Liang Jusheng(1921-2018)，Professor of Internal Medicine, Former Deputy Director of the Pulmonary Department, Renji Hospital

Introduction

Dr. Liang Jusheng was a pioneering physician whose life was dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis. He tirelessly navigated the challenging field of TB prevention and treatment, driven by a profound sense of purpose, clinical skill, and scientific wisdom. In an era when tuberculosis was often seen as an incurable disease, he broke new ground through diligent work and relentless research. His extensive clinical experience and groundbreaking scientific advancements offered hope to countless patients. His tireless dedication was evident in every corner of his work—from hospital corridors and rural village paths to the laboratory bench. He committed his entire being to this mission, confronting hardship and challenge on the arduous journey of tuberculosis control and forging a legacy that was uniquely his own.

The Path to Medicine

A century ago, Xinchang County was a region of majestic mountains and clear rivers, where ancient villages rested in valleys. The smoke from morning kitchens would blend with the dawn mist, painting a serene, pastoral scene. While China was engulfed in war, the farmers of Xinchang still followed the timeless rhythms of life, working from sunrise to sunset.

It was into this world that Liang Jusheng was born on November 26, 1921, to a farming family in Xinchang County, Zhejiang Province. Though not wealthy, his father, Liang Genfu, a merchant, placed great value on education. His mother, Tan Xiufeng, was a constant companion during his formative years.

At the age of five, young Liang entered the affiliated primary school of the Zhejiang Provincial Hangzhou Normal School. Hangzhou, the provincial capital, was relatively developed for the time, but educational resources remained limited. The school, however, provided a nurturing environment that laid a solid foundation for his future learning.

In 1935, Liang excelled in his studies and was admitted to Hangzhou No. 1 Junior Middle School, where he received a more systematic education. However, the outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937 shattered this stability. The conflict soon reached Zhejiang, forcing Liang and his family to flee Hangzhou and begin a life as refugees. That same year, his father, Liang Genfu, tragically died from appendicitis. This devastating loss plunged the family into hardship. Against this backdrop, Liang and his mother returned to Hangzhou, struggling to find a way to survive.

In 1938, back in Hangzhou, Liang enrolled in the Attached School of the Missionary Society, a renowned church-affiliated institution. The school offered a relatively stable educational environment and a safe haven during turbulent times. It was here that Liang was exposed to Christian teachings. Influenced by the clergy, he was baptized and became a Christian.

Liang continued his studies at the Hangzhou Children’s Missionary Society Middle School. Despite the ongoing national instability, his education persisted, and with the school’s support, he completed his secondary education.

Two years later, Liang was admitted to the laboratory of Hangzhou Guangci Hospital, marking the beginning of his medical journey. As one of Hangzhou’s largest hospitals at the time, Guangci’s laboratory was his first true exposure to the world of medicine. His work involved basic medical experiments and laboratory tests, and it was here that he discovered what would become a lifelong passion for the field.

Due to his family’s financial constraints, Liang had to pursue his education through a work-study program. This arrangement tested his resilience but also provided invaluable practical experience. Through continuous learning and hands-on work, Liang came to see medicine not just as a profession, but as a vital means of serving society.

In December 1942, through a friend’s introduction, Liang moved to Shanghai and joined the Shanghai Municipal Second People’s Hospital. This hospital held significant influence in the medical community and offered broader opportunities for professional development. He continued his laboratory work while gaining exposure to the cutting-edge medical techniques and theories of the era.

The following year, Liang transferred to the newly established Shanghai Private Gongli Hospital, which had been founded by patriotic figures like Yan Zhen. Though new, the hospital’s modern facilities and practice conditions attracted many medical talents. Liang continued his laboratory duties while also participating in the hospital’s construction and management.

In the autumn of 1944, Liang decided to apply to the Shanghai Tongde Medical College to further his studies. Tongde was a well-known private medical institution in China at the time, offering a comprehensive medical education system. Here, Liang received professional medical training that spanned both basic and clinical sciences.

