THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHINESE MEDICINE AND ACUPUNCTURE SCIENCE IN CANADA

摘要

This paper discusses the development of Acupuncture Science in Canada,Chinese medicine and acupuncture were probably introduced to Canada in the 1ate 1800’s by theearly Chinese immigrants.The Acupuncture Association of Quebec(A.A.Q.)in Montreal wasthe earliest credible organization.Dr.Oscar Wexu,the founder of AAQ.was also the Vice-Presi-dent of the.International Acupuncture Society in France. Under his leadership the AAQ madesignificant contributions to the development of acupuncture medicine jn Canada.In the provinceof 0ntario.an Acupuncture Anti-pain Clinic and an Acupuncture Research Center were estab-lished under government by Dr.W.E.Spoerel(late Chairman of the Department of Anaesthesiaat the University Hospital,under the auspices of the University of Western Ontario)who colla-borated with Dr.Cedric K.T.Cheung,the future President of the Chinese Medicine and Acup-uncture Association of Canada.Due to pressures from the Western medical establishment the go-vernment withdrew its fund and as a result this valuable work had to be abandoned.This eventproved to be a great hindrance for the development of Chinese medicine and acupuncture.As aresult.the College of Physicians and Surgeons(C.P.S.O.)and the Acupuncture Foundation ofCanada (A.F.C.)had represented the authority to control the practice of Chinese medicine andacupuncture:qualified practitioners were greatly restricted and prevented from using the title of“doctor”instead of“technicians”.A historicaI turning point occured in 1980-1981 in Ottawa,Canada.The result of a court ruling indicated that Acupuncture was not a part of Western medi-cine and that anyone who hold a legitimate doctorate could use the title of doctor.On August 2 5,1983.the Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Association was founded by Dr.Cedric K.T.Cheung.Tiffs historic event marked the establishment of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture in Canada.CMAAC became a Member Society of the World Federation of Acupuncture-Moxibustion Socie-ties(WFAS)in 1987 and the Professional Acupuncturists Association of Ontario(P.A.A.O.)be、came affiliated to CMAAC in the same year.In 1989,the Education Division of the Institute ofChinese Medicine and Acupuncture was established under the auspices of CMAAC.Seven Chap-ters of CMAAC have been established in seven provinces along with appropriate support groupsfrom the general public.A tribute was paid to the late Dr.W.E.Spoerel for his contributions tothe development of Chinese medicine and acupuncture in Canada.