Shuxian Wang (September 5, 1904 – February 4, 1985) was born in Shanghai. Demonstrating exceptional diligence from a young age, he gained admission to Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) in 1922 with outstanding academic achievements. After graduating from PUMC, he pursued further studies in the United States, earning his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from New York University School of Medicine in 1930.

Upon returning to China, he joined the Department of Internal Medicine at Peking Union Hospital (now Peking Union Medical College Hospital) as both an educator and clinician. He later served as Director of the Tuberculosis Department. During his tenure at PUMC, he was dispatched to the United States and Austria for advanced studies and research.

In 1942, he was appointed Acting Director of Beiping Qingyuan Hospital (now Beijing Hospital) and concurrently held the position of Director of Internal Medicine. By 1945, he transferred to Peking University Medical School (now Peking University Health Science Center), where he assumed multiple leadership roles:

Professor and Chair of Internal Medicine

Director of the Nephrology Research Laboratory

Director of the Clinical Medicine Research Institute

He, a physician who mastered the balance between medicine and music, lived a life as profound and passionate as the melodies of his beloved pipa (Chinese lute) and violin. In an era of monumental upheavals, he grew into a towering figure in Chinese medicine, standing unyielding amidst storms, his wisdom and resilience forging an enduring legacy.

As one of the pioneering founders of nephrology in China and among the earliest researchers of diabetes, his spirit, knowledge, and teachings have been passed down through generations of medical professionals in New China, thriving like an unbroken chain of life.

Academic Titles:

• First-Class Professor at      Peking University Hospital

• Chair of the Department of Medicine

• Director of the Clinical Medicine Research Institute

Until his final breath, he embodied the essence and value of healing as a lifelong physician. His story and ethos will continue to inspire generations of medical practitioners. The seeds of knowledge and wisdom he sowed will forever flourish abundantly in the fertile fields of medicine.

In the summer of 1904, as the warmth of the season deepened, Wang Shuxian was born in Shanghai. At the time, China was undergoing a series of monumental historical changes.

By the end of 1904, the unequal treaty “Sino-American Treaty of 1894” (also known as the “Gresham-Yang Treaty”), which restricted Chinese laborers from entering the United States while protecting Chinese residents in the U.S., had expired. Chinese immigrants in America and citizens back home saw an opportunity to change the status quo, demanding that the Qing government abolish the old treaty and improve the living conditions of Chinese in the U.S. Under immense public pressure, the Qing government was forced to request treaty revisions. However, the U.S. government not only demanded the renewal of the treaty but also reaffirmed the validity of the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act.

When this news reached China, public outrage erupted in Shanghai in 1905.

In April, workers at the Hua Xin Cotton Mill in Shanghai, unwilling to see their labor exploited by foreigners, launched a protest with their own bodies. By May, business leaders in Shanghai and Ningbo joined the resistance, organizing a large-scale boycott of American goods in response to the U.S. reaffirmation of the Chinese Exclusion Act. This was a struggle without gunfire, yet its impact was profound, resonating both domestically and internationally.

That same year, Chen Tianhua, a martyr from Hunan, committed suicide by throwing himself into the sea in Japan. His “Farewell Letter” struck the dormant national spirit like a cold wave, awakening waves of consciousness among the Chinese people.

These historical events gradually instilled in Wang Shuxian, during his childhood, a dream of bringing glory to his country and nation.

In his youth, Wang was diligent and studious, filled with aspirations for the future. Unlike his peers, who were often restless and uncertain, he possessed a rare composure, perseverance, and open-mindedness—traits that foreshadowed his later dedication to medical research.

After graduating from elementary school, he excelled and was admitted to Shanghai Minli Middle School (now Shanghai Minli High School), an institution with significant influence in old Shanghai. To this day, the school stands a rectangular, milky-white marble monument, adorned with a portrait of the young martyr Yin Fu and inscribed with his translated words: “Life is precious, love is even more so; but for the sake of freedom, both can be forsaken.”

Here, the young Wang Shuxian studied diligently, graduating as an outstanding student in 1922 and gaining admission to Peking Union Medical College (PUMC) in Beijing to pursue higher education.

Even before university, Wang had a deep passion for music.

He enjoyed playing various instruments—the pipa, piano, and violin. His music flowed like the clear streams of the Jiangnan water towns, natural and enchanting. His favorite was the pipa; whenever he held it, the melody of “Ambush from Ten Sides” came alive, accompanied by the winds of Shanghai, the rains of Jiangnan, and the memories of an era.

Yet, he knew that his life was not just about the rhythm of music. The path of medicine was the other side of his soul.

In 1930, this young man from Shanghai earned his medical doctorate from Peking Union Medical College, and the State University of New York also conferred upon him a medical doctorate. This marked the beginning of his medical career.

After graduation, due to his outstanding performance, he stayed at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. In his clinical work in internal medicine, Wang was a doctor who spared no detail. Combining clinical practice with laboratory research, he delved into the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus, and other elements in the human body, achieving significant results.

