Year Two
Another Brief Anniversary Post
July 4th marks the second anniversary of Clinical mulch. I'm grateful to everyone who reads the posts and especially to anyone who takes the time to respond, engage, share or otherwise help support the continuation of the publication.
The Numbers
This year I put up 44 posts, which by my calculations is a little over 93,000 words published. There were 49 posts in the first year, but they were generally shorter than the articles from the second year. Word counts in year one ran about 750-1500 words; year two word counts were two and even three times as much, averaging about 2100.
Top Posts of Year Two
Rather than summarizing all 44 posts, let’s look at the top five posts of our second year, according to the number of views. So, counting down, here they are…
#5 The Essence of Five Woods
From Hallowe’en 2023, the lore of the peach, and a look at the #ghostherb, Táo Rén.
#4 Track Wind, Scatter Stasis
A look at Chuān Xiōng from Qīng era and modern perspectives.
#3 Transform Phlegm and Dispel Wind
A look at Bàn Xià Bái Zhú Tiān Má Tāng, with infographic.
#2 Evils Have Entered the Channels
Wáng Xùgāo’s treatise on painful wind. This surprised me a little, as did the #1 post.
#1 Rectifying Counterflow in Metal Season
Acupuncture treatment of cough, from Encountering the Origins of Acumoxa (Zhēn Jiǔ Féng Yuán). The only acupuncture post in the top 5, and one of two in the top 10.
I want to include a couple of honorable mentions, which were published when the subscription list was significantly smaller that it is today, but landed in the top ten in page views:
Honorable mention #1: Always a Divine Response
The ever-popular Guī Pí Tāng. This came in at #7 of the top ten, although it was written almost a year ago.
Honorable mention #2: Brain Heat and Nasal Abyss
Sinus cases from Yè Tiānshì, #9 on the top ten.
What’s Next?
At this point, I plan to continue the mulch but to dial back the posting frequency as I focus on some related projects this writing year (my writing years have long been July through June for a bunch of reasons I won't get into).
I've got some posts I have been working on and will put those up over the next few weeks.
I also have been known to post shorter pieces on Substack notes and Instagram, so give us a follow if you like.
It’s been a great year, I learned a lot in the process and I hope you, dear reader, have found something useful, interesting and/or fun in this year’s mulch.
Until next time, thanks again for reading, and for your support over the past year.
Note: this newsletter is for information purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please seek the opinion of a health care professional for any specific medical issues you may have.