another "as" sentence

Question

The principles of Chinese medicine do not have to await the arrival of illness. Indeed, to understand these principles and to apply them in daily life is as much a part of the Chinese system of health as are the treatment specialisms applied.

My comprehension is:

Indeed, to understand these principles and to apply them in daily life is as much a part of the Chinese system of health as the treatment specialisms applied are (a part of the Chinese system of health).

Anything wrong?

(The translation doesn't agree with my reading. Thanks for your comments.)

Tidus · Accepted Answer

"Indeed, to understand these principles and to apply them in daily life is as much a part of the Chinese system of health as the treatment specialisms applied are."

Looks fine to me.

Marius Hancu · Answer

I think that this specialism is rare, that you don't use properly and that it shouldn't be used here:
-----
spe·cial·ism

Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): -s

1 : specialization in or confinement of interest to a particular field of study, activity, or interest : restriction of concern to one branch or aspect of a wider field (as of knowledge); often : excessive confinement to a http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=specialty<humanists decry the tendency to specialism in modern society>

2 : a field of http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/cgi-bin/unabridged?book=Third&va=specialization : a branch or aspect of something in which exists <the several medical specialisms> <geomorphology and other specialisms inside the fold of geography -- J.K.Wright>

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Cool Breeze · Answer

Tidus"Indeed, to understand these principles and to apply them in daily life is as much a part of the Chinese system of health as the treatment specialisms applied are."

Looks fine to me.

Hi Tidus

Welcome to the Forums. As an aside, I couldn't resist the temptation to point to some other native speakers the fact that you use an infinitive (to understand, to apply) as the subject of a clause. I dealt with this a few months ago and was told that it was 'unnatural' if not downright incorrect. I cited a grammarian or two who approved of such usage. I am very glad that I am not the only one who uses infinitives as subjects, at least one native speaker also does.

Cheers
CB

Maple · Answer

Thank you guys!

Cool Breeze... I am very glad that I am not the only one who uses infinitives as subjects, at least one native speaker also does.....

And here, me, a non-native speaker do that too!

Maple · Answer

oops, I just realized I'd better give out the sourse of this sentence. It's taken from the Complete Illustrated Guide of Chinese Medicine, 1996, by Tom Williams published by Barnes & Noble Inc.)

another "as" sentence

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