Starting in 1935, he turned his attention to diabetes research. At the time, little was known about the disease in China. Wang’s research marked the first systematic study of diabetes in the country, and he became the first scholar to conduct large-scale clinical research on diabetes in China before 1949.

In that turbulent era, surrounded by the heavy iron curtain of oppression and the ashes of war, Wang’s medical journey continued to advance. From 1936 to 1938, this rising star of Chinese internal medicine traveled to the United States and Austria for further studies. In the vast ocean of global medicine, Wang pondered how to integrate advanced Western medical concepts and techniques with the subtlety of Eastern medicine and tradition. For him, this overseas experience was like a beam of light illuminating his heart, allowing him to navigate the seas of medicine with greater confidence in the years to come.

After returning to China in 1942, Wang became the head of internal medicine at Beijing Qingyuan Hospital and even served as acting president. Amid the stormy wartime in Beijing, Wang remained steadfast in his medical compassion and educational mission, safeguarding the people of Beijing.

This continued until 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was born.

Throughout his academic journey, Wang Shuxian steadfastly adhered to the principle of “breadth to nurture depth, and breadth to preserve precision”—a philosophy that emphasized broad learning to accumulate knowledge while focusing on in-depth research to master his specialty. Beginning in 1945, Wang held multiple key positions at Beijing Medical College, including Chair of the Department of Medicine, Chief Expert in Internal Medicine, Director of the Professional Research Institute, and significant roles in the Chinese Society of Nephrology. These appointments were a testament to the medical community’s recognition of his meticulous dedication to the field.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Wang shouldered even greater responsibilities. He devoted substantial effort to nephrology, a then largely untapped area of medicine. In 1954, he established the nation’s first Department of Nephrology and advocated for the clinical classification of nephritis in diagnosis and treatment. This concept was widely adopted, significantly advancing both clinical practice and research. Through extensive and meticulous studies, Wang uncovered specific immune phenomena in chronic nephritis patients and the sensitization characteristics of patients with different types of kidney diseases. These discoveries deepened the understanding of nephritis pathology in China and opened new avenues for innovative treatments. He documented his diagnostic and therapeutic experiences in publications, and his name frequently appeared in authoritative journals such as the Chinese Medical Journal and the Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine. His treatment methods and ideas were widely accepted within the Chinese medical community.

In the 1960s, after long-term observations of nitrogen balance in patients with malnutritional edema and nephrotic syndrome, Wang reached a groundbreaking conclusion: positive nitrogen balance (when sufficient high-quality protein is consumed) could serve as a diagnostic indicator for simple protein malnutrition. This meant that for patients with protein malnutrition, restoring normal nitrogen balance—eliminating the positive balance—was essential. This insight provided a critical foundation for diagnosing and treating protein malnutrition. By developing tailored protein intake plans, physicians could help patients regain normal nitrogen balance, promoting recovery and health. Wang’s discovery was of immense significance at the time, profoundly influencing both nutritional research and clinical practice. It underscored that even patients with normal kidney function required a specific standard of protein intake. Based on his detailed observations and experimental data, Wang established clear guidelines that later became a cornerstone for treating such patients.

In 1964, Wang was invited by the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Science and Technology Commission to lead the newly established Nephritis and Metabolism Research Laboratory, one of only 16 national medical research institutes. However, the winds of change soon swept across the country. In 1966, China entered the tumultuous “Ten Years of Chaos” (Cultural Revolution), and Wang’s environment became harsh and unforgiving. During the day, he faced unjust treatment at the hospital, even enduring public criticism. No longer the wise lecturer imparting knowledge or the clinician making rounds, he was reduced to pushing a meal cart as a hospital orderly. Yet, when night fell, the light at home became his companion in the pursuit of medical knowledge. He maintained an unwavering habit of visiting the Union Medical College Library every Sunday morning, a practice that had long been his pathway to accumulating knowledge and enhancing his research capabilities. This discipline laid the groundwork for his swift return to work after the Cultural Revolution, enabling him to continue his contributions to medicine with renewed vigor.

In 1977, with the end of the Cultural Revolution and the resumption of medical work, Wang Shuxian embarked on new research. At the Beidaihe Nephrology Symposium that year, he proposed the clinical classification of glomerular diseases, a framework that has been widely applied in clinical practice in China for decades. These classification standards were built upon the theoretical foundations Wang had laid earlier in his career. Simultaneously, Wang actively guided his team in applying, observing, and summarizing various drugs for treating kidney diseases, continually refining their experiences. These insights became invaluable assets for Chinese physicians specializing in nephrology.

In the realm of traditional Chinese medicine, Wang turned his attention to the study of Astragalus (Huangqi) for kidney disease treatment. His clinical and experimental research on Astragalus spanned decades, as he firmly believed that integrating traditional medicine with Western medicine was the way forward. At the time, as the first Chairman of the Chinese Society of Nephrology, Wang presided over multiple national nephrology academic conferences and the first national nephrology training program. These events played a decisive role in establishing and developing the nephrology specialty in China.

