[On the methodology for integration of traditional Chinese and Western medicine]

Traditional Chinese medicine and modern Western medicine have their distinctive superiorities, and are mutually complementary in spite of their different systems of theory. The integration of traditional Chinese medicine and modern Western medicine can promote the development of medical science. Over the past 40 years, a number of great achievements have been made in the field of the integration, promoting the development of medicine in China. To sum up in respect of methodology, these achievements are obtained by application of combined analytical and synthetical methods of modern medicine to the research of basic principles, therapeutic methods, prescription and medication of traditional Chinese medicine.