Abstract:
This thesis examines the new medical knowledge among by barefoot doctors during the late 20th century in A Barefoot Doctor’s M anual, or Chìjiǎo Yīshēng Shǒucè. Published in 1970 by the Communist Party of China, A Barefoot Doctor’ s Manual will be used to identify new medical knowledge studied and practiced by barefoot doctors during the decades promptly following the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Beyond identifying new medical knowledge practiced and studied by barefoot doctors during this period, the objective of this thesis will also be to determine how the production of new medical knowledge is adapted from traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, and moreover, how the new medical knowledge is disseminated among barefoot doctors using the manual. This thesis will conclude by demonstrating the significance of classifying new medical knowledge among barefoot doctors in providing us with insight on China’s culture and society during the late 20th century.