Also in 1977, Wang traveled thousands of miles to Canada to deliver a special lecture—the Bethune Medical Lecture—introducing the world to the current state and achievements of nephrology in China. This marked a significant step in Chinese physicians making their presence known on the global stage. In 1982, Wang edited and published the Chinese Medical Encyclopedia: Nephrology, which laid a solid knowledge foundation for the education and research of nephrology in China. Behind these accomplishments was his relentless pursuit and exploration of the field.

In 1984, his edited work Nephrology was recognized as an excellent teaching reference book. During the process of writing these two books, Wang developed glaucoma. Despite doctors advising him to stop reading after surgery, he persisted, using a magnifying glass to meticulously revise the 2-million-word manuscript, character by character. This dedication exemplified his unwavering commitment to advancing nephrology and sharing his knowledge with future generations.

In the 1930s, Wang Shuxian began his research and practice in the field of diabetes. At the time, internationally recognized treatment protocols for diabetes already existed in the global medical community. However, Wang realized that for these protocols to take root in China, they needed to be closely integrated with the country’s dietary culture. Thus, he delved into developing dietary treatment methods tailored to Chinese eating habits. Wang sought to combine traditional dietary therapy with modern medical knowledge, proposing a weight-based dietary control method that deeply incorporated traditional Chinese measurement systems. This approach not only significantly simplified the diabetes treatment process but also empowered patients to manage their condition more effectively.

To align with Chinese dietary preferences, Wang meticulously designed a diabetes dietary treatment plan that simplified complex food measurement methods, reflecting his philosophy of making medical knowledge accessible to everyday life. In his view, diabetes treatment should not be static but rather a dynamic process of adjustment. His three-phase treatment principle for diabetes remains a highly practical and widely applied medical guideline to this day.

At the time, Wang conducted clinical observations and meticulously studied the records of over 300 hospitalized diabetes patients. To him, each record was a precious clue. Through continuous practice and reflection, Wang proposed the three-phase concept of diabetes treatment: control, regulation, and maintenance. Each phase embodied his rigorous medical understanding and compassionate care for patients. This treatment principle gradually gained acceptance among his peers and, over time, became a universally effective clinical approach, giving countless patients greater confidence in managing their diabetes.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Wang continued to dedicate significant effort to diabetes research. In 1953, he introduced a simplified treatment method for diabetic ketoacidosis. By precisely calculating insulin dosages and observing their interaction with glucose, Wang developed a treatment that avoided hypoglycemic reactions. This method quickly gained traction in hospitals and became the standard protocol for treating critically ill patients.

In 1963, Wang keenly recognized the practical inconveniences of the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) commonly used in China. He turned his attention to the “steamed bread load test”, a reform that better aligned with Chinese dietary habits and clinical needs. This innovation not only addressed the physiological and psychological resistance patients had toward the standard glucose tolerance test but also provided a more culturally appropriate and effective diagnostic tool. Wang’s contributions in this area further demonstrated his commitment to adapting medical practices to the unique needs of Chinese patients.

Professor Zhang Shuji often regarded Wang Shuxian’s teachings as the golden rules of his career. Meanwhile, Academician Lang Jinghe saw Wang’s spirit of dedication and exceptional self-discipline as a model to emulate. Even in the 1960s, despite his advanced age and heavy responsibilities, Wang never ceased his efforts, maintaining his habit of spending weekends at the library for self-study. This habit, unwavering through the changing times, showcased the passion and perseverance of a true medical scientist.

Professor Hu Dayi was deeply impressed by Wang’s rigorous demands on himself—no matter the field, Wang always pursued precision and meticulousness. He consistently required his students to conduct thorough examinations during diagnoses, as even the slightest oversight could lead to misdiagnosis. As a physician, Wang believed that being responsible for patients meant striving for perfection.

Throughout his research career, Wang sought to closely integrate his studies with clinical practical problems, fostering innovation based on theoretical analysis and clinical solutions. He published over 70 papers, but what he took the most pride in was nurturing generations of medical students and postgraduate researchers. Wang embodied a spirit of selflessness, placing little importance on personal fame or gain, often donating his manuscript fees to public welfare causes. He humbly declined honorary titles bestowed upon him, living a life marked by integrity and simplicity, which reflected the essence and aspirations of a true healer.

On the morning of February 4, 1985, as Wang was preparing to head to the hospital as usual, he suffered a sudden cardiac event and passed away at the age of 81. By then, he had devoted 51 years to the fields of medical science and education. Wang’s life was characterized by diligence, rigor, and selfless dedication. Perhaps his passing was ordinary and abrupt, yet it mirrored his life philosophy—always ready to dedicate himself to the cause of medicine. Until the very end, Wang remained the doctor who preferred to be called “Dr. Wang”. His contributions to medicine were like seeds sown in the field of life, taking root, blossoming, and bearing fruit. His legacy continues to inspire and guide future generations in the medical profession.