During his time at Tongde, Liang mastered advanced medical theories and accumulated invaluable practical experience. Despite the pressures of his studies, he maintained a positive attitude. His diligence and dedication earned high praise from both teachers and peers.

In 1947, Liang suffered another profound loss with the passing of his mother. This personal tragedy further solidified his resolve to pursue his medical career. He channeled his grief into motivation, continuing to strive for his dream.

In February 1949, shortly after graduating from Tongde Medical College, Liang was admitted to Shanghai Renji Hospital, officially embarking on his medical career. Renji Hospital already enjoyed a prestigious reputation in the medical field, known for its advanced equipment and outstanding medical team. Here, he could not only apply his skills but also learn from numerous senior physicians.

During his early years at Renji, Liang continuously enhanced his professional expertise, gradually becoming a cornerstone of the hospital’s laboratory services. His excellence in clinical work earned high acclaim from both patients and colleagues alike.

Growing with Renji Hospital

In July 1949, shortly after graduating from Tongde Medical College, Liang Jusheng began his internship at Renji Hospital. It was a pivotal moment: Shanghai had just been liberated, and the nation was in urgent need of skilled professionals to help rebuild the country and the city.

During his internship at Renji, Liang mastered many advanced medical techniques and began to develop his own working style. He rotated through various departments, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Pediatrics, gaining a comprehensive understanding of their work. Through extensive hands-on practice, he deepened his knowledge of diverse diseases. His dedication and hard work quickly earned him the recognition of hospital leadership and colleagues, who saw his immense potential in the field of medicine.

In 1950, Liang officially became a Resident Physician in Internal Medicine at Renji Hospital. During this period, he took on greater clinical responsibilities. As a resident, he managed daily patient care and participated in consultations on complex cases.

In the years following the founding of the People’s Republic, as national systems were being established, health inspection protocols across various sectors were also being developed. Liang made significant contributions to this effort.

From February to April 1955, Liang’s expertise was recognized when he was selected to serve on a national team of experts dispatched to Xuzhou. He participated in the nation’s first-ever research project on physical examinations for military conscripts. This was a crucial national task and a major test of Liang’s professional capabilities. In Xuzhou, he collaborated with other experts to examine large numbers of recruits, collect data, and analyze results, providing vital input for improving the national conscription system.

Meanwhile, at the hospital and in his clinical work, Liang actively participated in various initiatives. He collaborated with colleagues from different departments on numerous medical research projects, particularly in the field of tuberculosis.

China was undergoing a difficult period of reconstruction, marked by economic depression, scarce medical resources, and social instability, making tuberculosis control an urgent challenge. Tuberculosis was one of the most severe public health crises in China at the time, hindering societal development.

During this period, there was a growing understanding within the government and society of the threat posed by tuberculosis. This led to a renewed emphasis on public health and disease prevention. In the 1950s, the Chinese government and health authorities implemented a series of measures, including tuberculosis screening programs and the establishment of specialized tuberculosis departments, to address this public health emergency.

Liang’s team conducted extensive case analyses of bronchography for various types of pulmonary tuberculosis and published the report “Analysis of 100 Cases of Bronchographic Observations on Several Types of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.” This research provided valuable clinical references and laid the foundation for his growing reputation in the medical field.

In 1957, Liang was transferred to the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at Shanghai Guangci Hospital, where he contributed his efforts to the development of its respiratory services.

During his two years at Guangci Hospital, Liang actively engaged in pulmonary research and co-authored several important academic papers with colleagues. Notably, his 1958 publications, “X-ray and Bronchographic Morphology of Complete Left Upper Lobe Atelectasis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis” and “X-ray and Bronchographic Morphology of Left Upper Lobe Segmental Atelectasis in Pulmonary Tuberculosis,” were significant contributions to tuberculosis research at the time. These studies advanced the scientific development of pulmonary medicine and accelerated the growth of Guangci Hospital’s respiratory department.

