Xi Peiling (1906 - 1976), a native of Beijing. Mr. Xi was poor in his childhood. He dropped out of school at the age of 16 and decided to study medicine to save patients. In 1924, he started to study classical Chinese medicine under the guidance of Mr. Wang Zijiang, a famous doctor in Beijing. In 1930, he was qualified as a Chinese medicine practitioner. Later, he pursued advanced studies from Mr. Han Yizhai, an imperial physician, and learned fine techniques from Mr. Han.
After liberation, Mr. Xi took an active part in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) work in New China. In 1958, he served as the Director of TCM Department of the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau, and successively served as the Member of Municipal CPPCC, the Member of National Association for Science & Technology, the Secretary General of Beijing Society of TCM, and etc. In 1963, he was appointed as the Deputy Director of Beijing Institute of TCM and Director of Gynecology Department of TCM Hospital. In 1965, he was named one of the 'Ten Red Flags' of the Beijing Municipal Health Front. On the 15th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, he attended the National Conference of Labor Models and was received by Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou and other state leaders.
Mr. Xi devoted his whole life to the cause of Chinese medicine. He made outstanding contributions, especially to the integration between Chinese and modern medicine, the establishment of TCM department in modern medicine hospital and the academic exchange of Chinese medicine. Mr. Xi was good at treating warm heat diseases, especially "Nourishing Yin and Increasing Fluid". He adhered to the principle of accurate differentiation of symptoms and signs, and successfully rescued and treated many patients with acute and severe diseases. He had proved that Chinese medicine is not only good for treating chronic diseases, but also effective in treating acute and severe diseases. His superb medical skills had won unanimous praise from patients and colleagues. Xi Yunxia is one of his successors.
