Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Studies On The Phenomenon Of Latent Propagated Sensation Along Channels: I. The Discovery Of A Latent PSC And A Preliminary Study Of Its Skin Electrical Conductance

Zhu Zongxiang, Yan Zhiqiang, Institute of Biophysics, Academia Sinica.

Yu Shuzhuang, Zhang Ruxin, Wang Juyi, Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Liu Yiming, Beijing College of Aviation.

Hao Jinkai, Hospital of Yanan District.

Zhang Xuliang, Yu Shuling, Institute of Prevention and Public Health of Neimenggu.

He Qingnian, Beijing Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Meng Zhaowei, Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

1. Propagated sensation along the channels has extensively been studied in this country. Statistically, about one percent of people among the masses was reported to have the typical phenomenon, i.e. a specific feeling propagating along the channel course during the application of needling or other stimuli on acupuncture points. People with these characteristics are known as subjects of marked PSC.


However, by combining electrical impulsive stimuli with mechanical ones, we are able to trace out a new line of feeling, coincident with the classical channel course. Impulsive stimulation was acted at the Jing point of the Large Interstine or Stomach Channel, namely Shangyan or Lidui. With a small rubber plexor, light knocks were applied on the skin along the lines perpendicular to the channel and crossing over the acupuncture points, a specific propagational numb feeling at the points of the channel could be told. By linking up these points of specific feeling, an imaginary line which is just the classical Large Intestine or Stomach Channel can be traced out. This line is named as "latent propagational sensation line along the channels" because, unless through knocking, no prominent sensation of propagation could be felt.


Five patients with no prominent propagated sensation under examination were found to have latent PSC. Other 5 patients with various degrees of PSC, when tested by the same method, showed that their latent PSC lines were the continuation of the promiment ones and could be traced out simply through knocking (i.e. without the electric impulsation at the Jing points). These facts show that PSC may be a common rather than a peculiar phenomenon in the population.

2. Employing an impulsive electrical generator and an all-wave commutating circuit linked to a micro-ammeter, the skin conductance was measured over the latent PSC of the Large Intestine Channel lying between the wrist and 5 centimeters above the elbow joints. Results were compared to those locations of one centimeter apart from the channel course, i.e. the control sites devoid of acupuncture points or channels. At most acupuncture points or any site of the channel course on all of the 10 subjects under examination, there was greater electrical condustance maxima than was at control sites. This fact indicates that not only the acupuncture points, but the entire course of latent PSC are also of higher electrical conductance.

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