Two years later, Liang returned to Renji Hospital as an Attending Physician in Pulmonary Medicine. By then, Renji had become one of Shanghai’s most influential medical institutions. During this period, Liang continued his clinical work while also taking on teaching responsibilities as a hospital lecturer. As an attending physician, he managed numerous complex pulmonary cases, providing patients with high-level medical care.

As part of a nationwide movement to integrate traditional Chinese medicine with Western medical practices, Liang collaborated with Zheng Zhixue and Ye Lingmei. In 1961, they completed a preliminary experimental study on the disinfectant effects of smoke generated from burning moxa leaf, Atractylodes, Angelica dahurica, and realgar. This research explored the application of traditional Chinese medicine in pulmonary diseases, enriching Liang’s exploration of integrated approaches.

In 1962, Liang Jusheng joined the Communist Party of China. His sponsors at Renji Hospital, Yu Guorui and Wu Lisheng, spoke highly of his performance and contributions.

From 1963 to 1965, Liang and his team conducted a survey on bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema in Fengxian County, a suburb of Shanghai. The survey aimed to understand the prevalence and control status of these diseases in rural areas, integrating with the realities of rural healthcare. The findings provided crucial data for developing rural medical services and offered scientific guidance for improving them.

During the survey, Liang and his team went deep into the countryside, understanding local medical conditions and patient needs. They conducted detailed questionnaires, physical examinations, and data analysis on numerous patients. This work gave Liang a profound understanding of rural healthcare, offering new perspectives for his pulmonary research.

In 1965, Liang was appointed Deputy Director of the Pulmonary Department at Renji Hospital, beginning his administrative role in the department. Under his leadership, the department achieved significant success in clinical treatment while also expanding its research efforts, delving deeper into tuberculosis prevention and control.

Also in 1965, Liang, along with Zheng Zhixue and Ye Lingmei, completed the study “Observation on the Efficacy of Pyrazinamide and Ethionamide (1314Th) in Retreated Pulmonary Tuberculosis,” published in the Chinese Journal of Anti-Tuberculosis. This research provided new treatment options for pulmonary tuberculosis, serving as a reference for practitioners nationwide.

From 1965 to 1966, Liang took on a grassroots role, serving as the Instructor and Captain of the Health Brigade in Xuhang Commune, Jiading County. During this period, he faced an extremely challenging work environment but tackled the task with great enthusiasm and professionalism, actively contributing to the development of grassroots public health.

Liang’s responsibilities in Xuhang were broad and complex. He not only organized and managed the daily operations of the Health Brigade but also coordinated with other commune departments to implement public health policies. His duties included health education, disease prevention, medical services, and the development of health facilities. Medical conditions in Xuhang Commune were rudimentary, and public health infrastructure urgently needed improvement. Liang’s work was crucial for enhancing the health of the local residents.

Embracing a New Era of Renewal

By 1976, as China began to emerge from the social upheaval of the Cultural Revolution, Liang Jusheng swiftly refocused his energies, shouldering the responsibility of restoring and advancing pulmonary medicine.

In fact, even towards the end of this period, Liang had already brought a groundbreaking technological advancement to Renji Hospital: the introduction of the flexible bronchoscope. This innovation positioned Renji as a pioneer in Shanghai, enabling advanced procedures like laser therapy and cellular lavage performed via bronchoscopy, and it opened entirely new avenues for the development of pulmonary medicine across China. The application of flexible bronchoscopy allowed doctors to observe the interior of the bronchi and lungs with unprecedented clarity, significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.

Particularly in the early diagnosis of bronchogenic lung cancer, Liang and his team successfully introduced fluorescence diagnostic techniques using low-dose hematoporphyrin laser and the OMA computer system. These new technologies markedly increased the early detection rate of lung cancer, enabling patients to receive effective treatment while the disease was still in its early stages, thus granting them precious chances of survival.

During this period, Renji Hospital also rebuilt its pulmonary X-ray room, upgrading equipment and introducing more advanced radiography and bronchography techniques. This series of technological updates and equipment improvements greatly enhanced the hospital’s medical quality and diagnostic standards, distinguishing Renji as a leading institution in the medical field of its time.

