFM are reproduced in the process of human development and manifest respective facial shape through the self-reproduction method like fractal theory in the last. Conclusively. it is said that the facial form analysis method like EQAB type theory can be the useful methodology to understand the human pathological and physiological features in view of hydromechanics.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.52-68
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• 2013

Objectives: Hyungsang medicine (HM) is an inspection which emphasizes the relationships between pathological patterns and one's facial or bodily shape, color and movement. The purpose of this study was to review previously published study results of the HM. Methods: The authors reviewed a total of 51 HM-related studies published from 2000 to 2012 found on PubMed and various domestic Oriental medicine journals. Each study was classified into theoretical, diagnostic, or treatment-related category. Results: Theoretical studies were mostly based on the Nei-Ching and Dong-Eui-Bo-Gam texts, and dealt with differences in form between types such as masculine and feminine, the five organ image types, the four-type categorization of body essence, vital energy (Qi), mentality, and Blood, Gallbladder and Bladder, the four-type categorization of fish, bird, horse, and turtle types, and the six meridian types. Research on diagnosis has been performed on diagnostic characteristics of HM, correlation between HM and general coordinative manipulation (GCM), and Hyungsang medicine and ante-disease pattern (未病類型). Studies on treatments could largely be classified as treatments for specific diseases using certain acupuncture or herbal prescriptions based on HM. Treatments were mostly evaluated solely through subjective symptom improvement of patients. Conclusions: Our review results suggest that HM-related studies were focused on the constitutional characteristics and clinical utility of HM. To strengthen the theoretical basis of HM and its clinical utility, clinical trials including randomized, treatment-placebo and blind methods are needed.