A Cultural and Linguistic Translation of Warm Factor Epidemics Wenbing as Seasonal Viral Influenza Epidemics in Australia

A new understanding of science as a knowledge system is emerging. In place of universalizing theories, there is recognition of locatedness and situatednss as characteristics of scientific knowledge. This has a bearing on the relationship between traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western biomedicine. Both are generated in located and situated clinical practices. Clinical space can thus be seen as a platform upon which TCM and Western biomedicine can engage in mutual translation. Bruno Latour refers to ‘translation’ as ‘the interpretation given by fact-builders of their interests and those of the people they enrol.’ This offers the possibility of a local and situated interpretation of other knowledge systems including TCM. Using this methodology, I translate into terms of wenbing influenza the viral epidemics of Western biomedicine.