In 1978, Liang was appointed Director of the Pulmonary Department at Renji Hospital and also became Deputy Director of the Internal Medicine Teaching and Research Office. In this dual role, he oversaw the comprehensive management of the department while promoting teaching and research in internal medicine. As Director, Liang was dedicated to introducing modern medical techniques and concepts into pulmonary medicine, injecting new vitality into the hospital’s development.

Under Liang’s leadership, the Pulmonary Department gradually established a systematic diagnostic and treatment system and actively pursued various medical research projects. The department made significant progress in both clinical techniques and scientific research, providing patients with more advanced medical services.

In 1980, Liang achieved another significant milestone by establishing the Lung Cancer Immunology Laboratory at Renji Hospital—one of the first facilities of its kind in China dedicated to lung cancer immunology research. The lab’s founding marked a critical step for Renji in lung cancer research and opened new directions for the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

The laboratory conducted work including cancer cell culture, animal experiments, and immunological and biochemical studies, exploring the pathogenesis and treatment methods of lung cancer. Under Liang’s guidance, the laboratory led several key research projects, including “Research on Immunotherapy for Lung Cancer” and “Clinical and Mechanistic Study on the Treatment of Cancerous Pleural Effusion with Corynebacterium parvum Vaccine.”

Drawing from his origins in laboratory medicine, Liang placed great emphasis on microbiological research, particularly focusing on the Corynebacterium parvum vaccine. In 1982, his team published the research findings “Immunopathology III of Corynebacterium parvum Vaccine: The Effect of Vaccine-Activated Macrophages on Tumor Cells.” This study delved into how the vaccine combats tumor cells by activating macrophages, offering new avenues for cancer immunotherapy.

In 1985, Liang and his team published “Observation on the Efficacy of Different Components of Corynebacterium parvum Vaccine on Cancerous Pleural Effusion (Analysis of 122 Cases)” in the Journal of Clinical Medicine. This study, analyzing 122 patients with cancerous pleural effusion, evaluated the effectiveness of different formulations of the vaccine, further validating its clinical application value.

Between 1986 and 1988, Liang continued to serve as Director of the Pulmonary Department at Renji Hospital, driving innovation and development. During this time, he led the research project “The Therapeutic Effect and Mechanism of CP on Malignant Pleural Effusion,” exploring the role and mechanism of CP (a chemotherapeutic agent) in treating malignant pleural effusion, providing new treatment options and theoretical support.

His team also conducted a comprehensive clinical analysis of 560 cases of pleural effusion, published in General Clinical Medicine, offering invaluable data and guidance for clinical practice.

In 1988, Liang Jusheng, who had dedicated the greater part of his life to Renji Hospital and China’s pulmonary medicine cause, officially retired.

His medical career was not only devoted to the frontlines of clinical pulmonary disease prevention and treatment but also distinguished by his unique perspective and actions. He ventured into the countryside, conducting social surveys to understand the realities of grassroots healthcare, making indelible contributions to improving rural medical conditions and public health. Unlike many physicians, Liang’s footsteps spanned hospitals, villages, and laboratories. His work extended beyond treating illness to driving the advancement of the entire medical discipline and societal progress.

Time moves relentlessly forward, and the flame of life eventually fades. In 2018, Liang Jusheng passed away following an illness. The life of Dr. Liang Jusheng is a legacy of relentless exploration in medical research and profound dedication to clinical practice. It embodies a deep understanding and active fulfillment of social responsibility. His work and research consistently centered on the core goals of improving public health and advancing societal progress.

The life of Dr. Liang Jusheng was a legend, a song of praise, and above all, a guiding light illuminating the path for future generations.

Editor: Chen Qing @ ShanghaiDoctor.cn, 

Note: Chinese Sources from “The Path of Benevolent Medicine” which was published in 2024. It records 90 important medical figures in the history of Renji Hospital. Yewen Renyi (ShanghaiDoctor.cn) team was one of the major writers of the book and is authorized by Renji hospital to create English version on the website of ShanghaiDoctor.cn