Lecturer, Traditional Chinese Medicine Unit

Department of Medical and Molecular Biosciences

Phone: +61 2 9514 7850

Fax: +61 2 9514 7866

Email: Warren.Cochran@uts.edu.au

Academic Qualifications

B.A. (Auckland)  Dip.Tchg  Dip.PNTC  NZTC  Dip.TCM

                           Cert.Acup   Cert.CHM  (Hangzhou, China)  

Research Interests / Activities

The historical development of the traditional medicine of China, with emphasis on the evolution of the epistemological imperatives which underpin its paradigm.

The origins and development of both acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine since historical times, drawing on extant archaeological and literary sources.

Comparative therapeutic approaches to febrile disease and contagion in both China and the West.

Cross cultural studies on the role of religion in therapeutics with focus on Buddo-Taoist healing, Shamanic medicine, and the hermitic tradition in both early China and the West.

Selected Recent Publications

Points in Time: Some Reflections upon the Origins of Acupuncture, Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (2002) 3, 119-128

The Therapeutic Response to Contagion: The Influence of Pestilence on Medical Theory and Practice in Late Imperial China, European Journal of Oriental Medicine (2002) Vol 4: 1, 10-19

Ancestors and Demons: Religious Conviction and the Development of Chinese Medical Epistemology, Pacific Journal of Oriental Medicine (2001) 19, 29-41

Ancient Bones and Evil Wind: The Early Origins of Chinese Medical Concepts, Pacific Journal of Oriental Medicine (2000) 17, 16-22

Out of the Dust: The Origins of Chinese Medical Epistemology, European Journal of Oriental Medicine (2000) Vol 3, 2, 4-11

Teaching Areas of Expertise

The historical evolution of the traditional medicine of China, a subject taught at the Undergraduate level. Guest lecturer in Chinese medical history at the Sydney Institute of TCM, the University of Western Sydney, Department of Asian Languages at Macquarie University, and the University of South Australia in Adelaide.

Chinese Herbal Medicine – Materia Medica. Teaching the individual Chinese herbal substances as part of the Bachelor of TCM programme.

Chinese herbal medicine formulas, and Internal Medicine (Nei Ke), major subjects in the Masters of CHM (Coursework) programme. Currently the Director of this programme.

Professional / Clinical Experience

Six years clinical experience in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine before joining UTS in 1996. Currently working one day a week treating patients in the UTS, Sydney Chinese Herbal Medicine Clinic. Has made two trips to China (1989 and 2000) to pursue clinical studies in both acupuncture and herbal medicine at the Red Cross Teaching Hospital, Hangzhou, PRC. Awarded a Certificate in Acupuncture and a Certificate in Chinese Herbal Medicine for these endeavours.

Work in Progress

A paper on febrile disease in China and the West in the late Eighteenth and early Nineteenth centuries, comparing and contrasting differing cultural conceptions and therapeutic approaches to contagious epidemics.

A paper comparing the issues of hermit popularity in both China and the West, with particular focus on the therapeutic functions of ascetic recluses.

The major papers written will be used to contribute towards a Doctorate by Publication ( D.Litt ) from the University of Auckland, New Zealand.