It has been suggested that resonance energy of this nature is dispersed throughout the body so that resonance of one organ has a profound influence on function of other organs and systems. Thus, every system influences and is influenced by other systems. Any organ dysfunction affects the whole body and this always needs consideration in therapy.

As an analogy, one violinist in a large orchestra playing out of tune will make the whole violin section sound bad. Should the other violinists in the section decide to play out of tune with their colleague, the section will then be in tune with each other, but not with the orchestra, causing maladjustments by musicians in other sections. This generally does not happen in an orchestra because all its musicians know what harmonic values they need to produce in relationship to each other and constantly adjust. Constant adjustment, or "tuning," in the body maintains the harmony of normal function.

Disease is induced by a lack of harmony, and abnormal function in any part of the body affects the whole organism, sometimes resulting in secondary dysfunction. This is particularly true of degenerative diseases such as AIDS and cancer. Mainstream medicine emphasizes structure and function, rarely addressing the electro-chemical mechanisms affecting the whole organism. For this reason it is usually incapable of effectively treating such conditions. The EDSS addresses whole body function because the bio-information read by the EDSD provides factual data which reflect on the condition of every part of the body. Using a computer, these data can be stored and analyzed, permitting repeated evaluations over time and even across generations.

Current Research
We have completed over 20 studies using the EDSS, 8 of which are translated into English. In the first study, 11 patients receiving treatment in a family practice were observed. Conditions seen included peptic ulcer, appendicitis, chronic chorea, and cancer of the colon, breast and uterus. In every case, readings taken with EDSD matched standard diagnostic tests (46). In another study, allergy symptoms were assessed by standard diagnostic methods. Testing with EDST correlated closely with accepted criteria, particularly the food rechallenge test, considered the most reliable method of testing for food allergies (20).

After further refinement of the EDST and standardization of the EDSD, data from 483 healthy individuals were studied (47). Quadrant measurements, which assess general biologic energy, did relate to age and sex. Point measurement did not, not particularly surprising since they represent energy and balance in a specific system at the time of measurement. Little or no variation due to these two variables would be expected.

We have studied chronic fatigue syndrome (48), and pesticide exposure (22). Measurement readings at points representing circulation improved significantly after half an hour of chi-kung meditation exercise (49). We have reported on two major studies in diabetes mellitus (50,51) and one on hypertension (52). It was clearly shown that it was possible to differentiate normal from abnormal organ and system function by measuring bioenergy at a few specific points.

EDST as a Screening Tool
It is possible to control sensitivity and specificity for screening purposes. In the hypertension study (52), readings were taken on all 428 subjects at the 40 CMPs and 24 branch points. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the measurements. Readings at 10 points were found to be affected by hypertension much more than the other points, most of which were on the pericardium meridian.

These 10 points were then used to create a screening model for hypertension and the data originally collected were reassessed using this model. If a positive reading were defined as an ID of only 2 or more, more positive tests would indicate screening relatively high sensitivity and low specificity. If only IDs of at least 5 or more were considered positive, screening specificity would increase and sensitivity decrease. The range of possible results of various combinations of screening criteria is defined with a statistical value called the cutoff value. When the cut-off value of the hypertension screening mode is 0.53, the correction rate is 73.42%, sensitivity 47.93X, specificity 89.23% and odd value is 7.62. Any cut-off value, that is any point along the x-axis, could be selected (Figure 6), thus determining specificity and sensitivity.

Although increased specificity results in false negative readings and increased sensitivity increases false positives, the flexibility offered by this system is invaluable, particularly when medical resources are at a minimum.

Integration of Holistic and Modern Medicine
As we have said, many diseases can only be understood and properly treated by analysis of the whole patient. Although traditional and modern methods are used together by many physicians, the two methods have never been fully integrated. This is possible with the EDSS because it is historically connected to Chinese medical tradition which shares similarities with traditional medicine as practiced throughout the world. It is also truly modern and has a scientific foundation, is computerized, and produces data that are quantifiable and reproducible. Based on advanced physics, it is arguably more modern than the mechanistic and biochemical models that dominate current medical thought.

At our clinic, a comprehensive method of studying new patients has been developed. Quadrant measurements determine the general balance of the whole body, and CMP measurements determine the balance of the 20 meridians. Medicine testing is used to determine the cause of any imbalanced meridians. The aging process is monitored by measuring the levels of contaminants in the body, the free radicals or homotoxins in Reckeweg's homotoxological theory (53). Emotional states and moods are monitored by measuring the electrodermal reaction to floral essence samples.

This assessment takes approximately 2 hours, giving body/mind information and environmental effects all at the same time, offering a complete picture of the patient. By selecting the best components from holistic and allopathic methodology perhaps the question of matter versus energy might be settled as an approach to treatment.

Acknowledgments
The author would like to thank Professors Kuo-Gen Chen and BinHsin Yang, and Dr. F.M.K. Lam Jr. for technical assistance; also Christopher Chalfant for his help in editing. This research was made possible with the support of the Foundations for East-West Medicine, Taipei and Honolulu.

* Dr. Julia J. Tsuei received her medical education in China, Taiwan and the United States, and is a diplomat of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has participated in family planning and maternal-child health activities in the WHO and USAID and is a past professor at the University of New York and the University of Hawaii. She currently is at National Yangming University, Taiwan, where she established the Graduate Institute of Traditional Medicine in the School of Medicine. She established the foundations for East-West Medicine in Taipei and Honolulu in 1989, to research the integration of traditional and contemporary medicine. Julia J. Tsuei, MD, FACOG, National Yangming University, School of Medicine, Graduate Institute of Traditional Medicine, #155 Li-Noon Rd., Sec. 2 Shihpai, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.